OpenUSD for Developers

Developed by Pixar Animation Studios, OpenUSD is an open-source framework for creating, simulating, and collaborating in 3D worlds. OpenUSD is foundational to NVIDIA Omniverse™, the platform for developing 3D applications for industrial digitalization and generative physical AI.

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How It Works

OpenUSD is an open-source framework for creating, simulating, and collaborating in 3D worlds. Developed by Pixar Animation Studios, OpenUSD goes beyond a file format to support 3D content creation and tool interchange.

The universal structure of OpenUSD allows developers to integrate multiple assets into a single "stage," enabling dynamic scene manipulation. Each OpenUSD asset contains independent data layer stacks, such as geometry, shading, or textures, which can be interchanged without affecting other elements. For example, in an OpenUSD stage in a kitchen environment, the data layers for chair or stove can be swapped independently, enabling rapid scene updates.

A diagram showing X

This dynamic manipulation empowers developers to efficiently test multiple asset versions based on context, streamlining scene creation and updates without the need to rebuild from scratch. The versatility of OpenUSD has established it as an industry standard across fields like visual effects, architecture, robotics, manufacturing, and more.


OpenUSD Overview

Check out this guide for samples, technical references, and tools to help you get started with OpenUSD.

Explainer Blog

Learn how developers are adopting OpenUSD in the era of AI and industrial digitalization to accelerate their 3D workflows.

OpenUSD Explainer Video

Watch this video for an overview of OpenUSD and its role in accelerating 3D development for the next era of industrial and physical AI.

Learn OpenUSD
Curriculum

Accelerate your OpenUSD workflows with this free curriculum for developers and 3D practitioners.


Ways to Get Started With OpenUSD

Use pre-built libraries to start exploring and learning with OpenUSD content like USD samples, or start developing with OpenUSD using the latest USD Python build or API.

decorative image representing pre-built OpenUSD libraries and tools

Download Pre-Built OpenUSD Libraries and Tools

Download a full build of OpenUSD, which includes pre-built libraries and the USD toolset. The Windows download also comes fully bootstrapped so you can immediately execute usdview or any other bundled USD tool.

By downloading or using the pre-built OpenUSD libraries, you agree to the terms of the NVIDIA Omniverse License Agreement.

Download USD 25.02a, Python 3.10
For Windows
For Linux
decorative image representing usd-core Python Package on PyPl

Download the usd-core Python Package on PyPI

The usd-core package is also available if you want to experiment with the USD Python API or if you only need the core USD features for reading and writing USD stages and layers. USD comes pre-built, and it's just a "pip install" away.


OpenUSD Example Projects and Sample Assets

Free and open-source USD samples are available for download through NVIDIA Omniverse and partner sites. Explore USD example datasetsphysical AI datasets, and the NVIDIA Learning Library for more OpenUSD resources.

The Physical AI Dataset allows for developers to pretrain and deploy models.

Physical AI Dataset

This commercial-grade, pre-validated dataset can help researchers and developers pretrain, test, and validate AI models for physical AI deployment.

Da Vinci Workshop showcases how the NVIDIA creative team built a complete USD film production pipeline.

Da Vinci Workshop Project

The da Vinci Workshop showcases how the NVIDIA creative team structured this amazing environment to develop a complete USD film production pipeline.

 Pixar’s OpenUSD kitchen set

Residential Lobby Project

The Residential Lobby Project showcases the use of multiple USD composition arcs to help a multi-person design team create an architectural environment.

A complete kitchen asset by Pixar

Kitchen Set—Sample Asset by Pixar

A complete kitchen asset provided by Pixar. The original model was created by a former intern using Pixar’s Renderman and has been optimized for USD.

Animal Logic USD ALab

Factory Planning 3D Sample Asset

USD Explorer’s sample 3D model uses various CAD applications to show a sample factory model and factory planning.

Intel ASWF USD scene

Warehouse Sample Asset

This industrial 3D model shows a sample warehouse space using ​Pixar USD models of bins, crates, safety cones, barrels, conveyors, ramps, ladders, and pallets.


Built on OpenUSD Technology

Leverage OpenUSD technologies for robotics and industrial simulation workflows.