Convert SLDASM to IGES from SOLIDWORKS automatically

Converting SLDASM to IGES still comes up whenever a tooling shop, an older CAM system or a legacy inspection package asks for .igs rather than STEP. PDMPublisher adds IGES to the same batch engine that writes STEP and PDF. One job produces the IGS for the assembly and every part in it, named the way the receiver expects, from the add-in or a SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional task.

What you get

IGES (igs) is the older neutral surface and solid format. It’s still the safe choice for legacy CAM, wire EDM and some tooling and mold suppliers, and often requested next to STEP so the receiver can pick whichever imports cleanly.

You get one .igs of the assembly. Export references to file formats individually adds one per part and sub-assembly; Convert multiple configurations adds one per configuration. IGES sits in the same File formats list as STEP, so both come out of one run. SOLIDWORKS’ current IGES export options (surface representation, trimming and so on) apply.

The manual way, and why it doesn’t scale

Open the top-level assembly, File > Save As, pick IGES (*.igs), name it, save. That’s the active configuration only. Repeat for every part you want as its own file, and again for every configuration.

Fine for one machine. For a 200-component release redone at every revision, it’s a day of clicking and a folder that never matches the BOM. When the supplier wants STEP and IGES of every component, the count doubles.

Convert SLDASM to IGES with the add-in

1. Open the top-level assembly in SOLIDWORKS, references resolved (Get Latest first).
2. On the PDMPublisher tab, select Settings, then Publish.
3. Set Export location: a fixed or UNC folder, or placeholders from the >... menu.
4. Set the Filename pattern, such as (FileNameWithoutExtension)-(Revision); the extension is added for you.
5. Under File formats, tick IGES (igs); other ticked formats come out in the same pass.
6. Leave Export references to file formats individually off for one file of the whole assembly, or tick it for a .igs per part and sub-assembly too. No BOM template needed here.
7. Tick Convert multiple configurations with (ConfigurationName) in the filename. The Configuration Filter includes (PROD*) or excludes (*Flat*) by wildcard.
8. Tick STEP as well if the package should carry both neutral formats; both come from the same job.
9. Select PDMPublisher > Publish, confirm the review dialog, and check Publishing results afterwards.

In PDMPublisher for SOLIDWORKS, IGES needs Premium. The free Community Edition does PDF, DXF and STEP only, up to 5 references per run.

Automate it as a PDM task

PDMPublisher for PDM Professional runs the same engine as a task, so the assembly becomes IGES on a state change.

1. In PDM Administration, right-click Tasks, select New Task, choose PDMPublisher and name it.
2. On the Options page, set Export Location ((VaultRootFolder)\Exports\IGES, no trailing backslash) and Filename; PDM variables such as ($PartNumber) work here.
3. Under File Formats, tick IGES. Keep Export affected document on so the assembly itself is exported.
4. For the components too, set Template to a PDM BOM layout (name, configuration and quantity columns) and enable Export references to file formats individually.
5. Enable Convert multiple configurations and the Configuration Filter as in the add-in.
6. Pick Use this version of SOLIDWORKS. For release workflows, enable Get latest revision only; it exports the version tied to the newest revision.
7. Attach the task to a workflow transition, leave it in the right-click menu, or run it from Scheduled Items.

Settings that matter for IGES

Setting	What it does	Tip
Export location	Output folder: vault, relative, UNC or outside. Created if missing.	(TopAssemblyFolder)\Exports\(Revision) works; no trailing backslash.
Filename	Static text, placeholders, custom properties or PDM variables.	(ConfigurationName) for configurations, (Revision) for released files.
File formats	Tick IGES (igs); invalid formats are dropped.	Several formats per job.
Export references to file formats individually	One file per part and sub-assembly, beside the top-level export.	Task: needs a BOM Template.
Template (task)	PDM BOM layout that calculates references, configurations and quantities.	Must include <Name>, <Configuration> and <RefCount>.
Convert multiple configurations	Every assembly configuration, not just the active one.	Needs a configuration-specific filename.

Naming and folders

Placeholders resolve when the job starts, so every file is named the same way:

• (FileNameWithoutExtension)-(Revision): Mold-Base-C.igs in (TopAssemblyFolder)\Exports\IGES.
• (FileNameWithoutExtension)_(ConfigurationName) with Convert multiple configurations: Mold-Base_Default.igs, Mold-Base_Left-Hand.igs.
• (VaultRootFolder)\Tooling\($Supplier)\(TargetExtension) in the task: an igs folder under the supplier’s project folder, from a PDM variable.

Customize Location (Premium in the add-in, standard in the task) gives igs its own folder. With STEP and IGES in one job, give igs and step their own rows so they don’t share a folder.

Tips and troubleshooting

• IGES needs a Premium key, entered under PDMPublisher > License Key. The PDM task is licensed per vault, 7-day trial, every format included.
• Invalid formats for the source type are dropped; some depend on the SOLIDWORKS version where the job runs.
• Missing references? The job needs local copies of every reference. Get Latest first.
• Exclude *Flat* in the Configuration Filter so flat patterns don’t produce extra model files.
• Can’t see the exported files? You need add and edit permission in the export location. The vault root is usually locked; target a subfolder like (VaultRootFolder)\Exports.

Availability

Available in PDMPublisher for SOLIDWORKS (the add-in) and PDMPublisher for PDM Professional (the task).

Documentation and related features

• Run a Publish Job (PDMPublisher for SOLIDWORKS)
• File Formats option
• SOLIDWORKS assembly documents
• SOLIDWORKS part documents
• Extension-specific export locations
• Publishing profiles and company settings
• Convert SLDPRT to IGES
• Convert SLDASM to STEP
• Convert SLDASM to Parasolid

Frequently asked questions

How do I batch convert a SOLIDWORKS assembly to IGES?

Tick IGES under File formats, set location and filename, then Publish with the assembly open. Export references to file formats individually adds the parts; a PDM task does the same on a transition.

Can I export STEP and IGES of an assembly at the same time?

Yes. Every ticked format comes out in one pass. Use Customize Location if each needs its own folder.

Does IGES from PDMPublisher include the assembly’s parts?

The top-level export holds the assembled geometry. For one IGS per part, enable Export references to file formats individually.

Is IGES available in the free Community Edition?

No. Community Edition does PDF, DXF and STEP only. IGES needs Premium in the add-in; the PDM task includes all formats.