How to open a .iges file
Quick, free ways to open IGES on any system.
A .iges file is a Initial Graphics Exchange Specification. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads IGES yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .iges file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .iges. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with FreeCAD or SolidWorks.
- On Mac, use FreeCAD or Autodesk Fusion 360.
- On Linux, try FreeCAD or OpenSCAD (via conversion).
- Still stuck? Convert the .iges to step, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .iges files
Windows
- FreeCAD
- SolidWorks
- Autodesk Fusion 360
macOS
- FreeCAD
- Autodesk Fusion 360
Linux
- FreeCAD
- OpenSCAD (via conversion)
!
Before you open it: Safe. IGES is CAD geometry in text, read by engineering software.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .iges file?
Almost always because no installed app understands IGES. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I open an IGES file?
Use a CAD program: FreeCAD is free and imports IGES, as do SolidWorks and Fusion 360. It is precise geometry, not a mesh.
What is the difference between IGES and STEP?
Both are neutral CAD exchange formats. STEP is newer and carries more design intent (assemblies, metadata); IGES is older but very widely supported.