DAE to IGES Conversion
This guide will show you how to effortlessly convert DAE to IGES in just 3 simple steps:
Install Autoconverter
Download and install Autoconverter or Autoshaper on your system. Launch the software to convert DAE mesh files to IGES format.
Import DAE Mesh File
Click Open... to load your DAE (.dae) mesh file, or drag and drop it into the application window.
Export to IGES Format
Use Save As... to export your mesh file to the IGES file format (.igs, .iges).
Still need a solution for DAE to IGES conversion? Our carefully curated guides make DAE mesh files conversion straightforward:
- Automesher Desktop Application for Windows to Convert 3D File Formats
- SKP to IGES: Export IGS from SketchUp (.skp) File
- Batch Convert 3D Mesh Files with Autoconverter (STEP, STL, OBJ & More)
- How to Change Units in STEP & IGES Files - Convert 3D Model Units
DAE File Format (COLLADA) - 3D Model Exchange Standard
DAE (Digital Asset Exchange) is a widely supported, XML-based 3D file format designed for seamless interoperability between digital content creation tools. Developed by Sony and maintained by the Khronos Group, the COLLADA standard enables the efficient exchange of complex 3D assets - including mesh geometries, materials, skeletons, and animation data—across different software platforms.
Key Features of DAE/COLLADA Files
- Reusable Geometry: Enables multiple objects to reference the same geometry instance, minimizing file size and improving performance.
- Multi-Texture Support: Supports advanced material properties with multiple texture images and coordinate sets for each mesh face.
- Opacity and Object Grouping: Allows control over transparency and organizes objects into named groups for easier scene editing and manipulation.
Convert DAE Files to Other 3D Formats
With Autoconverter and Autoshaper, you can accurately convert DAE (COLLADA) files to other popular 3D formats such as STL, OBJ, SKP, DWG, 3MF, and more. These tools use the open-source OpenCOLLADA framework to ensure full support for both COLLADA 1.4 and 1.5 specifications. Preserve animations, materials, and scene hierarchy with reliable conversion powered by OpenCOLLADA.
Streamline your 3D pipeline with powerful DAE file conversion tools - ideal for game developers, animators, and CAD professionals working across platforms.
IGES File Format - Initial Graphics Exchange Explained
The IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) file format is widely used across CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), and CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) industries for transferring 3D models and complex designs between different software platforms. Developed in the 1980s and standardized by ANSI and ISO, IGES remains a crucial, legacy-neutral format for 3D data exchange, ensuring long-term interoperability.
What is an IGES (.IGS) File?
IGES files store detailed 3D CAD data using a text-based format that can represent wireframes, surfaces, and solid models. It enables seamless sharing of geometric information without dependency on proprietary software, making it ideal for collaborative projects across engineering, manufacturing, and design fields.
Key Features of the IGES/IGS Format
- Text-Based Geometry Storage: All geometric and structural data is saved in human-readable ASCII text, allowing easy manual editing but often resulting in larger file sizes for complex designs.
- Color Information: IGES supports color at the assembly level, preserving important visual distinctions between different components and parts in a model.
- Transparency Limitations: Unlike newer 3D file formats, IGES does not support transparency (alpha channels), meaning that opacity settings in original designs are not retained after export.
IGES/IGS File Conversion and Processing
Autoconverter offers complete read and write support for IGES files using the Open Cascade technology stack, ensuring full compatibility with the latest IGES specifications. It processes IGES data as triangulated mesh geometry for maximum compatibility. For workflows requiring preservation of native NURBS surfaces and smooth 3D definitions, we recommend using Autoshaper, which maintains original surface accuracy throughout the conversion process.
DAE vs IGES Comparison
| Property | DAE | IGES |
|---|---|---|
| Extensions | .dae | .igs, .iges |
| Name | Collada Digital Asset Exchange | Initial Graphics Exchange Specification |
| Versions | ||
| Textures | ||
| Colors | ||
| Geometry components | ||
| Readers | ||
| Writers |