Can DeskProto import IGES files ?
No, IGES files can not be used with DeskProto. Reason is that the IGES format is far more complex than STL, which typically will result in conversion problems. Geometry conversion from system X to system Y using IGES files in many cases does lead to incorrect results and the need for retrying. STL on the other hand guarantees smooth conversions. IGES is in fact only needed in case the geometry must be remodelled in the second system; for “downstream processes” like prototyping and moldmaking STL is fine. Do note that theoretically speaking using IGES results in a better surface quality (as the real surfaces are transferred, not a polygon approximation). In practice there is no difference, as in any CAD system the accuracy of the STL file can be freely chosen. IGES stands for Initial Graphic Exchange Standard. It is an official standard, defined by an international committee of specialists. It can describe a wide variety of 2D and 3D entities.
