Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (.iges)
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.