The data can be used to test various graphics algorithms, including polygonal simplification, compression, and surface smoothing. There are a few complications with this dataset that can occur in any 3D scan data: the model is manifold connected and has holes in the data, some due to scanning limits and some due to the object being hollow.[3] These complications provide a more realistic input for any algorithm that is benchmarked with the Stanford bunny,[4] though by today's standards, in terms of geometric complexity and triangle count, it is considered a simple model.
The model was originally available in .ply (polygons) file format in four different resolutions.[citation needed]