Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) is a file format for transferring graphics data between CAD/CAM systems.
Autodesk DirectConnect supports the import and export of the neutral IGES V5.3 (*.iges or *.igs) format files in the Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Maya (Windows version), Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Opticore Studio, and 3ds Max/3ds Max Design software. See installation information in Install Autodesk DirectConnect.
Import IGES files
- Choose the menu path in your installed Autodesk software product:
Autodesk Alias File > Open or File > Import > File Autodesk Maya (Windows version) File > Open Scene or File > Import Autodesk Showcase File > Import > Import Files Autodesk Opticore Studio File > Import 3ds Max/3dsMax Design Application Menu > Import > Select File to Import dialog - In the browser, select a native IGES V5.3 (*.iges or *.igs) file.
- Click OK, or Open to launch the translator and import the file into the scene.
Export IGES files
- In your Autodesk software, choose File > Save As, or File > Export > Active As
. - On the File Formats menu, click DWG or DXF. For details about the available options, see the Help in the Autodesk software.
- Save to a native IGES V5.3(*.iges or *.igs) file.
Troubleshoot (Autodesk Alias)
If the files you import contain unsatisfactory data, change the following import options in Autodesk Alias:
- Default Trim Curves
-
Specifies the trim curves that the processor uses. You can select parameter space curves, model space curves, or use the flag that is present in the IGES file. By default, the preference flag in the IGES files is used.
- Shrink Surface
-
When turned ON, Alias detects trimmed surfaces with trim boundaries that are the same as, or isoparametric to, the natural boundaries of the untrimmed surface. It then converts these surfaces into Alias surfaces by shrinking the untrimmed surface to the trim boundaries.
When turned OFF, Alias converts all trimmed surfaces of this type to Alias trimmed surfaces.
Types of data imported
The Alias for IGES translator imports ASCII format IGES files with or without linefeed characters at the end of each record. The software does not support Binary IGES files.
The software imports NURBS for this file format and maintains the following information on import:
- Surfaces and curves
- Data organization (groups, layers, visibility, and instances)
- Units
- Colors
- For information about this data in your Autodesk software, see Locations of Imported Data.
- For information about options in Alias for data importation, see the Autodesk Alias Help.
Identify IGES supported entities in log files
The following table shows IGES entities supported on import by Alias for IGES.
| Type | Form | IGES Entity |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | circular arc |
| 102 | 0 | composite curve |
| 104 | 0-3 | conic arc, ellipse, parabola, hyperbola |
| 106 | 1 | copious data |
| 106 | 2 | copious data |
| 106 | 11 | copious data |
| 106 | 12 | copious data |
| 106 | 63 | closed area |
| 108 | 0 | plane |
| 108 | +/- 1 | bounded plane |
| 110 | 0 | line |
| 112 | 0 | parametric curve |
| 114 | 0 | parametric surface |
| 116 | 0 | point |
| 118 | 0 - 1 | ruled surface |
| 120 | 0 | surface of revolution |
| 122 | 0 | tabulated cylinder |
| 123 | 0 | direction |
| 124 | 0 | transformation matrix |
| 126 | 0-5 | rational B-spline curve |
| 128 | 0-9 | rational B-spline surface |
| 130 | 0 | offset curve |
| 140 | 0 | offset surface |
| 141 | 0 | boundary entity |
| 142 | 0 | curve on surface |
| 143 | 0 | boundary surface |
| 144 | 0 | trimmed surface |
| 186 | -1,0,1 | Manifold Solid BRep Object (MSBO) |
| 190 | 0,1 | plane surface (1) |
| 192 | 0,1 | right circular cylindrical surface |
| 194 | 0,1 | right circular conical surface |
| 196 | 0,1 | spherical surface |
| 198 | 0,1 | toroidal surface |
| 308 | 0 | subfigure definition |
| 402 | 7, 9 | associativity instance |
| 408 | 0 | singular subfigure instance |
| 502 | 1 | vertex list |
| 504 | 1 | edge list |
| 508 | 0,1 | loop |
| 510 | 1 | face |
| 514 | 1,2 | shell |
(1)For type 190, 0 means unparameterized surface and 1 parameterized. The plane surface type is unbounded unless it is subordinate to another entity, such as the Bounded Surface Entity (type 143) or the Trimmed parametric Surface Entity (type 144), that references its bounding geometry.
IGES levels
The system adds all supported geometric IGES entities that are associated with IGES level <n> to an Alias layer called LEVEL<n>.
For example, if a 126 B-spline entity directory entry indicates that it is on level 42, then it is added as Layer LEVEL42.