Convert 3MF to PLY Files

Convert 3MF to PLY

3MF to PLY Conversion

Here's a quick and easy way to convert 3MF to PLY using our converter:

  1. Download & Install:

    Convert your 3MF files to PLY format seamlessly using our Autoconverter - simply install and launch the software on your system.

  2. Import 3MF File:

    Either click Open... to browse for your .3mf file, or drag and drop it anywhere in the application window.

  3. Export to PLY Format:

    Use Save As... to specify both location and filename (with .ply extension) for your exported file.

Having difficulties converting 3MF to PLY? Our detailed guides help you master 3MF files conversion:

3MF 3D Manufacturing File

An open-source XML file format developed by the 3MF Consortium, a collaboration of companies and organizations in the 3D printing industry. It was designed to overcome the limitations of older formats, such as STL, which only store geometric data, by providing a more comprehensive and extensible framework for additive manufacturing workflows.

Main Advantages Over STL

Unlike STL, 3MF can store additional information, making it a more advanced and versatile choice for additive manufacturing:

  • Color Support:

    Defines the color of individual triangles, enabling more realistic and visually detailed prints.

  • Transparency:

    Specifies opacity levels for triangles or vertices, allowing for the creation of transparent or translucent objects.

  • Textures:

    Supports texture mapping by associating 2D images with 3D models, enhancing realism in prints.

  • Metadata:

    Allows embedding custom data such as author, title, description, and license, facilitating better file management and sharing.

3MF File Conversion

Our products, Autoconverter and Automesher Application, are fully compatible with the 3MF file format. They utilize the official lib3mf library to enable seamless import and export of 3MF files. A significant limitation of the 3MF format is its lack of support for group hierarchies. When converting a 3D model containing nested subgroups - often used for organizational purposes - these structural relationships are not preserved in the 3MF file. Despite this, 3MF remains a powerful and modern format for 3D printing, offering a rich set of features that go beyond traditional STL files.

PLY Polygon File

A a simple and flexible file format to store 3D mesh data. It supports vertices, faces (triangles/polygons), colors, normals, and custom properties. PLY is also known as the Stanford Triangle Format as it was developed at Stanford University in the early 1990s. It still remains a popular choice for storing 3D geometry.

Key Features of PLY

  • Flexible Structure:

    Supports vertices, faces (triangles/polygons), edges, and custom data.

  • Properties:

    Can store RGB colors, normals, texture coordinates, transparency, and user-defined attributes.

  • ASCII & Binary Formats:

    PLY files can be saved in ASCII (readable) or binary (compact) form.

PLY File Conversion

Autoconverter is the best tool for converting PLY files because it handles all major 3D formats (STL, OBJ, FBX, STEP, etc.) while preserving colors, textures, and mesh accuracy. It offers fast batch conversions, an easy drag-and-drop interface, and works seamlessly across CAD, 3D scanning, and game development workflows. Try Autoconverter today - simplify your 3D workflow with flawless PLY conversions!

3MF vs. PLY Comparison

Property 3MF PLY
Extensions .3mf .ply
Name 3D Manufacturing Format Stanford Polygon
Versions
Textures
Colors
Geometry components
Readers
Writers