CG

Software That Opens & Edits IGES Files (11 Tools, 2026)

IGES is the older neutral CAD exchange format, predating STEP and historically used heavily in aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding workflows where surface geometry (not solids) was the primary representation. IGES carries NURBS surfaces, curves, and analytic primitives, but lacks STEP's solid topology and PMI. Most mechanical CAD tools still read and write IGES for backwards-compatibility with legacy data.

Full read & write support (11)

  • AD
    Altium Designer logo
    Altium DesignerRead & Write
    from $3850 · Windows · ★ 4.9

    The professional standard for PCB and electronics design.

  • O
    Onshape logo
    OnshapeRead & Write
    from $1500 · Web / iOS / Android · ★ 4.9

    The professional CAD system built for agile cloud development.

  • R3
    Rhino 3D logo
    Rhino 3DRead & Write
    from $995 · Windows / macOS · ★ 4.9

    The industry standard for complex NURBS modeling and computational design.

  • S
    SolidWorks logo
    SolidWorksRead & Write
    from $1295 · Windows · ★ 4.9

    The de-facto industry standard for 3D parametric mechanical design.

  • A
    AutoCAD logo
    AutoCADRead & Write
    from $255 · Windows / macOS / Web / Android / iOS · ★ 4.8

    The global industrial standard for 2D drafting and 3D modeling.

  • F3
    Fusion 360 logo
    Fusion 360Read & Write
    from $85 · Windows / macOS / Android / iOS · ★ 4.8

    The cloud-native powerhouse for integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE.

  • PC
    PTC Creo logo
    PTC CreoRead & Write
    from $2430 · Windows · ★ 4.8

    The original parametric 3D CAD powerhouse.

  • SN
    Siemens NX logo
    Siemens NXRead & Write
    from $6000 · Windows / Linux · ★ 4.8

    Powerful high-end CAD/CAM/CAE suite for advanced manufacturing.

  • AI
    Autodesk Inventor logo
    Autodesk InventorRead & Write
    from $315 · Windows · ★ 4.7

    Professional-grade 3D mechanical design and simulation.

  • C
    CATIA logo
    CATIARead & Write
    from $4500 · Windows · ★ 4.7

    The high-end PLM standard for Aerospace and Automotive engineering.

  • F
    FreeCAD logo
    FreeCADRead & Write
    Free · Windows / macOS / Linux · ★ 4.2

    The premier open-source 3D parametric modeler.

Frequently asked

Should I use IGES or STEP?
STEP is preferred for new work — it carries solid topology and PMI. Use IGES only when exchanging with legacy systems or surface-only workflows (industrial design, shipbuilding).

Other file formats