.USDZ

📌 In common, the .USDZ file schema includes a 3D object or scene represented in the USDZ Universal extension approach, entirely designed by Pixar Animation Studios and Apple enterprises. Basically, it can be defined as an unencrypted and uncompressed .ZIP file archive that holds a Universal Scene Description (.USDC, .USDA, or .USD) pattern, embracing the overall shading and 3D geometry data. Besides, .USDZ file elements may also encompass .JPEG and .PNG image textures in a bunch with related .WAV, .MP3, or .M4A audio file samples and sequences being processed in the proper .USDZ 3D scene or object.

The .USDZ extension principle was initially invented in 2018 and served for addressing issues with the deliverability of .USDZ file items stored in the Universal Scene Description (USD) logic, which is correspondingly distinguished as a data layout designed by Pixar Animation Studios and intended to streamline their 3D graphics pipeline abilities. Precisely, the aforementioned .USD branch nodes involve multiple “layers”, which embrace various source elements that collaborating colorists and graphical artists can creatively handle and work over in the individual principle and combine to form a unified, composite .USDZ tailored scene or visual composition. These .UDSZ related peculiar file layers can be modified, packaged, assembled, and defined by various 3D toolkits taken into the featured arsenal by the overall Pixar 3D graphics pipeline model.

In accordance with a broad range of various 3D assets that constitute the relevant layers in the .USD logical algorithm, it is pretty hard to review a .USD embraced 3D scene or object as one unified graphical object. For this particular reason, Pixar collaborated with Apple to invent the .USDZ format category as a more shareable and exchangeable edition of the former .USD file build-up.

Generally, .USDZ data items are packaged and encoded as plain .ZIP archive file sets, although they are not encrypted or compressed in any way. Accurately, the .USDZ file schema ordinarily packages the source .USDC, .USDA, and .USD data resources, which hold and maintain information regarding the distinctive 3D scene or object, in conjunction with related .WAV, .MP3, .M4A, .JPEG, and .PNG content.

Obviously, you will encounter an opportunity to tackle with .USDZ data assets if you are working as a developer composing profound 3D scenes or objects for an assigned application or web-portal. More than that, you can also download an associated .USDZ file palette via email or receive an appropriate .USDZ wrapped 3D model online. One most obvious case of the .USDZ schema employment is to permit users to review designed 3D objects in augmented reality (AR). For instance, an online-allocated furniture shop could effortlessly publish a comprehensive, stunningly realistic 3D model of a sofa in the .USDZ representation so that a user could view his reprojected living room in various perspectives to acquire a general impression of how this type of .USDZ enclosed furniture would look like in his personal space.

By the way, iPads and iPhones running on the basis of iOS 12 and later builds maintain the .USDZ data entries employing the AR Quick Look utility. Various .USDZ compatible mobile toolkits served with iPadOS and iOS mobile environments, such as Messages and Safari, come packaged with the AR Quick Look feature.

There are several other suites adapted for iPadOS, iOS, and macOS platforms that still remain consistent with the .USDZ format layout and may effortlessly open them. For example, Apple Preview utility, which is distributed natively with macOS infrastructure, can review, visualize, and open up the .USDZ file instances. Reality Composer stands out as another applet designed by Apple enterprise that can monitor .USDZ content, as well as convert, save, and alter the .USDZ data samples to alternate layouts. Yet, this particular .USDZ consistent solution is supported by iPadOS and iOS systems and is shared with Apple Xcode 11 for macOS desktop environment.

Later, in January 2020 Apple also released the Reality Converter suite. This particular package assists you to drag-and-drop various 3D file types, such as .GLTF, .USD, and .OBJ models, into the suggested app shell to convert and review these predefined file entities to the .USDZ schema.

How to open an .USDZ file?

📌 The .USDZ container entries can be easily, flexibly, and seamlessly opened up and visualized by Apple Preview, Apple Reality Converter, Apple Xcode, Apple Reality Composer, Apple Messages, and Apple Safari software products. The .USDZ format approach is compatible with macOS and iOS architectures only, unexceptionally.