Convert STEP to PLY

What is STEP file?

The STEP (.STP) file format is a widely-adopted 3D model standard used by major CAD programs and software packages, such as SOLIDWORKS, and the Autodesk® Inventor® suite. It is designed to accurately represent precise three-dimensional shapes of physical objects, which makes it an ideal format for the transfer and storage of designs between CAD applications and engineering systems. [ ⏩ ] STEP file extension

What is PLY file?

The .PLY file extension is an ASCII encoded Polygon Model File used primarily for storing mathematical models rendered in a 3D space. It is most often used in conjunction with 3D Studio Max, Maya and other 3D rendering software. The PLY format is open source and maintained by the Computer Graphics Laboratory at Stanford University. [ ⏩ ] PLY file extension

How to convert the file from STEP to PLY?

To successfully convert the STEP file to PLY, you should install one of the applications from the list. After installing the software, open the program and select the file you want to convert (file-name.STEP). The next step is to select the target format from the list, in this case PLY (usually converters allow you to convert to several different formats, so check out their features - maybe one of the available formats will suit you more than PLY).

What is a file conversion?

A data conversion is normally an automated process to some extent. The effect of the operation of one program is automatically the input product of another application. If that does not happen we need to help the process a little bit and convert the file on our own, e.g. STEP to PLY. To obtain a matched structure of the data, it is necessary to use an appropriate converter.

Program for converting STEP files to PLY files is a kind of a "binary code translator" compensating for the differences in the code or translating it in such a way so that another application could use it. For us, as users, the visible change will be only another file extension. (After converting the file, it will be the extension PLY, while before this step we had the STEP file). For the programs, the difference is on a much higher level – either the application will be able to open a new PLY file, or not.

Other STEP and PLY file conversions