Native CAD interfaces
Direct support for the CAD formats listed here.
IGES-VDA-SAT Viewer
Open IGS, VDA, and SAT files
intuitive & practical 3D without CAD expertise
affordable & universal many 3D/2D interfaces
Modern, easy-to-use CAD viewer
Cost-effective CAD converter for all formats
The 3D-Tool Viewer opens IGES, SAT, and VDA files without any additional CAD software.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter converts models to a wide range of formats such as STEP, JT, Parasolid X_T, STL, OBJ, PLY, 3D-PDF, and 3D-HTML.
Free for 14 days
Fully functional, no obligation.
Secure & reliable
Stable, precise CAD data processing.
Windows support
Compatible with current Windows versions.
What are IGES, VDA, and SAT files?
- IGES, IGS (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) CAD data exchange format for 3D models and, less commonly, 2D drawings. For 3D models, part and assembly information is supported.
- VDA (VDA-FS) 3D CAD exchange format developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry as a surface interface between CAD systems. VDA files contain only 3D surface data and no information about parts or assemblies.
- SAT (ACIS SAT/SAB) ACIS is a 3D modeling kernel from Dassault Systemes. Many CAD/CAM applications use the ACIS kernel and the related SAT file format. The format supports wireframe, surface, and solid modeling. SAB files are the binary variant of text-encoded SAT files.
IGES, VDA, and SAT versions
- IGES The format was created in 1980 and has not changed significantly since 1996. Although it supports surface and solid models, it has largely been replaced by the STEP format. The current file version is 5.2. (05/2026)
- VDA VDA-FS was designed in 1983 for transferring free-form surfaces. Solids, dimensions, planes, 2D geometry, and text are not supported. In Germany, the file format has been registered as the national standard DIN 66301 since 1986, but it is rarely used today. The version has remained unchanged since 1986 and is 2.0. (05/2026)
- SAT The first ACIS format specification was published by Spatial in 1998. The specification was publicly available until 2001, or version 7. After the acquisition by Dassault Systemes, the format was modified and no longer published. Newer SAT files require the native ACIS library for reading. The current version is 2026.1.0. (05/2026)
SAT characteristics
Out of the three exchange formats IGS, VDA and SAT, SAT is certainly the most interesting file format because of the ACIS modeling kernel. ACIS offers the three core functions 3D modelling, 3D model management, and 3D model visualization. ACIS supports Microsoft, Apple and Linux platforms.
SAT files are readable with a text editor and start with the internal version number. "3310" stands for the internal version 33.1.0 and this corresponds to version 2023 1.0.
SAB files are the binary version of SAT files and are actually no longer readable with a text editor. However, like SAT files, the internal version number still can be recognized in the first line.
The Shape Manager modeling kernel used by Autodesk is also based on the ACIS kernel.
How do I open IGES, VDA, and SAT files?
Typically, CAD/CAM software with a corresponding interface is used for this purpose.
There are free viewers for viewing a 3D design in IGES or SAT format on the Internet. For VDA-FS only commercial solutions are available.
The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens all three formats as well as other exchange formats such as STEP and Parasolid X_T. Professional measurement tools and analysis make use of the full potential of IGES, VDA and SAT data.
How can I convert an IGES, VDA, or SAT file?
Without CAD/CAM software with a suitable interface, the model must be exported from the original CAD system into another 3D exchange format or 3D visualization format.
Converting from IGES, VDA or SAT to STEP, X_T, OBJ or STL is also possible with a 3D converter.
3D-Tool Premium includes the 3D-NativeCAD Converter. This converts the native models of many common CAD systems into the 3D exchange formats STEP, IGES, SAT, VDA and Parasolid X_T. But it also converts these formats among each other.
Test the IGES, VDA, and SAT viewer and converter for free
3D-Tool is a CAD Viewer with interfaces for common native CAD formats and 3D exchange formats. 3D-Tool provides professional measurement functions, draft analysis, and wall thickness analysis.
- Open IGES, VDA, and SAT files, add dimensions and annotations, and publish them for the 3D-Tool Free Viewer or as 3D-PDF
- Open IGES, VDA, and SAT files and save them as STL, 3DS, PLY, WRL, or OBJ
- Convert IGES, VDA, and SAT files to JT, STEP, and X_T
- Convert IGES, VDA, and SAT models into 3D product visualizations such as 3D-HTML, FBX, Collada, 3MF, and glTF
Simply download 3D-Tool, start it, and request a trial key. Test all features, all interfaces, and the 3D-NativeCAD Converter for 14 days. Open and convert STEP, IGES, SAT, Parasolid, as well as CATIA, Siemens NX, Inventor, SolidWorks, and other formats.
Fully functional 14-day trial
No commitment Cancel anytime
Start immediately Download in seconds