Jump to content

USDZ

From VR & AR Wiki
Revision as of 00:04, 27 June 2025 by Xinreality (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{Software Infobox |image= |Type=3D file format |Industry=Augmented Reality, 3D Graphics, Mobile Computing |Developer=Apple Inc. and Pixar Animation Studios |Written In=Based on Universal Scene Description (USD) |Operating System=iOS 12+, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS |License=Open format |Supported Devices=iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro |Release Date=June 2018 |Website=[https://developer.apple.com/augmented-...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
USDZ
Information
Type 3D file format
Industry Augmented Reality, 3D Graphics, Mobile Computing
Developer Apple Inc. and Pixar Animation Studios
Written In Based on Universal Scene Description (USD)
Operating System iOS 12+, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS
License Open format
Supported Devices iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro
Release Date June 2018
Website Apple AR Developer

Property "Developer" (as page type) with input value "Apple Inc.]] and [[Pixar Animation Studios" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Written In" (as page type) with input value "Based on Universal Scene Description (USD)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Operating System" (as page type) with input value "iOS]] 12+" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.


USDZ (Universal Scene Description Zipped) is a file format for storing and sharing 3D models and augmented reality (AR) content, developed through a collaboration between Apple Inc. and Pixar Animation Studios.[1] Announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2018, USDZ is specifically optimized for Apple's ecosystem and serves as the primary format for AR experiences on iOS devices.[2]

Overview

USDZ is a zero-compression, unencrypted ZIP archive that packages Universal Scene Description (USD) files along with their associated assets such as textures, materials, and audio files into a single, easily shareable package.[3] The format is designed to enable "direct consumption" of 3D content without requiring extraction or additional heap storage allocation, making it particularly suitable for mobile devices with limited resources.[3]

The "Z" in USDZ stands for "zipped," distinguishing it from standard USD files by its packaged nature.[4] Unlike traditional compressed archives, USDZ files maintain zero compression to allow for efficient memory mapping and direct access to contained data.[1]

History

USDZ was developed as a response to the need for a standardized, mobile-optimized format for AR content distribution. Prior to its introduction, there was no elegant solution for combining USD scene descriptions with their required assets in a single, portable package suitable for mobile AR applications.[1]

The format was announced at WWDC 2018 alongside iOS 12, which introduced native support for viewing USDZ files through AR Quick Look.[2] This announcement marked a significant push by Apple to make AR content more accessible to mainstream users without requiring specialized applications.[5]

Technical Specifications

File Structure

A USDZ file is structured as an uncompressed ZIP archive with specific requirements:[3]

Property Specification
Compression Zero compression (store method only)
Encryption None
Archive Format Standard ZIP
Byte Alignment Minimum 8-byte alignment for efficient memory mapping
Package Type Read-only container

Supported File Types

USDZ packages can only contain file types that can be consumed by the USD runtime via memory mapping, pointer to memory, or thread-safe file access:[3]

3D Scene Files

  • .usda (USD ASCII format)
  • .usdc (USD binary format)
  • .usd (USD files)

Image Formats

Audio Formats

Technical Requirements

The format enforces several technical constraints to ensure optimal performance on mobile devices:[3]

  • Files must be accessible without unpacking the archive
  • Data must be aligned on 8-byte boundaries for zero-copy access
  • No compression is applied to maintain direct memory access capabilities
  • The first file in the package enables progressive loading scenarios

Features

AR Quick Look Integration

USDZ files are natively supported by Apple's AR Quick Look viewer, which is integrated into the operating system. This allows users to view 3D models and place them in their real-world environment without downloading additional applications.[6]

Progressive Loading

The format supports various streaming scenarios through its file ordering mechanism:[3]

  • Level of Detail (LOD) streaming with low-complexity geometry loading first
  • Progressive material loading with simple materials followed by textured versions
  • Animation streaming with static poses loading before animated sequences

Interaction Support

USDZ files support limited interactivity through:[7]

  • Basic gesture recognition (move, rotate, scale)
  • Custom actions through Quick Look API
  • Apple Pay integration for e-commerce applications

Applications

E-commerce

USDZ has become particularly popular in e-commerce applications, allowing customers to:[5]

  • View products in AR before purchasing
  • Place furniture and home goods in their actual living spaces
  • Examine product details from all angles

Education

Educational institutions use USDZ for:[6]

Architecture and Design

Professionals in architecture and design utilize USDZ for:[8]

Software Support

Creation Tools

Software Platform Export Support
Reality Composer iOS, iPadOS, macOS Native USDZ export with animations and behaviors[9]
Blender 4.0+ Cross-platform Native USDZ export via USD with ARKit Asset toggle[9]
Cinema 4D Cross-platform Native export via USD with Zipped flag[9]
Adobe Creative Cloud Cross-platform Built-in support announced at WWDC 2018[2]
Autodesk tools Cross-platform USDZ export support[1]
Sketchfab Web-based USDZ download option[1]

Conversion Tools

  • usdz_converter: Command-line tool included with Xcode for converting OBJ, Alembic ABC, and USDA files[10]
  • Pixar USD tools: Python-based conversion utilities[11]
  • Various online converters for format transformation

Comparison with USD

Feature USD USDZ
Format Type Scene description Packaged archive
Compression Variable Zero compression
Platform Support Cross-platform Optimized for Apple devices
File Extension .usd, .usda, .usdc .usdz
Asset Inclusion External references Self-contained package
Editability Directly editable Read-only (must unpack to edit)
Use Case Professional 3D workflows Mobile AR distribution

Limitations

Despite its advantages, USDZ has several limitations:[11]

  • Platform Specificity: While technically an open format, USDZ is primarily optimized for Apple's ecosystem
  • Limited Interactivity: Animations must be pre-baked; real-time interactivity is restricted
  • File Format Restrictions: Cannot include formats like Alembic files that require specific access patterns
  • Read-Only Nature: Files must be unpacked and repackaged for editing
  • No Native Android Support: Requires third-party solutions for non-Apple platforms

Future Development

The USDZ format continues to evolve with updates to Apple's operating systems. Recent developments include:[7]

  • Support for the HTML <model> element in Safari on visionOS
  • Enhanced WebAR capabilities
  • Improved compression techniques while maintaining direct access capabilities

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Apple and Pixar have jointly announced the USDZ file format, for use with displaying Augmented Reality content on iOS 12. TechRepublic. June 5, 2018. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "techrepublic" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Apple introduced what they see as the 'future of AR', a file format called usdz, which they have been working in collaboration with Pixar Studios for some time now. Cygnis. October 7, 2024. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "cygnis" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 A usdz package is a zero compression, unencrypted zip archive. Pixar USD Documentation. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "pixar-spec" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ The Z, in this case, stands for "zipped." Lifewire. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "lifewire" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Apple is working hard to make AR a seamless part of our world. Vectary. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "vectary" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 AR Quick Look for iOS 12 and Safari lets you view AR or 3D content overlaid on views of the real world. CyberFox Agency. September 6, 2024. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "cyberfox" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Embed Quick Look views in your apps and websites to let users see incredible detailed renderings in 3D or AR. Apple Developer. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "apple-dev" defined multiple times with different content
  8. ↑ USDZ, an extension of the USD format, was developed in collaboration with Apple to facilitate augmented reality experiences on iOS devices. CAD Interop. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "cadinterop" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Reality Composer for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS makes it easy to build, test, tune, simulate, and export AR experiences. Foveate Docs. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "foveate" defined multiple times with different content
  10. ↑ usdz_converter that comes with xcode beta can convert OBJ, Alembic ABC and USDA files. Apple Developer Forums. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "devforum" defined multiple times with different content
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Pixar released a pre-compiled Python library to convert media. 3D Cloud. February 14, 2025. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "3dcloud" defined multiple times with different content
Retrieved from "https://vrarwiki.com/index.php?title=USDZ&oldid=36089"