Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.PTS
File Type
Point Cloud Data File
Category
Data
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .pts file format
The PTS file format is a widely used ASCII-based data format primarily utilized in 3D scanning, surveying, and computer-aided design (CAD) workflows. It stores point cloud data, which consists of a collection of points in a 3D coordinate system, typically representing the external surface of an obj…
File extension
.PTS
File type
Point Cloud Data File
Category
Data
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .pts file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .pts.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .pts file?
File extension details and usage information
The PTS file format is a widely used ASCII-based data format primarily utilized in 3D scanning, surveying, and computer-aided design (CAD) workflows. It stores point cloud data, which consists of a collection of points in a 3D coordinate system, typically representing the external surface of an object or a physical environment. Each line in a PTS file usually contains the X, Y, and Z coordinates of a point, often accompanied by intensity values and sometimes RGB color data. Because it is a plain-text format, it is highly portable and human-readable, making it easy to debug or parse with custom scripts. However, due to the lack of binary compression, PTS files can become extremely large when representing high-density scans, leading to slower load times compared to binary formats like LAS or PLY. It is the standard output for many terrestrial laser scanners and is frequently used as an intermediate format for importing raw scan data into modeling software for further processing, such as mesh generation, surface reconstruction, or architectural analysis.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .pts files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
Can .pts files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .pts file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .pts file.
Why can't I open a .pts file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .pts format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .pts files
To open a .pts file, use software that supports this file format.
- Autodesk ReCap
- CloudCompare
- Leica Cyclone
- MeshLab
- PCL (Point Cloud Library)
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .pts file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.