- The Alliance for OpenUSD launches new standards working groups to promote interoperable 3D technologies.
- The Materials Working Group focuses on standardizing material definitions within OpenUSD to enhance look development workflows.
- The Geometry Working Group aims to establish specifications for describing surfaces, shapes, and volumes in USD for virtual and physical environments.
Alliance for OpenUSD launches new standards working groups for interoperable 3D, aiming to foster interoperability in 3D workflows through the introduction of new working groups and collaboration with industry leaders.
Always improving: The Alliance for OpenUSD is launching new standards working groups to promote interoperable 3D technologies. This initiative aims to establish common technical formats for digital technologies, particularly focusing on OpenUSD, a 3D file format based on Pixar's Universal Scene Description (USD). The alliance is dedicated to enhancing interoperability in 3D workflows and has welcomed eight new general members, including Ansys, Bright Machines, Intel, Maxon, Siemens, Trimble, Worley, and WPP. Intel's involvement is significant, given Nvidia's initial role in driving the Omniverse platform. The alliance's goal is to facilitate the seamless integration of digital objects across various platforms, ensuring consistency and compatibility.
Deeper details: The Alliance for OpenUSD has introduced two new working groups to advance standardization in the 3D industry. The Materials Working Group focuses on enhancing look development workflows by standardizing material definitions within OpenUSD. This group aims to promote collaboration among different tools, applications, and renderers by ensuring the consistency and predictability of materials. On the other hand, the Geometry Working Group is dedicated to establishing specifications for describing surfaces, shapes, and volumes in USD for both virtual and physical environments. This group also aims to set interoperability standards for CAD geometry data, crucial for various industries such as media, entertainment, industrial, manufacturing, and architecture.
Looking ahead: The Alliance for OpenUSD has solidified its commitment to collaboration by forming a liaison relationship with the Academy Software Foundation (ASWF). This partnership focuses on material interchange through ASWF's MaterialX project, aiming to drive innovation in the motion picture community. Additionally, Pixar has unveiled OpenUSD v24.03, introducing features that enhance usability and compatibility across platforms and applications. Notably, this release includes support for Unicode identifiers, enabling content creators worldwide to encode USD in their native languages. Industry leaders like Ansys and Bright Machines have expressed excitement about the initiative, highlighting the potential for enhanced simulation, digital twins, and data management capabilities.
Who its for:: The Alliance for OpenUSD's strategic expansion, establishment of crucial working groups, and collaboration with the Academy Software Foundation reflect the industry's increasing dedication to fostering interoperability in 3D workflows. By setting common technical standards and promoting collaboration among industry players, OpenUSD is paving the way for a more seamless and efficient 3D ecosystem. The involvement of key companies like Intel, Ansys, and Bright Machines underscores the industry's recognition of the importance of interoperability in driving innovation and growth. This collaborative effort is poised to shape the future of 3D technologies and workflows, benefiting a wide range of sectors from entertainment to manufacturing.
