How to convert PLY to OBJ
- Drop your .ply file into the box above, or click Choose file.
- Check the 3D preview, size and triangle count.
- Make sure OBJ is selected as the output format. Adjust scale or up-axis if needed.
- Click Download. The .obj file is created instantly on your device.
Why convert PLY to OBJ?
OBJ is accepted by every modelling program; converting a scan from PLY to OBJ makes it easy to clean up or texture.
What changes in the conversion
- Colours are dropped. OBJ only stores geometry.
- Geometry is preserved. Every triangle, with all object transforms applied, ends up in the new file.
PLY vs OBJ
| PLY | OBJ | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polygon File Format | Wavefront OBJ |
| Stores | geometry, per-vertex colours and normals | geometry, normals and UV coordinates (materials live in a separate .mtl file) |
| Colour | Yes | No |
| Textures | No | Yes |
| Units | none | none |
| Exact CAD geometry | No | No |
About the formats
PLY (Polygon File Format) was created at Stanford University in the 1990s for 3D scanning research. It stores polygons or point clouds with optional per-vertex colour and normals, in ASCII or binary form. It is the common output of 3D scanners, photogrammetry and dental intraoral scanners.
OBJ (Wavefront OBJ) was introduced by Wavefront Technologies for its Advanced Visualizer software. It is a plain-text mesh format that stores vertices, faces, normals and texture coordinates, with materials in a separate MTL file. It is widely used to move models between 3D modelling programs such as Blender, Maya, 3ds Max and ZBrush.
Frequently asked questions
Is this converter free?
Yes. You can convert PLY to OBJ for free – up to 3 conversions a day, with no sign-up and no watermark. If you need more, Pro gives you unlimited conversions and batch conversion (free for 7 days).
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly and JavaScript. Your model never leaves your computer, which also makes it safe for confidential parts and patient data.
Is there a file size limit?
There is no fixed limit. Files of a few hundred megabytes work on a typical laptop; the practical limit is your device's memory.