The Complete STEP 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 STEP to IGES, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing STEP Files to IGES

There are various ways to convert between STEP and IGES. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize STEP files, at scale. It supports IGES, 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 STEP and IGES files commonly used for?

The STEP file is a format mostly used for exchange of CAD data.
The IGES file is a format mostly used for CAD data exchange and interoperability.

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Comparison of Features Supported by STEP and IGES

FeatureSupported by STEPSupported by IGES
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsNoNo
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsNoNo
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoNo
Transparent MaterialsNoNo
Vertex ColorsNoPartial0
MaterialsPartialPartial1
Scene CompositionNoPartial2
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesPartial3
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartialPartial4
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 - Basic entity relationships and grouping
4 - Legacy format, superseded by STEP in 1994

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Limitations of STEP Files to IGES Conversion Workflow

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

STEP Feature (not supported by IGES)Limitation Details
Hierarchical Scene Graph

Hierarchical Scene Graph Support:

STEP: 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 STEP 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 STEP 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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Meet the Author

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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