The Complete IGES to VDA-FS Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

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

Converting and Optimizing IGES Files to VDA-FS

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

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

What are IGES and VDA-FS files commonly used for?

The IGES file is a format mostly used for CAD data exchange and interoperability.
The VDA-FS file is a format mostly used for automotive surface data exchange.

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Comparison of Features Supported by IGES and VDA-FS

FeatureSupported by IGESSupported by VDA-FS
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsNoNo
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsNoNo
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoNo
Transparent MaterialsNoNo
Vertex ColorsPartial0No
MaterialsPartial1No
Scene CompositionPartial2Partial3
Hierarchical Scene GraphPartial4Partial5
Scene NodesYesPartial6
Standardized FormatPartial7Partial8
Embedded TexturesNoNo
Multiple UV ChannelsNoNo
Normal MappingNoNo
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsNoNo
TexturingNoNo

0 - Limited color support for visualization
1 - Basic material properties and annotations
2 - Assembly relationships with limited constraints
3 - Simple surface assembly organization
4 - Basic entity relationships and grouping
5 - Limited hierarchical surface relationships
6 - Basic surface organization and grouping
7 - Legacy format, superseded by STEP in 1994
8 - Industry-specific format with limited adoption outside automotive

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Limitations of IGES Files to VDA-FS Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting IGES files to VDA-FS format:

IGES Feature (not supported by VDA-FS)Limitation Details
Materials

Materials Support:

IGES: Partial support | VDA-FS: No 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).

Vertex Colors

Vertex Colors Support:

IGES: Partial support | VDA-FS: No 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.

Scene Nodes

Scene Nodes Support:

IGES: Full support | VDA-FS: Partial support

Scene Nodes illustratedlack of support for Scene Nodes illustrated

VDA-FS Notes:

Basic surface organization and grouping

Impact:

Scene nodes make it possible to address parts of a 3D model separately. For example, a part could be dynamically hidden or shown as part of a 3D configurator. Without support for this feature, a 3D scene will only consist of a flat model, without parts being individually configurable.

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

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 IGES and VDA-FS 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

3D Technical Artists

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