Convert IGES to 3DM

The IGES file extension, short for Initial Graphics Exchange Specification, was developed under the United States Air Force's ICAM (Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing) initiative in the late 1970s to enable standardized digital data exchange across diverse CAD systems. Primarily used for 2D and 3D engineering drawings, IGES files store vector-based design data in ASCII format, facilitating interoperability in aerospace, automotive, and defense industries. As an ANSI standard since 1980, IGES became essential for sharing wireframes, surface models, and circuit diagrams, especially in military and manufacturing applications requiring long-term accessibility and system-independent compatibility.

The 3DM file extension, standing for "3D Model", is associated with the openNURBS initiative, which facilitates the exchange of 3D geometry across CAD, CAM, CAE, and computer graphics software. Developed by Robert McNeel & Associates, it serves as the native format for Rhinoceros (Rhino) software. Introduced to address interoperability challenges, 3DM files store precise 3D models using NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) and polygon mesh representations. This format is widely adopted due to its open-source nature, enabling developers to read and write 3DM files without proprietary restrictions, thus promoting seamless data sharing in 3D modeling workflows.