Index: py/scripts/addons/io_mesh_ply/__init__.py
===================================================================
--- py/scripts/addons/io_mesh_ply/__init__.py	(revision 3179)
+++ py/scripts/addons/io_mesh_ply/__init__.py	(working copy)
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
             )
     use_normals = BoolProperty(
             name="Normals",
-            description="Export Normals for smooth and hard shaded faces",
+            description="Export Normals for smooth and hard shaded faces. Hard shaded faces will be exported as individual faces",
             default=True,
             )
     use_uv_coords = BoolProperty(
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
             )
     use_colors = BoolProperty(
             name="Vertex Colors",
-            description="Exort the active vertex color layer",
+            description="Export the active vertex color layer",
             default=True)
 
     @classmethod
Index: py/scripts/addons/io_mesh_ply/export_ply.py
===================================================================
--- py/scripts/addons/io_mesh_ply/export_ply.py	(revision 3179)
+++ py/scripts/addons/io_mesh_ply/export_ply.py	(working copy)
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
     vert_count = 0
     for i, f in enumerate(mesh.tessfaces):
 
-        smooth = f.use_smooth
+        smooth = not use_normals or f.use_smooth
         if not smooth:
             normal = tuple(f.normal)
             normal_key = rvec3d(normal)