Convert STL to PLY

STL, short for Stereolithography, is a widely used file format in the realm of 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD). Introduced by 3D Systems in 1987, it represents the surfaces of a 3D object through a collection of triangles, facilitating precise and efficient model creation. Utilized across various industries such as engineering, manufacturing, and healthcare, STL files are critical for prototyping and producing complex geometries. Their simplicity and compatibility with numerous software applications have cemented STL's importance in the digital fabrication landscape.

The Polygon File Format (PLY) is a versatile file format designed for storing 3D polygonal models. It originated at Stanford University in the mid-1990s to support the Stanford 3D Scanning Repository project. The primary purpose of PLY is to efficiently represent and exchange three-dimensional data, including vertex coordinates, colors, and normals. Its flexibility makes it valuable for various applications such as 3D scanning, computer graphics, and 3D printing. PLY files can store both ASCII and binary data, making them adaptable for diverse processing needs within computer technology.