What is OpenUSD (USD)?

Definition OpenUSD (USD)

OpenUSD (Universal Scene Description) provides a data model + APIs for the modular construction of large 3D projects: Base scenes, layers/overrides, variant sets (e.g. colors/LODs) and references/payloads are combined into a consistent stage. This means that assets can be reused across tools, teams can work on the same project in parallel and a USD source can be used to export to web/AR formats (e.g. glTF, USDZ).

OpenUSD - Definition & benefits for brands

• One data model, many tools: USD decouples authoring from playout. Assets remain consistent between DCCs/render engines. (For the web/AR you also provide glTF or USDZ.)
• Variants instead of duplicates: Colors, fabrics, LODs, cameras as variant sets - perfect for product ranges & configurators.
• Scaling & collaboration: Layering, references, payloads allow large, collaborative brand spaces and catalog series.
• Standardization: The Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) drives Interop & Governance - good for investment protection. Info: Alliance for OpenUSD and Pixar OpenUSD GitHub.
• Practical stack: Collaborative authoring with NVIDIA Omniverse - OpenUSD resourcesDCC integration and more Houdini Solaris, Maya-USD.

How OpenUSD works (core concepts)

• Stage & Layer: A stage is the "live view" of your scene; it is created by layers that are composed like layers.
• Prims & Schemas: Prims are objects (models, lights, cameras), schemas define their properties/behavior.
• Composition Arcs: sublayers, inherits, variantSets, references, payloads, specializes - building blocks to merge base scene + overrides + variants non-destructively.
• File types: .usda (ASCII), .usdc (binary), .usd (container), .usdz (package for AR/iOS delivery).

OpenUSD vs. USDZ vs. glTF - who does what? (comparison table)

Note: USD for authoring, USDZ for iOS-AR, glTF for web/viewer.

Common errors & quick fixes

OpenUSD - Workflow & Best Practices (Home & Living)

1. Master assets & PBR: Create materials physically correct (→ PBR, Albedo, Roughness, Normal).
2. Plan layering: layout.usd (geometry), lookdev.usd (material), lighting.usd, anim.usd - clear separation.
3. Use Variant Sets: Color/fabric/size on product prim, camera/deco variants separately.
4. Check composition: Understand arc order (Local/Inherit > Variant > Reference/Payload); Tools: Composition viewer in DCC/Omniverse.
5. Separate playout: USD-Stage remains the "source of truth" - export to glTF (shop/viewer) and USDZ (iOS).
6. Rendering & series: Hero stills/film via your render engine, many variants can be planned via render farm.
7. Collaboration: NVIDIA Omniverse - OpenUSD is suitable for simultaneous work and review; for DCC workflows see Houdini Solaris, Maya-USD.

Composition-Arcs - Cheat-Sheet

FAQ - OpenUSD (USD)

OpenUSD, USDZ or glTF - what do I use for what?

USD for authoring & composition, USDZ for iOS-AR/Quick Look, glTF/GLB for Web-Viewer & E-Com.

For web playout, glTF is ideal → glTF file format. For iOS-AR you need USDZ → USDZ file format.

Variant sets in practice - best practice?

Create color/fabric/size on the product prim as a variant set, camera setups as a separate set. This way you keep reuse & clarity.

When do I convert USD for web viewers - and where to?

As soon as interaction in the browser is required: USD → glTF/GLB for fast loading times, caching & PBR compatibility. You can find a suitable application context in the 3D viewer on the web.

What are the concrete benefits of OpenUSD in furniture/interior marketing?

OpenUSD enables a central 3D "source of truth" from which you can consistently play out for store, catalog and social. We show how this works in projects at 3D product visualization - from variants to campaign images.

How do I structure assets & variants in practice?

Organize geometry, lookdev, lighting as separate layers and keep variant sets (color/fabric/size) on the product prim. A solid model base helps - see 3D modeling.

How do I keep the material look consistent across different DCC tools?

Rely on portable lookdev (PBR clean, physical parameters, clear naming) and check material standards such as MaterialX / OpenPBR for cross-tool consistency.

How do I reliably export/import USD from common tools?

Pay attention to clean paths, texture names and references; a pragmatic start is the Blender documentation on USD import/export (the principles also apply to other DCCs).

How do colors & tonal values remain stable in the OpenUSD pipeline?

Define a uniform color space/tonemapping path (e.g. ACES/OCIO) and document it for all parties involved; the technical basis is provided by OpenColorIO.

Where does OpenUSD fit into commerce workflows (Retail/E-Com)?

USD serves as an authoring/composition hub; for frontends, you convert specifically to lightweight formats. Guidance for commerce workflows is curated by the Khronos 3D Commerce Working Group.

How do I get to the heart of USD content as a moving image?

Plan shot variants (camera, set decoration) as USD variants and render in a targeted manner - from social cuts to explanatory films. Examples & process can be found at 3D animation & product video.

Why this link? Show your concrete video output in which USD variants/compositions are used economically.

How do I get reliable surfaces (fabrics/wood/metal) in USD?

Build textures PBR-clean (albedo without light, correct roughness/normal) and keep material namings/units consistent; you can see our capture → shader process in Digitize Surfaces.