Free Online PNG to PLY Converter

With our PNG to PLY converter, you can effortlessly convert your PNG image file into a 3D heightmap model, which can then be loaded into your favourite 3D editing software. Our image to PLY tool can batch convert up to 20 PNG files at one time and quickly turn them into 3D models.

Select File(s)

Or drag and drop your files here to upload.
A maximum of 20 files can be uploaded at once.

Please note: Your PNG file, once uploaded to our server, will be deleted 15 minutes after upload, so please download your converted PNG file before this time.

Our PNG to PLY image conversion tool comes with a set of options allowing you to fine-tune the details of how the 3D model is generated. Once you have selected a file, you will see a button, which you can click to reveal adjustable properties such as whether the tool should use a Heightmap or Extrude algorithm to create the 3D model. There are also properties to control the size and detail of the model.

How to Convert your PNG to PLY Online?

Here are two simple steps to convert your PNG to PLY using our fast and free PNG converter tool.

Upload your PNG file

Click the "Upload a PNG File" button, then select a PNG to upload. The maximum file size is 100MB.

Download your PLY

Click the download link to receive your PLY file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I convert my PNG file to PLY?

First, click the "Upload..." button and select your PNG file to upload. Your PNG file will be uploaded to our servers. When the PNG to PLY conversion has completed, you can download your PLY file right away.

How long does it take to convert my PNG to PLY?

We aim to process all PNG to PLY conversions as quickly as possible; this usually takes around 5 seconds; however, this can be longer for certain files, so please be patient.

How accurate is the conversion to the PLY 3D point cloud format?

Our PNG conversion tool will extract only the vertex data from your PNG file. This will then be used to create the final PLY file.

How is the 3D model generated from my PNG image?

Our tool uses a Heightmap process whereby the PLY 3D model is created based on the luminosity of the individual pixels in your PNG image.

Is there a limit to the size of my image?

Yes, to ensure our tool converts the PNG image quickly and with a reasonable final file size, your tool will resize any image larger than 600x600 pixels.

File format information for PNG and PLY

Extension	PNG
Full Name	Portable Network Graphics
Type	Image
Mime Type	image/png
Format	Binary
Opens With	Paint.Net, Photoshop

PNG files are a widely used graphics file format used in areas where high-quality images (often with transparency) are required while also retaining a small file size. They are one of the most common formats of file used for web and print mediums and are particularly useful for logos, icons, and other images where multi-level transparency is desired.

The format itself was created in the 1990's with the main aim of storing computer graphics in a high-quality format while minimizing the required storage space. The longer-term aim was to displace the GIF file format and make PNG the number one format for non-lossy, high-quality image formats on the then-burgeoning world wide web.

One of the selling points of the PNG format is its support for multiple levels of transparency, making it superior to the GIF format, which can only handle a single level of transparency. Also, like GIFs, the PNG format supports palletizing image colours down to 256 or 16 colours to help reduce the file size of the PNG.

Extension	PLY
Full Name	Stanford Triangle Format
Type	3D Model/Point Cloud
Mime Type	application/octet-stream
Format	Text
Opens With	Blender, MeshLab

The PLY format, also known as the Standard Triangle Format, is a popular 3D model file format originally created by Stanford University in the 1990s as a means to store 3D model data in a flexible and expandable format. There can be both binary and ASCII text formats in PLY files.

Both binary and text formats share a common header section that defines what geometric attributes (such as vertices, normals, faces, and colours) are present in the data. It is also possible to specify custom data to be associated with a vertex or object face.

PLY files can be opened with a wide range of 3D editing software; for example, Blender can both import and export to the PLY format with no additional software required.

Information for converting from PNG to PLY

Our PNG converter will convert your PNG file to a 3D model using the Heightmap process, whereby 2D pixels, based on their luminosity, are converted into 3D space to create a full 3D PLY model ready for download for further processing in your favourite 3D editing package or for printing on a 3D printer.