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How to convert IGES (.igs) to X3D (VRML2, VRML97)?

PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

IGES

IGES was the defacto 'go-to' MCAD translation file format but has long since been overtaken by the STEP file format. IGES and STEP are equally good file formats to translate CAD and MCAD model data files but it all depends on how well the files are exported from the corresponding MCAD modeller software.

As an ANSI standard since 1980, IGES has been used in the automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding industries. Version 5.3 (1996) is the last published and stable standard of IGES. IGES is one of the original CAD vendor-neutral 3D data translation file formats which was designed for high fidelity data exchange between all major professional 3D modelling applications. IGES uses the .igs and .iges file extensions.

Okino's PolyTrans|CAD provides for a defacto 3D IGES file conversion solution used by the world's primary & professional engineering, aerospace, military, corporate, animation/multi-media and VR/AR industries.

A much deeper overview plus explanation of IGES, and how it can be best used + understood, is outlined in this Okino WEB page. It is vitally important to understand the differences between "old school" and "new school" IGES files, as this is little understood by most 3D graphics users.

X3D

X3D is the XML-based replacement to the venerable VRML2/VRML97 (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) file format of the 1985-era. X3D extends VRML2 with support for CAD, geospatial, humanoid animation and NURBS. It also provides for multi-stage and multi-texture rendering. Each new iteration of the file format brings more modern functionality, headed up by the Web3D Consortium.

VRML2 (and its brotheren X3D) continue to be two of the very best of non-MCAD file formats. Many people (wrongly) believe that FBX is the primary "translation file format" but VRML2 pre-dated it by at least 10+ years and has equally good or better functionality (and in an open, non-proprietary specification).

VRML1 and VRML2 are 3D file formats with a long and complex history. They were originally developed in the mid 1990s to define 'interactive 3D worlds' on the then-new World Wide WEB. However, statistically speaking, VRML2 became more well known as a high quality "data translaton and storage" file format, partly due to Okino pushing it as such a standard in the industry. It was implemented by a good number of 3D software packages and hence became a "reliable back door" to convert 3D assets out of those packages before FBX, DWF, COLLADA, U3D and other similar file formats came along in the mid to late 2000s, or glTF in the late 2010's. So many new 3D file formats were introduced between 2005 and 2007 that many quickly died away or just became ghosts of the past.

Its brothern are also known as VRML2, Classic VRML, VRML97, VRML1 and Inventor2.

More information about IGES

IGES import converter's overview

X3D export converter's overview