The Complete FBX to IGES Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert FBX to IGES, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing FBX Files to IGES

There are various ways to convert between FBX and IGES. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize FBX files, at scale. It supports IGES, as well as many other file formats (examples: glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are FBX and IGES files commonly used for?

The FBX file is a format mostly used for interactive 3D & rendering applications.
The IGES file is a format mostly used for CAD data exchange and interoperability.

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Comparison of Features Supported by FBX and IGES

FeatureSupported by FBXSupported by IGES
Morph TargetsYesNo
Rigid AnimationsYesNo
Skinned AnimationsYesNo
AnimationsYesNo
Free-Form SurfacesNoYes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsYes0No
Transparent MaterialsYesNo
Vertex ColorsYesPartial1
MaterialsYesPartial2
Scene CompositionNoPartial3
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesPartial4
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatNo5Partial6
Embedded TexturesYesNo
Multiple UV ChannelsYesNo
Normal MappingYesNo
Procedural TexturesPartialNo
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsYesNo
TexturingYesNo

0 - Multiple PBR models are supported as there is no standard for materials in FBX.
1 - Limited color support for visualization
2 - Basic material properties and annotations
3 - Assembly relationships with limited constraints
4 - Basic entity relationships and grouping
5 - Compatibility of all properties strongly depend on particular compatibility of the tools that export / import the DCC file, as there is no clear standard for this format.
6 - Legacy format, superseded by STEP in 1994

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Limitations of FBX Files to IGES Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting FBX files to IGES format:

FBX Feature (not supported by IGES)Limitation Details
Texturing

Texturing Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Texturing illustratedlack of support for Texturing illustrated

Impact:

Texturing describes the process or refining the visual appearance of a 3D model's surface through additional 2D or 3D data, defined in a different reference system. The by far most common use of texturing are 2D texture images, applied to model visual material properties the 3D surface. Other cases include the use of procedural 2D or 3D funtions that produce intensity or color signals, which are then mapped to the 3D surface. For the vast majority of these cases (all of them except for 3D procedural functions), a parameterization or "Texture Mapping" is needed, which maps the 2D content to the 3D surface. Coming from a 2D coordinate space with coordinate axes often entitled U and V (in contrast to XYZ, which are the 3D surface positions), this process of mapping is also called UV Mapping, and it can be done with a dedicated UV map, or through a live mapping (e.g., box mapping). In this example, a texture image is applied to the 3D model to give the control panel a realistic look. Without support for texturing, the panel would have to use a single material instead, or all controls (including text) would need to be modeled through 3D geometry, instead of a 2D texture image.

Texture Transforms

Texture Transforms Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Texture Transforms illustratedlack of support for Texture Transforms illustrated

Impact:

Texture transforms describe transformation operations that are applied to 2D texture images or UV coordinates when using 2D texture data on a 3D surface. They can be used, for example, to make sure that material patterns are using real-world scale when rendered on the 3D surface. In this example, such a pattern is used and scaled with the help of a texture transform. Without support for this feature, the texture pattern shows up at the wrong scale.

Multiple UV Channels

Multiple UV Channels Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Multiple UV Channels illustratedlack of support for Multiple UV Channels illustrated

Impact:

Multiple UV channels allow the optimized and sophisticated use of various 3D modeling features at once. For example, one can use one set of UVs and 2D texture data to model a tiling texture or procedural material, and another UV set to leverage a global lightmap or occlusion map of the 3D model. In this example, a combination of tiled texture (UV channel 1) and baked ambient occlusion map (UV channel 2) is used. Without support for this feature, one needs to either give up the tiling property (e.g., by using a tool like RapidPipline to bake a single texture atlas), or give up the ambient occlusion map, as only one UV channel will be usable.

Procedural Textures

Procedural Textures Support:

FBX: Partial support | IGES: No support

Procedural Textures illustratedlack of support for Procedural Textures illustrated

Impact:

Procedural texture allow the modeling of surface details through mathematical functions, along with artistic control over various parameters. Typically, they are used for patterns like wood grain or other semi-regular structures. Since they are not using any pixels as source data, procedural textures have, in principle, infinite resolution and are very lightweight to describe. In this example, a procedural texture is used to model the look of a wooden material. Without support for this feature, in this case, the wooden parts won't show any visible details.

Embedded Textures

Embedded Textures Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Embedded Textures illustratedlack of support for Embedded Textures illustrated

Impact:

Embedded textures allow the storage and exchange of an entire 3D model and its materials within a single file, by embedding the texture images directly into the 3D file (and not storing them as separate image files). Without support for this feature, textures have to be stored in separate image files, and referenced from the main 3D model file.

Normal Mapping

Normal Mapping Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Normal Mapping illustratedlack of support for Normal Mapping illustrated

Impact:

Normal maps are used to model shading differences that are arising from small geometric details on a surface, such as fabric structures, visible gaps between bricks forming a wall, or rough rock surfaces. In this example, a normal map is used to model a fabric structure. Without support for this feature, the rendered fabric will look smoother than it actually is in the real world, as the fabric structure won't be visible.

Materials

Materials Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: Partial support

Materials illustratedlack of support for Materials illustrated

IGES Notes:

Basic material properties and annotations

Impact:

Materials are a fundamental concept in 3D modeling, enabling colored and - in many cases - photorealistic rendering of the 3D model that they are applied to. There are also some formats that don't make use of 3D materials, for example because they need to solely describe a shape (e.g., for many cases in additive manufacturing). In this example, photorealistic PBR materials are used to equip the 3D model with a realistic look. Without support for materials, the model will have to be rendered with a default material (often a default shade of gray).

Transparent Materials

Transparent Materials Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Transparent Materials illustratedlack of support for Transparent Materials illustrated

Impact:

Transparency is commonly used for see-through objects, containing (usually partially) transparent surfaces. In this example, a transparent material is used to model the glass window of the microwave, so that one can see inside. Without support for this feature, the inside of the microwave cannot be seen, as the window will be rendered as an opaque surface.

PBR Materials

PBR Materials Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

PBR Materials illustratedlack of support for PBR Materials illustrated

FBX Notes:

Multiple PBR models are supported as there is no standard for materials in FBX.

Impact:

PBR materials enable Physically-Based-Rendering (PBR) for a standardized, photorealistic look of rendered images. PBR uses concepts like metallic-roughness or specular-glossiness properties and a microfacet-based modeling of the surface, using a concept called BRDF (Bi-Directional Reflectance Distribution Function). In this example, PBR materials are used to achieve realistic looking plastic and metal materials. Without support for PBR materials, only basic colors and shading can be used (for example, based on more simple shading models, such as the Blinn/Phong model).

Vertex Colors

Vertex Colors Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: Partial support

Vertex Colors illustratedlack of support for Vertex Colors illustrated

IGES Notes:

Limited color support for visualization

Impact:

Vertex colors allow the attachment of colors to each vertex of a 3D model. This can be useful in scenarios such as scientific visualization, or when converting/meshing data from a colored 3D point cloud, for example. On the polygonal surface connecting the vertices, the respective vertex colors are usually smoothly interpolated. In this example, different colors are attached to the different corners of a cube. Without support for this feature, the cube won't have any colors.

Animations

Animations Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Animations illustratedlack of support for Animations illustrated

Impact:

Animations are an important part of many interactive 3D assets, for example in real-time rendering (including games, XR training, assembly instructions, product demos, and other use cases). There are various kinds of animations that can be used on 3D models. In this example model, a rigid animation is used to make the gears spin. Without support for this feature, in this example, the gears won't move.

Skinned Animations

Skinned Animations Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Skinned Animations illustratedlack of support for Skinned Animations illustrated

Impact:

Skinned animations are commonly used for 3D character models in interactive applications, such as games or virtual worlds. They make it possible to easily animate the 3D model using a helper structure based on virtual bones, composing a virtual skeleton for animation control. In this example, a skinned animation is used to pose a 3D character. Without support for skinned animations, the 3D model will remain in its default pose, such as the default T-pose.

Morph Targets

Morph Targets Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Morph Targets illustratedlack of support for Morph Targets illustrated

Impact:

Morph Targets, or "Blend Shapes", are commonly used to animate facial expressions and soft surfaces, for example cloth under a cloth simulation. They model various states of the animations with different vertex positions. In contrast to skinned animations, morph targets do not use any virtual bones, but work solely on the vertex data. In this example, a facial animation is achieved through morph targets. Without suport for this feature, in this example, the face will not show the animation.

Rigid Animations

Rigid Animations Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: No support

Rigid Animations illustratedlack of support for Rigid Animations illustrated

Impact:

Rigid Animations are typically used to animate mechanical parts. In this example, the door of this 3D model of a microwave can be interactively opened or closed, using a rigid animation that gradually changes the 3D transformation of the door. Without support for this feature, in this example, the door will just stay in place and won't move.

Hierarchical Scene Graph

Hierarchical Scene Graph Support:

FBX: Full support | IGES: Partial support

Hierarchical Scene Graph illustratedlack of support for Hierarchical Scene Graph illustrated

IGES Notes:

Basic entity relationships and grouping

Impact:

Scene graphs are one of the most common concepts in 3D computer graphics. By structuring the scene in a hierarchical way, logical parts of it can be easily addressed and transformed. This is useful in many applications, like games or 3D configurators. Without support for this feature, a 3D scene cannot be structured hierarchically, for example objects cannot be logically composed of smaller objects.

What's the best way to get FBX files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using IGES?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to FBX and IGES files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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3D Knowledge Team

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