What are IGS files? How to open the IGS . file

This article explains what an IGS file is, how to open it, and how to convert it to other formats like STL, STP, DWG, DXF, and image formats.

What are IGS files?

A file with the IGS extension is most likely an IGES Drawing file used by CAD programs to save vector image data in the ASCII text format.

IGES files are based on the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) and were once a widely used standard for moving 3D models between different CAD applications. However, many programs are also based on the 3D STEP CAD format (.STP file) for the same purpose.

Some files that end in .IGS may instead be Indigo Renderer Scene files used by Indigo's RT or Renderer programs. These files, after being exported from a 3D modeling program like Blender, Maya, Revit, etc., will be imported into Indigo software to create a realistic picture.

IGS is also an acronym for technology terms unrelated to these file formats, such as interactive graphics subsystem (interactive graphics subsystem), integrated gateway server (integrated gateway server), IBM Global Services (integrated gateway server). IBM Global Services) and integrated gaming system.

How to open the IGS . file

You can open IGS files in Windows with:

1. IGS Viewer
2. eDrawings Viewer
3. ABViewer
4. AutoVue
5. SketchUp
6. Vectorworks

A variety of other IGS file viewer programs include:

1. Autodesk's Fusion 360
2. AutoCAD
3. CATIA
4. Solid Edge
5. SOLIDWORKS
6. Canvas
7. TurboCAD Pro

Note : You may need an IGS plugin with some of those programs before you can import files. For example, if you are opening it with SketchUp, try installing SimLab IGES Importer.

FreeCAD is a free IGS opener for Mac and Linux. The TurboCAD Pro and Vectorworks programs listed above can also open files on macOS.

There are online IGS viewers that allow you to upload your files for online viewing. Autodesk Viewer, ShareCAD and 3D Viewer Online are a few examples. Because these services are run through a web browser, you can use them to open files on any system, including mobile devices.

Note : The file can only be opened in some programs after it has been converted. See the IGS converters below for more information.

You can also open this file type with any text editor on any operating system, but it's only useful if you want to see all the alphanumeric parts of the file description. For example, Notepad++ can view text in an IGS file, but keep in mind that doing this doesn't actually allow you to use the IGES Drawing file in the normal way.

If the IGS file you have is in the Indigo Renderer Scene file format, you can open it on your Windows, Mac or Linux computer using Indigo Renderer or Indigo RT.

How to convert IGS . files

Most of the IGS openers from above can convert IGS files to the new file format. For example, eDrawings Viewer can export files to EPRT, ZIP, EXE, HTM and several image file formats such as BMP, JPG, GIF and PNG.

CAD Exchanger is an IGS converter for macOS, Linux and Windows that supports various export formats: STP/STEP, STL, OBJ, X_T, X_B, 3DM, JT, WRL, X3D, SAT, XML, BREP and a handful of image file formats.

To open an IGS file in Revit and similar applications, the file may first be required to exist in the DWG format. Convert IGS to DWG with AutoCAD and several other Autodesk programs, such as Inventor, Maya, Fusion 360 and Inventor.

IGS to DXF conversion can also be done with those Autodesk software applications.

Try using the File menu in Indigo Renderer if you need to convert that IGS file type to a new file format. Most likely there is an Export or Save As option there.

Micah Soto

Update 30 May 2021