Apple, Adobe, Pixar, Nvidia, and Autodesk have joined forces to establish the Alliance for OpenUSD, an initiative aimed at advancing open standards for interoperable 3D tools and data. The alliance will focus on the standardization, development, evolution, and growth of Pixar’s Universal Scene Description (USD) technology.
Pixar’s USD is an open-source software designed for robust and scalable interchange of 3D scenes, encompassing various assets, sources, and animations. The technology is considered crucial for creating metaverse content and facilitates seamless asset workflows between applications like Maya, Houdini, Autodesk 3ds Max, and Adobe Substance 3D Designer.
This collaborative effort is particularly significant as it includes Apple, a founding member, ahead of the anticipated release of its Vision Pro mixed reality headset. Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the vision products group, emphasizes the role of OpenUSD in advancing AR experiences and spatial computing applications.
The Alliance for OpenUSD aims to address challenges within the 3D content creation pipeline by providing a common language for defining, packaging, assembling, and editing 3D data interchangeably at scale. The project will be hosted by the Linux Joint Development Foundation, fostering efficient and effective development of OpenUSD specifications and enabling recognition by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Key players in the augmented and virtual reality industry, such as Unity and Epic Games, have expressed support for the alliance’s formation. This initiative is seen as a pivotal step in establishing standards for 3D content, virtual worlds, and the open metaverse. Even Ikea, known for its 3D rendering use in creating catalog images, recognizes the significance of AOUSD in connecting its value chain and lowering costs for home furnishing solutions.
