Convert IGES to 3MF Files

Convert IGES to 3MF

IGES to 3MF Conversion

Learn how to change IGES to 3MF using our powerful converter in just a few steps:

  1. Download & Install:

    Convert your IGES files to 3MF format seamlessly using our Autoconverter - simply install and launch the software on your system.

  2. Import IGES File:

    Either click Open... to browse for your .iges file, or drag and drop it anywhere in the application window.

  3. Export to 3MF Format:

    Use Save As... to specify both location and filename (with .3mf extension) for your exported file.

Finding IGES to 3MF conversion challenging? These trusted resources make IGES files conversion simple:

IGS Initial Graphics Exchange File

A file format widely used in the fields of CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), and CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering), as it enables to transfer of 3D models and designs across different platforms and applications. Developed in the 1980s and standardized by ANSI and ISO, IGES remains a foundational yet legacy-neutral format for 3D data exchange.

Key Features of IGES/IGS

  • Text-Based Geometry Storage:

    The IGES format stores all geometric data in human-readable text, enabling easy editing but potentially creating large files when exporting complex models with dense meshes.

  • Color Representation:

    IGES maintains color information at the assembly level, preserving visual clarity in multi-component designs.

  • Transparency Limitations:

    Unlike modern formats, IGES lacks alpha channel support, meaning transparency settings from original 3D designs won't carry through in exported files.

IGES/IGS File Conversion

Autoconverter provides full read/write capabilities for IGES files through the Open Cascade framework, ensuring compatibility with the latest specifications. The application works exclusively with triangulated mesh geometry when processing IGES files. For projects requiring native NURBS surface preservation, we recommend using Autoshaper, which maintains the original smooth surface definitions throughout conversion.

3MF 3D Manufacturing File

An open-source XML file format developed by the 3MF Consortium, a collaboration of companies and organizations in the 3D printing industry. It was designed to overcome the limitations of older formats, such as STL, which only store geometric data, by providing a more comprehensive and extensible framework for additive manufacturing workflows.

Main Advantages Over STL

Unlike STL, 3MF can store additional information, making it a more advanced and versatile choice for additive manufacturing:

  • Color Support:

    Defines the color of individual triangles, enabling more realistic and visually detailed prints.

  • Transparency:

    Specifies opacity levels for triangles or vertices, allowing for the creation of transparent or translucent objects.

  • Textures:

    Supports texture mapping by associating 2D images with 3D models, enhancing realism in prints.

  • Metadata:

    Allows embedding custom data such as author, title, description, and license, facilitating better file management and sharing.

3MF File Conversion

Our products, Autoconverter and Automesher Application, are fully compatible with the 3MF file format. They utilize the official lib3mf library to enable seamless import and export of 3MF files. A significant limitation of the 3MF format is its lack of support for group hierarchies. When converting a 3D model containing nested subgroups - often used for organizational purposes - these structural relationships are not preserved in the 3MF file. Despite this, 3MF remains a powerful and modern format for 3D printing, offering a rich set of features that go beyond traditional STL files.

IGES vs. 3MF Comparison

Property IGES 3MF
Extensions .igs, .iges .3mf
Name Initial Graphics Exchange Specification 3D Manufacturing Format
Versions
Textures
Colors
Geometry components
Readers
Writers