IGES and PDES, the current status of product data exchange standard

Currently, IGES (Initial Graphic Exchange Specification) is the international standard for exchange product definition data between CAD (computer-aided design) systems. However, due to its efficiencies, a new standard is in the process of development and will gradually replace IGES. It is believed that PDES will be less error-prone than IGES. Its improvements include free-form format representation of objects, a three-level database architecture, and reduced memory and time requirements. Future IGES developments will be suspended when PDES is introduced to general use. But though PDES will contain all functions of IGES, IGES will remain in use for some time