IGES Export Options

You can set the export options when you export SOLIDWORKS part or assembly documents as IGES files.

The IGES translator supports layers when you export an assembly document as an IGES file. You must set the Surface representation/System preference export option to MASTERCAM. The assembly components in the IGES file appear on layers that you can turn on and off in Mastercam®, or in other applications.

To set the IGES export options:

  1. Click File > Save As.
  2. Optional: 3DEXPERIENCE Users: If the Save As New dialog box appears, click Save to This PC.
  3. Select IGES (*.igs) for Save as type, then click Options.
  4. Select from the options described below, then click OK.
    Option Description
    Solid/Surface features
    • Output as

      IGES solid/surface entities

      Exports the data as solid or surface entities. Select Trimmed Surface (type 144) to convert the faces of the part, assembly, or the selected surfaces to trimmed surfaces in the IGES file. Select Manifold Solid (type 186) to export boundary representation (BREP) data to the IGES file. You can also select Bounded Surface (type 143).

      IGES Wireframe (3D curves)

      Converts the solid body to a 3D wireframe representation in the IGES file. Unlike surfaces or faces, you cannot export individually selected model edges to an IGES file. Select either B-Splines (Entity type 126) or Parametric Splines (Entity type 112) depending on the entity types required by the target system. For more information, see the IGES 3D Curves table.

      If you select both of the above options, the model is exported as both trimmed surfaces and 3D curves.

      When you export an assembly as separate files in ALIAS IGES, the origin in the part files is at the coordinates of the assembly origin.

    • Surface representation/System preference The IGES entity types that compose the trimmed surfaces depend on the export format chosen. The Surface representation table shows the IGES entity types that compose the trimmed surfaces.
    Export 3D Curve features Includes 3D curve features in the exported file.
    Export sketch entities Includes sketch entities in the exported file. All 2D and 3D sketch entities are included.
    Use high trim curve accuracy Exports using high trim curve accuracy; the file size is larger than if the check box is cleared. This setting affects files exported both with Trimmed surfaces and with 3D curves. High trim curve accuracy can sometimes help if the target system has trouble importing the IGES file, or cannot knit the surfaces into a useful solid.
    IGES assembly structure

    Save all components of an assembly in one file (assemblies only)

    Saves all assembly components, subassemblies, and subassembly components in one file. Otherwise, the assembly components and the subassembly components are saved as individual IGES files in the same directory.

    Flatten assembly hierarchy (assemblies only)

    Flattens the assembly to one level of only part bodies. A flattened file contains a top-level assembly and a series of parts that contain imported features.

    Split periodic faces Splits periodic faces, such as cylindrical faces, into two. Splitting a periodic face can improve the quality of the export but can affect performance.
    Output coordinate system Select a coordinate system to apply for export. If you select -- default --, no transformation matrix is applied.
  5. Click Save to export the document.