Description of Various Standard Interfaces:

Initial Graphics Exchange Specifications (IGES)

The fundamental concept of IGES is concerned along with the exchange of product description data from one CAD system to another one. The CAD/CAM integration information network (CIIN) of Boeing served as the preliminary basics of IGES. This exchange takes place by means of a neutral data format. If information must be transferred from one type of CAD system to another is converted by means of a pre-processor to the neutral data format specified by IGES and then converted by means of a post-processor to the proper data format of the other CAD system. Along with this concept, this is possible to transfer CAD data among any set of CAD systems, as long they are equipped along with the corresponding pre- and post-processors.

Figure: Sections of the IGES Data File