Free online IGS to TIFF converter

What the IGS format is

IGS or IGES (.igs or .iges) is a neutral CAD exchange format defined by the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification. It can contain wireframes, curves, surfaces, solid representations, annotations, and drawing data, although support for specific entity types varies between CAD programs.

Mechanical-design and engineering applications such as AutoCAD, CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, FreeCAD, and Autodesk Inventor can create or import IGES files. You typically encounter IGS files when receiving older CAD models, exchanging geometry between different CAD systems, or opening supplier and manufacturing data.

What the TIFF format is

TIFF (.tif or .tiff) is a raster image format used for technical illustrations, scanned drawings, print production, and long-term image storage. It supports high bit depths, grayscale and color channels, multiple compression methods, and lossless LZW or ZIP compression.

TIFF is suitable when the recipient needs a high-resolution image rather than a manipulable CAD model. It preserves pixels, not model units, surfaces, layers, camera data, feature history, or selectable CAD entities.

How to convert IGS to TIFF

Using FreeCAD and ImageMagick

1. Install FreeCAD and open the .igs or .iges file with File → Open. FreeCAD uses the Open CASCADE kernel to import common IGES geometry.
2. Allow the import to finish, then select the required objects in the model tree. Hide construction geometry or unwanted layers, choose an axonometric or orthographic view, and use View → Standard views and View → Fit all to frame the model.
3. Export the displayed view with View → Save image. If your FreeCAD build offers TIFF in the image-format list, choose TIFF and set the required pixel dimensions. Otherwise save a lossless PNG such as model.png.
4. Convert the PNG to TIFF with ImageMagick:

magick model.png -compress LZW model.tif

For a larger render, specify the image size when saving from FreeCAD or resize during conversion, for example magick model.png -resize 4000x4000 model.tif. Resizing cannot recover detail that was absent from the original render.

Using a CAD application with image export

In a CAD program that supports IGES import and raster export, open the file with File → Open, set the camera, display mode, background, and resolution, then use the program's Export or Save image command and select TIFF. This route is preferable when the IGS file contains assemblies, annotations, or display settings that FreeCAD does not reproduce correctly.

Converting online

You can convert the file for free on the 101convert.com website without installing software. Select IGS as the input format and TIFF as the output format, upload the file, start the conversion, and download the resulting image.

Quality and compatibility limits

The conversion is a 3D-to-2D rendering, so the result depends on view direction, zoom, projection, lighting, visible objects, anti-aliasing, and output resolution. A TIFF cannot be rotated as a 3D model or edited as CAD geometry.

IGES imports may show missing surfaces, incorrect trims, duplicated entities, or altered colors because IGES implementations and supported entity types differ. Check the imported model against the source CAD application before exporting the image.

For print output, choose the required pixel dimensions from the physical print size and resolution; for example, an 8-inch image at 300 pixels per inch requires 2400 pixels across. Use RGB or grayscale TIFF as required by the destination, and use LZW or ZIP compression when preserving image data without JPEG artifacts.