MeshLab
3D mesh processing software system
title: "MeshLab" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2005-software", "3d-graphics-software", "3d-graphics-software-that-uses-qt", "3d-modeling-software-for-linux", "computer-aided-design-software", "computer-aided-design-software-for-linux", "free-3d-graphics-software", "free-computer-aided-design-software", "free-graphics-software", "free-software-programmed-in-c++", "video-game-development-software", "software-using-the-gnu-general-public-license"] description: "3D mesh processing software system" topic_path: "technology/operating-systems" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MeshLab" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary 3D mesh processing software system ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox software"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | MeshLab |
| logo | MeshLab logo left eye.png |
| screenshot | MeshLabv121 david.png |
| caption | MeshLab |
| developer | ISTI - CNR |
| latest release version | |
| latest release date | |
| latest preview version | https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases (monthly beta releases) |
| programming language | C++, JavaScript |
| operating system | Cross-platform |
| genre | Graphics software |
| license | GPL - Open source |
| website |
| ::
| name = MeshLab | logo = MeshLab logo left eye.png | screenshot = MeshLabv121 david.png | caption = MeshLab | developer = ISTI - CNR | latest release version = | latest release date = | latest preview version = https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases (monthly beta releases) | programming language = C++, JavaScript | operating system = Cross-platform | genre = Graphics software | license = GPL - Open source | website =
MeshLab is a 3D mesh processing software system that is oriented to the management and processing of unstructured large meshes and provides a set of tools for editing, cleaning, healing, inspecting, rendering, and converting these kinds of meshes. MeshLab is free and open-source software, subject to the requirements of the GNU General Public License (GPL), version 2 or later, and is used as both a complete package and a library powering other software. It is well known in the more technical fields of 3D development and data handling.
Overview
MeshLab is developed by the ISTI - CNR research center; initially MeshLab was created as a course assignment at the University of Pisa in late 2005. It is a general-purpose system aimed at the processing of the typical not-so-small unstructured 3D models that arise in the 3D scanning pipeline.
The automatic mesh cleaning filters includes removal of duplicated, unreferenced vertices, non-manifold edges, vertices, and null faces. Remeshing tools support high quality simplification based on quadric error measure, various kinds of subdivision surfaces, and two surface reconstruction algorithms from point clouds based on the ball-pivoting technique and on the Poisson surface reconstruction approach. For the removal of noise, usually present in acquired surfaces, MeshLab supports various kinds of smoothing filters and tools for curvature analysis and visualization.
It includes a tool for the registration of multiple range maps based on the iterative closest point algorithm. MeshLab also includes an interactive direct paint-on-mesh system that allows users to interactively change the color of a mesh, to define selections and to directly smooth out noise and small features.
MeshLab is available for most platforms, including Linux, Mac OS X, Windows and, with reduced functionality, on Android and iOS and even as a pure client-side JavaScript application called MeshLabJS. The system supports input/output in the following formats: PLY, STL, OFF, OBJ, 3DS, VRML 2.0, X3D and COLLADA. MeshLab can also import point clouds reconstructed using Photosynth.
MeshLab is used in various academic and research contexts, like microbiology, cultural heritage, surface reconstruction, paleontology, for rapid prototyping in orthopedic surgery, in orthodontics, and desktop manufacturing.
Additional images
File:MeshLab snapshot elephant.jpg|Animal. File:Village Bourbonnais.png|Geographical data. File:MeshLab 2020.12 20221011 13 07 25- Meshes.png|Version 2020.12
References
References
- (2009). "Rapid and Inexpensive Reconstruction of 3D Structures for Micro-Objects Using Common Optical Microscopy".
- (2008). "Image-based surface measurement for close-range heritage documentation". The International Archives of the Photogrammetry.
- (2006). "Third International Symposium on 3D Data Processing, Visualization, and Transmission (3DPVT'06)". 3D PVT Symposium.
- (Aug 2011). "Digital preservation and dissemination of ancient lithic technology with modern micro-CT". Elsevier.
- (2012). "Rapid Prototyping in Orthopaedic Surgery: A User's Guide". The Scientific World Journal.
- (15 March 2012). "On the difficulty of increasing dental complexity". Nature.
- (Jan 2010). "Desktop Manufacturing". Make.
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