What Is USDZ?

USDZ is Apple's latest file format for augmented reality on its iOS platforms, including iPhone and iPad. If you've browsed the Apple News app or found yourself launching an AR experience from within the Safari web browser, there is a good chance that you've interacted with a USDZ file.

What Is the USDZ File Format?

A partnership between Apple and Pixar created the USDZ file format; it was announced at the Apple World Wide Developer Conference in Spring 2018. USDZ builds upon the existing USD format, another format created for storing 3D models and animations, but adds additional optimizations and compatibility for use with mobile devices.

Developed as an open file format, USDZ can be used and implemented by anyone interested in its capabilities. The file acts as a container that holds numerous files and tools required for the computer to open the format to display its contents properly.

What Program Opens USDZ Files?

Because USDZ is an open file format, developers can create applications that access the file's contents, but, in the meantime, you will typically access such files using Apple's new AR Quick Look app.

You won't find the AR Quick Look application on your iOS device's home screen, but instead, any USDZ files you attempt to open are automatically handled by the new software. So whether you stumble across an AR file in the Apple News app while browsing Safari or sent by a friend in iMessage, AR Quick Look will get it opened and ready for you to view.

Other programs that can open USD files and their variants include:

• Apple SceneKit
• Autodesk Inventor
• Davinci Resolve
• Fusion 360
• Houdini
• Maya
• NVIDIA Omniverse
• Vectorworks

Can I Start Creating Content with USDZ?

If you're an artist who wants to delve into the world of augmented reality, the USDZ file format provides an easy way to share content with friends, family, and coworkers; however, you'll need to wait a bit before you get started.

Adobe is the first company to announce bringing built-in support for USDZ to their suite of Creative Cloud applications. Already available as a free mobile app, the desktop version is now a beta release. For those interested, keep an eye on Adobe Project Aero for further developments and improvements.

What Is the Difference Between USD and USDZ?

The "USD" in these file formats stands for "Universal Scene Description." USD and USDZ files contain the same information, but a USDZ is a package that has been compressed for easier sending and may contain non-USD files including audio (like MP3, WAV, or M4A) and images (such as JPEG or PNG). The Z, in this case, stands for "zipped." When software expands it, it will be a folder containing everything – USD and otherwise.

You may also see files with the USDA format. The A here is for "ASCII," and it means that the files are human-readable. Non-A USD files are binary-encoded (machine-readable).