IGES File Format | Convert IGS Files for CAD, CAM, and CAE

Convert polyface mesh to solid and import / export many 3D mesh and solid file formats including STL (Stereo-Lithography), SKP (Trimble SketchUp), OBJ (Wavefront), 3DM (Rhino), and others.

Automapki Application

Overlay DWG drawing entities on top of public satellite imagery provided by Open Street Map, Map Quest, Open Aerial, or any user defined WMS / WTS base layers.

Autoconverter

Import, export, and convert many 3D mesh and solid file formats including STL (Stereo-Lithography), SKP (SketchUp), OBJ (Wavefront), FBX (Filmbox), STEP (Standardized Exchange), and others.

Autoshaper

Convert mesh to NURBS and import / export 3D file formats with NURBS solid shapes including STEP (Standardized Exchange of Product), 3DM (Rhino), IGES, and BREP, with automatic NURBS surface reconstruction.

IGS 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.