Convert IGES to STEP

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 STEP file extension, also known as Standard for the Exchange of Product Data (ISO 10303), is widely used in the realm of 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) files for facilitating data interoperability between different software systems. Initially developed in the late 1980s, it enables the precise exchange of complex product information, which includes geometry, topology, and material properties, ensuring seamless collaboration in engineering and manufacturing projects. Its standardized format is crucial for integrating diverse CAD tools, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing errors in the product development lifecycle.