In an industrial environment characterized by diverse design tools, 3D data interoperability remains a major challenge for companies. The Universal Scene Description (USD) formats and its compact version USDZ are emerging as promising solutions to standardize technical data exchanges while offering new possibilities for visualization and collaboration. Initially developed for the entertainment industry, these formats are now finding their place in engineering and industrial design processes, bringing with them unique capabilities to solve persistent problems of data translation between heterogeneous systems.
Table of contents
- Fundamentals of the USD/USDZ format: origins and technical characteristics
- Advantages of USD/USDZ for professional CAD interoperability
- Industrial applications and use cases of USD/USDZ format
- Software solutions for conversion and preparation of USD/USDZ files
- Implementation strategies and best practices for USD/USDZ adoption
Fundamentals of the USD/USDZ format: origins and technical characteristics
Universal Scene Description (USD) represents a major innovation in the field of 3D data exchange. Initially developed by Pixar Animation Studios to address complex film production needs, this format quickly established itself as a reference for complete and coherent description of 3D scenes.
Origins and development
USD was designed by Pixar to solve specific collaboration problems on animation projects involving countless interconnected 3D elements. The first public version of USD was made available open source in 2016, marking the beginning of its adoption beyond the entertainment sector. USDZ, an extension of the USD format, was developed in collaboration with Apple to facilitate augmented reality experiences on iOS devices and today constitutes a de facto standard for mobile AR applications.
The USD format is distinguished by its advanced technical architecture:
- Architecture based on composition layers allowing non-destructive modifications
- Support for collaborative work via reference mechanisms and variants
- Possible representation in ASCII (.usda) or binary (.usdc) form for different use cases
- Extensible metadata system for storing custom technical information
The USDZ format, meanwhile, is an uncompressed archive containing a main USD file and all its dependencies (textures, materials, etc.) in a single standalone package, facilitating deployment on mobile and web platforms.
Types of data supported
USD/USDZ supports a wide range of 3D data essential for engineering applications:
- Geometry: polygonal meshes, NURBS surfaces and subdivisions
- Object hierarchy and complex assembly structures
- Physically based materials (PBR) with high-resolution textures
- Animations and parametric transformations
- Advanced cameras and lighting parameters
- Technical metadata and custom properties for PLM
This richness of representation allows preserving design intent and critical information during conversions between native CAD formats and USD.
Fundamental technical advantages
The technical characteristics that distinguish USD/USDZ include:
- Optimized performance for loading and manipulating complex scenes
- Extensible architecture allowing the addition of new schemas and functionalities
- Ability to represent complex object hierarchies with thousands of components
- Native support for levels of detail (LOD) for adaptive visualization
- Real-time composition allowing non-destructive data modification
These technical attributes make USD/USDZ a solution particularly suited to interoperability challenges in modern multi-CAD environments where preserving CAD data quality is essential.
Advantages of USD/USDZ for professional CAD interoperability
The adoption of USD and USDZ formats in professional CAD workflows addresses several persistent interoperability challenges while bringing new essential capabilities for modern companies.
Collaborative work management
One of the major assets of USD lies in its fundamentally collaborative design:
- Ability to work simultaneously on different parts of the same model
- Reference system allowing automatic update of modifications
- Variant mechanism to explore different design options
These features promote smooth collaboration between design, engineering, simulation, and marketing teams, thereby reducing development cycles and improving technical data exchange.
Support for modern definitions
USD/USDZ perfectly aligns with current industry trends:
- Native support for PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials for realistic rendering
- Compatibility with advanced lighting techniques (IBL, HDR)
These capabilities enable creating visually faithful and functionally complete digital twins that can be shared between different departments and external partners.
Comparison with other exchange standards
| Feature | USD/USDZ | STEP | JT | 3D PDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precise geometry | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Limited |
| PBR materials | ✓ | ✗ | Limited | Limited |
| Animation | ✓ | ✗ | Limited | Limited |
| Layer composition | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Native AR visualization | ✓ (USDZ) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Open standard | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Long-term archiving | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
This comparison shows that USD/USDZ effectively complements the ecosystem of standardized exchange formats with unique capabilities particularly adapted to modern visualization and immersive experience needs.
Industrial applications and use cases of USD/USDZ format
The USD and USDZ formats find concrete applications in many industrial sectors, addressing specific needs while bringing new possibilities for innovation.
Augmented reality and advanced visualization
One of the most visible use cases for USDZ concerns augmented reality, particularly in the Apple ecosystem:
- Immediate visualization of products in real context on iOS devices
- Creation of interactive experiences for technical training
- Virtual prototyping allowing aesthetic and ergonomic evaluation
- Advanced commercial presentations with manipulable 3D models
An industrial equipment manufacturer can thus allow its customers to visualize a complex system directly in their work environment before purchase, facilitating decision-making and reducing the risk of inadequacy.
Integration into existing CAD workflows
The adoption of USD/USDZ integrates naturally into existing design processes:
- Bridge between traditional CAD systems and modern visualization platforms
- Data exchange between departments using different specialized software
- Quick visual validation of concepts without requiring expensive CAD licenses
- Optimized preparation for 3D printing and manufacturing
These use cases demonstrate how USD can serve as a central pivot format in a multi-CAD ecosystem, facilitating exchanges while preserving data integrity and improving 3D data conversion.
Transition between traditional and modern environments
USD facilitates the digital transition of companies:
- Gradual transition from proprietary formats to open standards
- Adaptation to growing needs for mobility and remote data access
- Integration of cloud-based processes for international collaboration
- Compatibility with new agile development methodologies
This flexibility allows organizations to evolve at their own pace while preserving their investments in existing systems and improving global CAD interoperability.
Technical data archiving and sharing
The characteristics of USD make it an excellent candidate for long-term archiving:
- Open and well-documented format reducing obsolescence risks
- Preservation of visual and geometric richness in a single format
- Independence from proprietary software
- Structure allowing validation and integrity of archived data
For industries subject to strict regulatory requirements like aerospace or medical, this reliable archiving capability represents a significant advantage for preserving technical data over the long term.
Software solutions for conversion and preparation of USD/USDZ files
Effective adoption of USD/USDZ formats requires specialized tools for conversion, visualization, and data reuse. CAD Interop distributes three complementary solutions addressing these specific needs.
SimLab: creating immersive experiences from USDZ models
SimLab positions itself as a powerful tool for transforming CAD data into immersive experiences in USDZ format:
- Direct import from main native CAD formats (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks)
- Accurate conversion preserving hierarchy and assembly structure
- Advanced tools for applying PBR materials and textures
- Creation of animations and interactions to enrich the user experience
- Optimized export to USDZ for immediate use in augmented reality
SimLab particularly excels in preparing models for commercial presentations and interactive catalogs, allowing customers to virtually explore products with an unprecedented level of detail.
3DViewStation: visualization, analysis and conversion to USDZ
3DViewStation offers a complete set of tools for working with USD/USDZ formats:
- High-performance visualization of complex CAD models with high-quality rendering
- Geometric analysis functionalities (measurements, sections, comparisons)
- Bidirectional conversion between native CAD formats and USD/USDZ
- Annotation and technical documentation tools
- Automation options for batch processing of conversions
The capabilities of 3DViewStation make it an ideal choice for technical teams requiring quick access to 3D data without the original CAD software. Its performance with large assemblies allows lightweight data visualization even on standard hardware configurations.
CADfix VIZ: repair and simplification of USDZ data
CADfix VIZ focuses on quality and optimization of 3D models:
- Automatic detection and repair of geometric errors
- Intelligent simplification of models for different levels of detail
- Geometric healing to ensure B-rep surface integrity
- Mesh optimization for augmented reality applications
- Data preparation for resource-limited environments
These functionalities are essential for preparing complex CAD models for use in mobile or web contexts, where performance constraints are particularly important and where geometric validation becomes critical.
Integration of solutions in PLM environments
The three solutions offered by CAD Interop integrate harmoniously into existing PLM ecosystems:
- Programming interfaces (API) for process automation
- Support for metadata structures compatible with common PLM systems
- Integration possibilities with document management systems
- Traceability of conversions and modifications for regulatory compliance
This integration allows establishing coherent workflows where the conversion and optimization of USD/USDZ data become a natural step in the product lifecycle and technical data exchange.
Implementation strategies and best practices for USD/USDZ adoption
Successful integration of USD/USDZ formats in an organization requires a methodical and progressive approach. Here are the recommended strategies and best practices to maximize the benefits of this adoption.
Evaluation and preparation methodology
Before implementing USD/USDZ in your production environment, a systematic evaluation phase is essential:
- Audit of CAD formats and software currently used in the organization
- Identification of priority use cases for USD/USDZ adoption
- Assessment of needs in terms of visual and geometric fidelity
- Analysis of integration requirements with existing systems
- Pilot tests on representative projects to evaluate conversion quality
This preparatory phase allows establishing realistic expectations and targeting areas where USD/USDZ will bring the greatest added value for CAD interoperability and technical data simplification.
Geometric quality validation
Data quality is paramount in any CAD interoperability process:
- Establishment of validation criteria specific to your industry
- Implementation of systematic post-conversion verification processes
- Use of tools like CADfix VIZ to detect and correct errors
- Metric comparison between original and converted models
- Documentation of results to ensure traceability and continuous improvement
These practices ensure that the transition to USD/USDZ does not compromise the integrity of essential technical data and maintains CAD data quality throughout the process.
Progressive migration plan
The adoption of USD/USDZ benefits from being deployed in phases:
- Start with non-critical projects to develop internal expertise
- Establish parallel processes before replacing existing workflows
- Gradually train teams on new methodologies
- Progressively expand the scope of use as confidence increases
- Document and share successes to promote organizational buy-in
This measured approach minimizes risks while allowing the organization to absorb practice changes organically and optimize its technical data exchange processes.
Evolution perspectives and preparation for future innovations
USD/USDZ continues to evolve, offering new opportunities:
- Monitoring developments of the USD specification by Pixar and its partners
- Watching the growing integration in AR/VR ecosystems
- Anticipating future needs in terms of digital twins
- Preparing for the expansion of use cases in the industrial metaverse
- Participation in technical communities to influence future developments
This forward-looking vision helps ensure that investment in USD/USDZ is part of a sustainable and evolving digital strategy for long-term CAD interoperability.
How to choose the USD/USDZ interoperability solution adapted to your needs?
The choice of appropriate tools depends on several factors specific to your usage context:
- For marketing and commercial teams looking to create engaging customer experiences, SimLab offers the best balance between ease of use and visual quality
- Engineering and technical services departments requiring precise analysis will benefit more from 3DViewStation for CAD model visualization and interoperability
- Projects involving complex or legacy CAD models will significantly benefit from the repair and data simplification capabilities of CADfix VIZ
The combined use of these solutions allows covering the entire spectrum of USD/USDZ interoperability needs in a complete multi-CAD industrial environment.
Conclusion
The adoption of USD and USDZ formats represents a strategic advance for organizations facing persistent CAD interoperability challenges. These formats not only bring solutions to traditional conversion problems but also open new possibilities in terms of immersive visualization, collaboration, and technical communication.
By integrating the specialized solutions distributed by CAD Interop – SimLab for experience creation, 3DViewStation for visualization and conversion, and CADfix VIZ for optimization – companies can establish a robust and sustainable interoperability ecosystem. This holistic approach maximizes the value of existing CAD data while preparing the organization for future developments in digital design.
In an industrial context where accelerating development cycles and integrating immersive technologies are becoming differentiating factors, mastering the interoperability of USD/USDZ formats constitutes a strategic investment to maintain your operational agility and optimize your technical data exchange processes.
