IGES Files (*.igs, *.iges)
The IGES translator can import and export IGES surfaces and BREP solids.
These IGES entity types are supported for import and export, except where noted.
| IGES Entity Type | Entity Name |
|---|---|
| 514 | Shell Entity |
| 510 | Face Entity |
| 508 | Loop Entity |
| 504 | Edge Entity |
| 502 | Vertex Entity |
| 416 | External reference entity |
| 408 | Singular subfigure instance entity |
| 406 Form 12 | External reference file |
| 402 Form 7 | Group entity |
| 314 | Group entity |
| 308 | Subfigure definition entity |
| 198 | Toroidal Surface |
| 196 | Spherical Surface |
| 194 | Right Circular Conical Surface |
| 192 | Right Circular Cylindrical Surface |
| 190 | Right Circular Cylindrical Surface |
| 186 | Manifold Solid B-Rep Object Entity |
| 144 | Trimmed (parametric) surface |
| 143 Import only | Bounded Surface |
| 142 | Curve on a parametric surface |
| 140 Import only | Offset surface |
| 128 | Rational B-spline surface |
| 126 | Rational B-spline curve |
| 124 | Transformation matrix entity |
| 123 | Direction entity |
| 122 | Tabulated cylinder |
| 120 | Surface of revolution |
| 118 Import only | Ruled surface |
| 116 | Point |
| 114 Import only | Parametric spline surface |
| 112 | Parametric spline curve |
| 110 | Line |
| 108 | Plane |
| 106 form 12 Import only | Copious Data—3D Piecewise linear curve |
| 106 form 11 Import only | Copious Data—2D Piecewise linear curve |
| 104 Import only | Conic arc |
| 102 | Composite curve |
| 100 | Circular arc |
Import
If there is wireframe geometry in an imported file, the software reads the IGES data and forms curves for the IGES wireframe entities. The 2D geometry is imported into a sketch rather than imported as reference curves.
If you want the software to try to form a solid from imported IGES data, export the solid or surfaces from the source system as trimmed surfaces (Entity type 144) or as untrimmed surfaces (Entity types 128, 122, 120, 118, 114). Also, set the number of significant digits (precision) as high as possible to ensure accurate translation.
You can import 3D curves in an IGES file as 3D sketch entities. In the Import Options dialog box, select the Free point/curve entities check box and click Import as sketch(es).
The IGES translator supports colors when you import curves.
You can select the levels to import for IGES files that contain multiple levels. Select the Show IGES levels option in the Import Options dialog box to display the IGES-In Surfaces, Curves, and Levels dialog box.
When imported surface data is not smooth, SOLIDWORKS tries to repair the surfaces.
Export
The IGES translator exports SOLIDWORKS part and assembly documents as IGES files. Parts and surfaces exported to IGES format retain their part or surface color, and are displayed in color when in Shaded mode.
You can export both surfaces and solids in the same IGES file.
If you export a SOLIDWORKS assembly document that has hidden or suppressed components to IGES format, a dialog box appears asking if you want to resolve these components.
- Click Yes, and all the components, including the hidden or suppressed ones, are exported.
- Click No, and the hidden or suppressed components are not exported.
The IGES translator supports layers when you export an assembly document as an IGES file. In the Export Options dialog box, you must set the Surface representation/System preference 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.