Native CAD interfaces
Direct support for the CAD formats listed here.
PLY-3DS-WRL-OBJ Viewer
Open 3D visualization files
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Cost-effective CAD converter for all formats
The 3D-Tool Viewer opens PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ files without any additional CAD software.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter exports visualization models to formats such as JT, STL, U3D, 3D-PDF, and 3D-HTML.
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Windows support
Compatible with current Windows versions.
Opening 3D Scans and Older Visualization Files
3D-Tool opens PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ files even when they come from a 3D scan or were created with software that barely exists today, such as old 3DS or WRL archives. That means opening a model without first hunting for a matching legacy program or a browser plugin that no longer runs in modern browsers.
The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer measures and analyzes these models directly, for example to check the dimensions of a 3D scan or inspect an older visualization model before reusing it, including volume, weight, and wall thickness calculations.
What are PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ files?
- These formats represent a 3D model by breaking its surface down into thousands of triangles. This type of 3D data is called MESH data, faceted data, or visualization data.
- PLY files (Polygon File Format) are inspired by the OBJ format but provide extensions for colors, transparency, textures, and normals.
- 3DS files (3D-Studio) are an older file format from Autodesk 3DS Max, the 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software.
- WRL files (VRML, Virtual Reality Modeling Language) are a 3D format developed specifically for the internet and a predecessor of the newer X3D standard.
- OBJ files (Wavefront OBJ) store only the geometric shapes of a 3D model. Colors, reflection, transparency, and similar properties are stored in separate material files with the MTL file extension.
PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ file versions
- PLY files can be stored as ASCII text or in binary form. The file format has remained unchanged since the mid-1990s.
- 3DS files originally come from the 1990s DOS version of Autodesk 3DS. However, they are still used today and supported by many programs, especially because of their small file size.
- WRL files can be available in VRML version 1.0 or 2.0. Version 1.0 was introduced in 1995. The extensively revised and expanded version 2.0 followed in 1997. X3D, the successor to VRML, was introduced in 2004.
- OBJ files (3D geometries) and the associated MTL files (color and reflection) were developed in 1990 for Wavefront Advanced Visualizer. The format has remained unchanged since then. Not all specifications from that period are supported by current software, especially with regard to MTL files.
PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ characteristics
PLY and OBJ files, and less commonly WRL files, are used not only in visualization and animation but also in 3D printing and rapid prototyping. Unlike STL files, color information is officially specified. However, not all surface properties are interpreted correctly by modern rendering software.
The file format with the most options is WRL in version VRML 2.0. A VRML scene can contain multiple 3D objects, including hierarchy, animations, and multimedia elements. A scene can also consist of several networked WRL files, and the objects can be contained in different levels of detail.
How do I open PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ files?
Most 3D printing and rapid prototyping programs should support OBJ and PLY files. Modern rendering software such as Blender and 3DStudio MAX import all four formats, possibly via plugins.
There are also various free online viewers. However, the focus here is on the presentation and less on measuring and analyzing the design.
The 3D-Tool Viewer opens PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ files as well as many other 3D formats. It provides extensive measurement tools, including calculation of volume, weight, and the minimum bounding box, as well as wall thickness analysis.
How do I convert PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ files?
The conversion between triangulated formats is relatively simple. Even the Basic version of the 3D-Tool CAD Viewer supports the import and export of all common Mesh formats, including U3D and 3D PDF.
On the Internet you often find the question of how to convert OBJ to STEP, or generally triangulated formats such as STL, 3MF, 3DS, PLY into an exact 3D CAD format. Automatic conversion is not possible. Using special software, the many triangles of the model must be converted more or less manually into exact surfaces (reverse engineering).
Test the PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ viewer for free
3D-Tool is an intuitive CAD Viewer available in one free and three commercial license versions, always with professional information and measurement functions.
- The 3D-Tool Free Viewer opens STL and 3MF, but it cannot export 3D formats. Simply download it from our website and start using it.
- 3D-Tool Basic opens 3D visualization formats such as STL, 3DS, OBJ, PLY, and VRML.
- 3D-Tool Advanced additionally opens the 3D exchange formats STEP, IGES, VDA, SAT, and Parasolid.
- 3D-Tool Premium, including the 3D-NativeCAD Converter, opens and converts native 3D models from CATIA, Designcenter (Siemens NX), Creo, Inventor, Designcenter Solid Edge, SolidWorks, Rhino, and AutoCAD, as well as the 3D exchange formats STEP, IGES, VDA, SAT, Parasolid, and JT.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What model data do PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ files contain?
These formats are used for polygon meshes in 3D visualization. Model surfaces are represented by facets rather than the exact CAD surfaces of a BREP model. They are used for tasks such as rendering, animation, and, depending on the format, 3D printing. Converting a mesh between these formats does not reconstruct exact CAD geometry from its facets.
What is the MTL file that accompanies an OBJ model?
The MTL file stores material information such as colors, reflection, and transparency separately from the OBJ geometry. Applications may interpret these properties differently. When sharing an OBJ model, include its associated material file and any referenced textures. Otherwise, the recipient may receive only the geometry. The additional information needed for the intended appearance may then be missing.
Is WRL the same as VRML?
WRL is the file extension for VRML files. VRML scenes can contain multiple 3D objects, a hierarchy, animations, and multimedia elements. Files may use VRML 1.0 or 2.0. The file extension alone does not identify the version or guarantee that a viewer supports every scene feature. For exchange, the receiving application's capabilities also matter.
Which 3D-Tool edition opens PLY, 3DS, WRL, and OBJ?
3D-Tool Basic opens these visualization formats and supports conversion between common mesh formats. It also provides measurement tools and wall thickness analysis. The Free Viewer opens STL and 3MF, not these four formats. A paid edition is therefore required for opening and converting these four formats with 3D-Tool.
Can 3D-Tool convert OBJ or PLY to STEP?
No. Conversion between mesh formats preserves the model as visualization data. Reconstructing exact CAD surfaces from an OBJ or PLY mesh requires reverse engineering with specialized software. If STEP geometry is needed for further CAD processing, request an exact CAD model from the sender where possible. Simply changing the file extension does not change the geometry type.