Universal Scene Description
Universal Scene Description (USD) is a framework for interchange of 3D computer graphics data. The framework focuses on collaboration, non-destructive editing, and enabling multiple views and opinions about graphics data.[1] USD is used in many industries including visual effects, architecture, design, robotics and CAD.[2] It is developed by Pixar and was first published as open source software in 2016, under a modified Apache license.[3] Pixar, Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, and NVIDIA, together with the Joint Development Foundation (JDF) of the Linux Foundation, announced the Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) on August 1, 2023 to "promote the standardization, development, evolution, and growth of Pixar's Universal Scene Description technology."[4]
File formats
File formats used by the specification include:[5][6]
- , which can be either ASCII or binary-encoded
- , ASCII encoded
- , binary encoded
- , a package file which is a zero-compression, unencrypted zip archive, which may contain usd, usda, usdc, png, jpeg, m4a, mp3, and wav files.
Support
- 3ds Max version 2022, with latest update as Public Beta, plus version 2023. Includes Import from USD and Export to USD.
- Autodesk Fusion 360 supports USD export since April 2022.
- Blender includes support for USD import and export as of Version 4.0.[7][8][9]
- Cinema 4D includes support for USD for import and export.[10]
- Houdini includes an implementation of USD, for purposes of format interchange and scene editing.[11]
- Autodesk Inventor – supports USD as of version 2023.
- Maya – supports USD as of version 2022.
- mesh2mesh (macOS) converts USD to and from other formats.[12]
- Nvidia has announced support for USD in Omniverse, a graphics collaboration platform.[13]
- Davinci Resolve includes support for importing USD.[14]
- Fusion includes support for importing USD.[15]
- Apple’s SceneKit supports .usdz[16] files for 3D model interchange.[17][18]
- Apple’s Reality Composer Pro supports .usdz files for its Reality Kit and visionOS ecosystem.
- Vectorworks 2023 Service Pack 3 onwards includes USD export and import
- Rhinoceros 3D though support is currently limited to v8 WIP (work in progress) and is not yet supported on the current stable release[19]
- Adobe Substance 3D Stager supports USD export.
See also
- Alembic (interchangeable computer graphics file format)
- glTF (Graphics Language Transmission Format)
References
- ↑ "Introduction to USD". https://graphics.pixar.com/usd/docs/index.html.
- ↑ "Pixar Universal Scene Description (USD)" (in en). 2019-07-16. https://developer.nvidia.com/usd.
- ↑ "Pixar open-sources its Universal Scene Description | CG Channel" (in en-US). http://www.cgchannel.com/2016/07/pixar-to-open-source-its-universal-scene-description/.
- ↑ "Pixar, Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, and NVIDIA Form Alliance for OpenUSD to Drive Open Standards for 3D Content" (in en-US). https://www.linuxfoundation.org/press/announcing-alliance-for-open-usd-aousd.
- ↑ Sanders, James (2018-06-05). "Apple's USDZ AR file format: What you need to know" (in en). https://www.techrepublic.com/article/apples-usdz-ar-file-format-what-you-need-to-know/.
- ↑ "USD Documentation : Usdz File Format Specification". 2018. https://graphics.pixar.com/usd/docs/Usdz-File-Format-Specification.html.
- ↑ "Universal Scene Description". https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/usd.html.
- ↑ Blender 3.0: Pipeline, Assets & IO - USD Importer
- ↑ USD Import and Export in Blender
- ↑ "Supported File Formats". https://www.maxon.net/en/cinema-4d/features/supported-file-formats.
- ↑ "Solaris | SideFX" (in en). https://www.sidefx.com/products/houdini/solaris/.
- ↑ "mesh2mesh Support - Supported Formats". https://mesh2mesh.fluthaus.com/support.html#supported-formats.
- ↑ "NVIDIA Omniverse™" (in en). 2019-03-11. https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-omniverse.
- ↑ "What's new in Davinci Resolve 18.5 beta". https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=179277&sid=a8b695228f2da22eaae596bf979c1f69.
- ↑ "Release of Fusion Studio 18.5". https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=185030.
- ↑ Paul, Katie (2022-06-21). "Meta and other tech giants form metaverse standards body, without Apple". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/technology/meta-other-tech-giants-form-metaverse-standards-body-without-apple-2022-06-21/.
- ↑ Casserly, Martyn. "Everything you need to know about Apple's new USDZ augmented-reality file format". https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/iosapps/usdz-3678479/.
- ↑ Horaczek, Stan (2018-06-15). "Apple and Pixar created a new file format for augmented reality on your phone" (in en). https://www.popsci.com/usdz-augmented-reality-apple-ios12/.
- ↑ "Rhino 8 Feature: USD (Universal Scene Description) Export" (in en). 2023-07-06. https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-feature-usd-universal-scene-description-export/162467.
External links
![]() | Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal Scene Description.
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