Free file viewer for IGES 3D cad files

01/28/2009 | Quesera

[quesera]

I am looking for a free viewer to open a <.IGS> 3D cad file. I've searched and most of the viewers are either extensions for AutoCAD, Pro-Engineer or ....The stand alone viewers are $400-$1500. I don't really want to spend too much money to buy just a viewer. Can someone please point me to where I can download a free viewer, thanks.

[Dallas59]

Try These

And these..

And maybe this one...

They say "free download"...but then again it may be just that...then you have to buy.

[allmost]

Quite a few of the 'free' downloads generally are either free to download, pay to use or limited time usage. Try sorting through the Google. Update your AV and set a restore point before trying (if using windows) in my experience.

[smokingfrog]

Solid Works free CAD tools

Possibly Google sketch up??
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=169&t=7591

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Go to Alibre and download their trial. It can import Solidworks files as well as STL, IGES, and STP. And it's a VERY affordable, fully featured parametric 3D CAD package anyway.

[quesera]

Thanks but only eDrawings Publisher will read iges files and will only do it as an attachment to solidworks. PTC does the same with Pro-Engineer. eDrawings Prof. may be able to do it but it’s a 15-day trial and I think it’s expensive. The generic SolidWorks viewer which I already use will only read and open native solidworks files.

I will download Ez 3.8 from the link Dalas59 provided later on and see if it works, otherwise I will keep looking; thanks.

[quesera]

Go to Alibre and download their trial. It can import Solidworks files as well as STL, IGES, and STP. And it's a VERY affordable, fully featured parametric 3D CAD package anyway.

Already downloaded but not yet installed. I thought I would keep looking for something really free. Thanks again.

[Dallas59]

I kinda figured that there was catch. The other way is to go to the dark side of the net and try a website that has links to versions that uh...um...have been altered.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Note that Xpress - the free version - should support IGES files. And it’s a very full-featured CAD program on its own (being limited in 2D view creation, and a maximum of 10 parts in an assembly, but each part can be extremely complex on its own).

[quesera]

I kinda figured that there was catch. The other way is to go to the dark side of the net and try a website that has links to versions that uh...um...have been altered.

If the file I downloaded from alibre does not work then I might take the plunge to the dark side. At this point I am really trying to avoid it, my last click to the dark side had me cleaning my laptop for days.

[Dallas59]

I tried that road once and ended up repairing my OS.

[quesera]

I tried that road once and ended up repairing my OS.

LOL, the bugs from these sites do sting pretty deep. NO THANKS!

[quesera]

Just downloaded Rhino3D, a full evaluation copy that does exactly what I need and more. Thank you all.

[MikeD]

I need to reinstall my free viewers (recent hard drive crash), but I think the HOOPS3d viewer can see IGES files fine. It’s a bit of a resource hog, but it’s always done the job for me.