Convert IGES to IV - 3D File Conversion For Professionals

Convert IGES to IV

IGES to IV Conversion

Discover the simplest way to turn IGES into IV using our powerful tool:

  1. Install Autoconverter

    Download and install Autoconverter on your system. Launch the software to convert IGES files to IV format.

  2. Import IGES File

    Click Open... to load your IGES (.igs, .iges) file, or drag and drop it into the application window.

  3. Export to IV Format

    Use Save As... to export your file to the IV file format (.iv).

Still stuck on IGES to IV conversion? Our practical guides help you complete IGES files conversion successfully:

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.

IV Inventor File

The IV format is a 3D graphics file standard developed by Silicon Graphics (SGI) for representing complete 3D scenes. As a text-based format, it stores hierarchical scene graphs containing geometric shapes, materials, lighting, textures, and environment properties. Closely tied to the Open Inventor toolkit, this format served as a foundational C++ library for 1990s 3D graphics development.

Key Features of IV

  • File Structure: Uses human-readable ASCII encoding with nested node hierarchies that organize 3D scene elements.
  • Format Origin: Developed by Silicon Graphics in the early 1990s as the native file format for their Open Inventor 3D graphics toolkit.
  • Scene Representation: Implements a directed acyclic graph (DAG) structure to define parent-child relationships between 3D objects.
  • Visual Attributes: Stores comprehensive material definitions including ambient/diffuse/specular colors, shininess, and transparency.
  • Texture Mapping: Supports both procedural and image-based textures with UV coordinate mapping.

IV File Conversion

Autoconverter simplifies the process of converting your 3D models into the IV format, ensuring seamless compatibility with both legacy and modern 3D tools. Our IV files converter preserves your geometry, materials, and scene hierarchy in a human-readable structure that remains editable across workflows. Still using legacy Open Inventor tools? Convert modern FBX/glTF models to pristine IV format with Autoconverter today!

IGES vs IV Comparison

Property IGES IV
Extensions .igs, .iges .iv
Name Initial Graphics Exchange Specification Inventor
Versions
Textures
Colors
Geometry components
Readers
Writers