Supported formats¶
All formats become the same kind of splat object in Maya. Choose a format based on where the file came from and where it needs to go next.
What you can import¶
| Extension | Typical use |
|---|---|
.ply |
Standard high-quality interchange |
.compressed.ply |
Smaller SuperSplat-style packed PLY |
.sog |
SuperSplat / PlayCanvas package |
.splat |
Lightweight web previews |
.ksplat |
Three.js / GaussianSplats3D-style viewers |
.npz |
NumPy archives (research / training pipelines) |
.spz |
Niantic / Adobe compact format |
The import dialog accepts: *.ply, *.npz, *.splat, *.ksplat, *.sog, *.spz.
All of these import with coordinates as written in the file - the plugin does not apply an automatic scale or flip.
What you can export¶
| Format | Quality | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLY | Highest | Largest | Best archive / round-trip |
| PLY + Compress | High (slightly lossy) | Smaller | SuperSplat-friendly packed PLY |
| NPZ | High | Medium-large | Optional Compress (ZIP deflate) |
| SPLAT | Base color only | Small | No higher lighting bands |
| KSPLAT | Depends on mode | Depends on mode | Modes 0 / 1 / 2 |
| SOG | Good (lossy) | Small | Always compressed |
| SPZ | High (slightly lossy) | Small | Always compressed |
Quick picks¶
| Goal | Prefer |
|---|---|
| Keep maximum quality | PLY (Compress off) |
| Smaller PLY for SuperSplat-style tools | PLY + Compress |
| SuperSplat / PlayCanvas | SOG |
| Three.js GaussianSplats3D | KSPLAT (Mode 1 is a good default) |
| Compact Niantic / Adobe delivery | SPZ |
| Quick lightweight web preview | SPLAT |
| NumPy / research pipeline | NPZ |
Format tips¶
PLY¶
Best when fidelity matters. Compress writes a smaller, slightly lossy packed PLY. Name the file .compressed.ply yourself if you want that convention - Compress does not rename for you.
SOG¶
Use a single .sog file. Loose folders (meta.json + images) are not supported - package them as .sog first.
SPLAT¶
Fast and small, but export keeps base color only.
KSPLAT¶
- Mode 0 - highest quality, largest
- Mode 1 - balanced (good default)
- Mode 2 - smallest
NPZ¶
Full-quality attributes. Turn Compress on to shrink the archive.
SPZ¶
Import accepts common SPZ versions; export writes a compact modern SPZ. No Compress checkbox - the format is always compressed.