IGES Viewer

Open IGES (.iges, .igs) CAD files in your browser with OpenCascade: surfaces and solids from older CAD and CAM systems, in millimetres.

  • Files stay on your device
  • Free, no sign-up
  • Mesh check and printer fit
  • 14 formats

Drop an IGES file to view it

or

STL · STEP · OBJ · 3MF · GLB · glTF · PLY · FBX · DAE · 3DS · AMF · IGES · VRML · ZIP

Opens on your device. Nothing is uploaded.

How to open an IGES file online

  1. Open the file

    Drop .iges or .igs files. The CAD reader (about 7 MB) downloads the first time.

  2. Check size and orientation

    The model stands on the plate in millimetres. Switch to inches, or change the file units or up axis if it looks wrong.

  3. Run the checks

    Read the mesh check, pick your printer to see whether it fits, and use Measure (M) or Section (X) for a closer look.

  4. Save or convert

    Take a PNG screenshot, or save the model as STL, 3MF, OBJ, GLB, PLY or USDZ.

What you can check in IGES files

  • Trimmed surfaces and solids, meshed at Draft, Normal or Fine quality
  • Size in mm or inches from the declared unit
  • Open-edge count showing gaps between surfaces
  • Section view and measuring
  • Save as STL, 3MF, OBJ or GLB

About IGES files

IGES was first published in 1980 and is still the lowest common denominator between CAD and CAM systems. It often carries trimmed surfaces rather than closed solids, so a model can look solid but have gaps between its faces.

The viewer meshes every surface with OpenCascade (the reader downloads once, about 7 MB). The mesh check then shows whether the surfaces close into a solid; if they don't, sew them in CAD or repair the mesh before printing.

IGES at a glance

Initial Graphics Exchange Specification · .iges, .igs

Stores
Curves and trimmed surfaces, sometimes solids
Color
Per entity, rarely used
Units
Declared in the file
Up axis
Usually Z
Meshing
Needs tessellation; surface models may not close into solids
Opens in
Most CAD and CAM systems

IGES was first published in 1980 and is still the lowest common denominator between CAD and CAM systems. It often carries loose surfaces rather than closed solids.

Tips for IGES files

Gaps between faces?

That is normal for surface IGES. Sew the surfaces into a solid in your CAD tool, or try Mesh Repair on the STL.

Prefer STEP

If you can choose the export, STEP keeps solids and colors far more reliably than IGES. The STEP viewer opens both.

Small features

Switch the CAD quality to Fine for small holes and fillets.

IGES viewer FAQ

What is the difference between IGES and IGS?
Nothing: .iges and .igs are two extensions for the same format.

Why does my IGES model have holes?
IGES often stores separate surfaces that only appear to meet. When meshed, the seams become open edges. Sewing the surfaces in CAD fixes it at the source.

Can I convert IGES to STL?
Yes, with IGES to STL or the Save as STL button here.

Is the viewer free? Are there limits?
Free, with no sign-up, watermark or file limit. The practical limit is your device's memory: files of a few hundred MB open on most laptops.

Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Files are read by JavaScript and WebAssembly in your browser and never sent to PrintPal. Only the code is downloaded, and the STEP and IGES reader once, from a public CDN.