IGES stands for Initial Graphics Exchange Specification. It is a widely used file format in computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) industries. Originally developed in 1979, IGES serves as a neutral data exchange format, allowing interoperability and facilitating the sharing of 2D and 3D design data between different CAD systems.
IGES files store geometric data, such as points, curves, and surfaces, as well as associated attributes like colors, layers, and annotations. The format represents the geometry using a set of mathematical representations, like Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS), which allows for precise and accurate representation of complex shapes. Moreover, IGES files can also contain non-graphical data, like product structure information or manufacturing instructions.
This format helps overcome the issue of incompatible CAD systems since it allows for the transfer of design information between different software applications. It ensures that the essential geometric information is preserved, thus enabling seamless collaboration and data exchange along the entire design and manufacturing process.
However, due to its age and limited support for advanced features, IGES has been largely replaced by more modern and comprehensive formats like STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data). Nonetheless, IGES files can still be encountered in legacy systems or used as an intermediate format for converting data between different CAD programs.
