What Is the IGES File Format?
The IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) file format is a standard used to exchange data for product models in design and manufacturing applications such as CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing). This format allows product models to be easily shared and modified between different CAD systems.
The IGES file format can contain geometric or design information about product models. This information can include scale, position, color, material information, and other properties. This format can be used at every stage, from the design stage all the way through to the manufacturing stage of product models.
The IGES format is used across many industrial sectors, such as automotive, machinery, electrical-electronics, mining, construction, energy, and the aerospace industry. It also meets the standards of many countries and is defined as part of the ISO 10303 series.
IGES History
IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) is one of the first widely used CAD data exchange formats, developed in the 1980s.
Surface-Based Structure
IGES generally represents surface-based geometry rather than a solid model; this can sometimes lead to data loss.
Standing Relative to STEP
Although the STEP format is considered more reliable today, IGES is still used for compatibility with older systems.
What Is the IGES Format Preferred For?
When a file is saved in IGES format, it’s intended to be used as a standard for exchanging product model data. The IGES format may be preferred especially for the following situations:
- Sharing product models between different CAD systems: IGES allows product models to be easily shared and modified between different CAD systems. For example, an engineer can create a product model in SolidWorks, then open and modify it in AutoCAD.
- Data exchange between the design and manufacturing stages: the IGES format can be used at every stage, from the design stage all the way through to the manufacturing stage of product models. This makes data exchange between the design and manufacturing stages easier.
- Meeting industrial standards: the IGES format meets the standards of many countries and is defined as part of the ISO 10303 series. For this reason, the IGES format may be preferred to meet industrial standards.
- Interoperability between computer programs: since the IGES format is supported by many CAD and CAM programs, it provides interoperability between computer programs.
Which Programs Support the IGES Format?
The IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) file format is supported by many CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software packages.
The following programs can open IGES files and allow saving files in the IGES format:
Paid software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, Pro/Engineer, NX, Inventor, Alibre, Rhino, SpaceClaim, Solid Edge, MasterCam, Edgecam, PowerSHAPE, and PowerMILL, as well as free and open-source CAD software such as FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, and LibreCAD, also support the IGES format.
Related Questions
IGES defines a part as a collection of outer surfaces rather than a solid volume. If these surfaces don’t fully close, or small gaps remain, the model may not be recognized as a fully solid object after transfer.
IGES is an older standard and primarily focuses on surface geometry. STEP, developed later, is a format that can more reliably preserve solid model data and additional information (such as material and color).
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