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Export Points

In one sentence: Save a Points::Feature object from the document to a point cloud file on disk.

Overview

Workbench: Points
Menu: Points → Export Points…
Shortcut: none

Writes one or more selected Points::Feature objects to files. For each selected cloud, a save dialog appears in turn asking for the file name and format. Supported output formats are .asc, .pcd, and .ply.

Intuition

Export Points is the reverse of Import Points: it takes a cloud that lives inside FreeCAD (possibly modified, cut, or merged) and writes the coordinates back to a file that other software can read. Think of it as a Save As for point cloud data.

When to use it

  • You have modified a cloud inside FreeCAD (cut, merged, converted from geometry) and want to save the result for use in another application.
  • You want to pass a cloud from FreeCAD to CloudCompare, Meshroom, or a custom processing pipeline.
  • You need a PLY file of a cloud for 3-D printing or web visualisation.

When NOT to use it

  • Don't use this to save the FreeCAD document — use File → Save (.FCStd).
  • Don't expect E57 output — the E57 format is supported for import only. For E57 export, use CloudCompare.
  • Don't use this for mesh export — if you need an STL or OBJ, use the Mesh workbench → Export Mesh.

Step-by-step

  1. Select one or more Points::Feature objects in the document tree.
  2. Choose Points → Export Points….
  3. A save dialog appears for the first selected cloud. Choose a file name and format (.asc, .pcd, or .ply).
  4. Click Save.
  5. If you selected multiple clouds, the dialog repeats for each one.

Parameters

Input Description
Selection One or more Points::Feature objects
File path The destination file path chosen in the save dialog
Format Determined by the file extension you type in the dialog

Supported output formats

Extension Format Notes
.asc ASCII XYZ Plain-text, one point per line; universally readable
.pcd Point Cloud Data PCL format; supports colour and normals if present
.ply Polygon File Format Binary or ASCII; supports colour and normals if present

E57 not supported for export

The E57 format can be imported but not exported by FreeCAD. For E57 output, load the PLY file in CloudCompare and re-save as E57.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Multiple clouds produce multiple dialogs

Cause: Each selected cloud opens its own save dialog.
Fix: This is expected behaviour. Name each file before clicking Save. If you want a single file, merge the clouds first with Merge Point Clouds.

Colour data not preserved in ASC format

Cause: The ASC format stores only XYZ coordinates.
Fix: Export as PLY or PCD if you need to preserve RGB, normals, or intensity attributes.

Python API

import Points
import FreeCAD as App

doc = App.ActiveDocument
cloud = doc.getObject("PointsFeature")   # replace with actual object name

# Export to PLY
Points.export([cloud], "/path/to/output.ply")

# Export multiple clouds into separate files
cloud2 = doc.getObject("PointsFeature001")
Points.export([cloud],  "/path/to/cloud1.ply")
Points.export([cloud2], "/path/to/cloud2.ply")

See also