3D Convert What is an E57 file?
E57 is a standard file format for 3D imaging data, especially terrestrial laser scans.
The format is defined by ASTM (document family around E2807). An .e57 file can hold one or more point clouds (scans), optional colour and intensity, sensor poses, and sometimes embedded 2D images such as panoramas.
What E57 is good for
- Exchanging scans between scanner software and downstream tools
- Keeping multiple stations in one file with registered poses
- Carrying rich attributes (RGB, intensity, invalid-point flags)
Why people convert E57
Many mesh viewers, game engines, and research pipelines prefer simpler formats like PLY or LAS/LAZ. Converting E57 to PLY makes the points easy to open in those tools. Use our free E57 → PLY converter — it runs in your browser and does not upload the scan.