Open PLY File
The PLY file format, also known as the Polygon File Format or the Stanford Triangle Format, is used for storing three-dimensional data. It was principally designed to store three-dimensional data from 3D scanners. The data stored in a PLY file includes descriptions of one or more 3D models.
PLY Files for 3D Models
PLY files are widely used for a range of 3D graphics applications. They contain object information - data that describes the geometry of a single object. This data may include vertex coordinates, color and transparency information, surface normals, texture coordinates and data from custom attributes.
Opening and Using PLY Files
Opening a PLY file requires a 3D model viewer or CAD software. There are many programs available that can open PLY files, including:
- Blender: A free and open source 3D creation suite that supports the entirety of the 3D pipelinemodeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking.
- Meshmixer: A free tool for making crazy-ass 3D stuff without too much hassle.
- Rhino: A 3D modeler used to create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes.
These software programs allow you to view the 3D object represented by the PLY file and often, manipulate it in various ways.
PLY Format Specifics
A PLY file consists of a header, followed by a list of vertices and then, a list of polygons. The header specifies how many vertices and polygons are in the file, along with properties associated with the vertices and polygons. Each vertex is specified with floating-point values representing X, Y, and Z coordinates. Polygons are specified as lists of indices into the list of vertices.
PLY File Important Information
PLY files play a crucial role in 3D graphics applications. The information in these files enables the representation of detailed 3D models in a standardized format, allowing these models to be easily shared and manipulated. Understanding the PLY format is a crucial first step for anyone interested in working with 3D graphics.