How to create a USDZ file?

Question

I tried to look at the main documentation at http://graphics.pixar.com/usd/docs/index.html and http://graphics.pixar.com/usd/docs/Usdz-File-Format-Specification.html but cou

Answer 1

You can now create usdz files in SketchUp Pro using a prebuilt plugin.

1. Download usdz plugin from https://github.com/drwave/usd-sketchup/blob/master/USDExporter.plugin.zip

2. Unzip file, and place USDExporter.plugin in Plugins directory inside the SketchUp Pro app bundle. You can do this from Terminal by the following. Note you will need to type an admin password, as the directory is probably write-protected

   Sudo cp -rf USDExporter.plugin /Applications/SketchUp\ 2018/SketchUp.app/Contents/Plugins/

Answer 2

Assuming that you're on macOS, since you're trying to create USDZ files, then Apple released Reality Converter (currently Beta) in January of this year (2020). It allows you to drag and drop OBJ files and export to USDZ.

Answer 3

You can now easily create/export USDZ from Unity:

https://blogs.unity3d.com/2019/03/28/pixars-universal-scene-description-for-unity-out-in-preview/

Answer 4

A gallery of usdz files are provided by Apple at the url below

https://developer.apple.com/arkit/gallery/

You need a device with iOS12 beta installed for the models to be viewable on your mobile device. Basically Apple uses Mime-types model/usd usdz and model/und.pixar.usd .usdz to identify them as AR viewable. You also need to do this via the safari browser... Chrome does not support the file format.

the html to list a thumbnail usdz file would be the following.

<a rel="ar" href="model.usdz">
  <img src="model-preview.jpg">
</a>

to create your own usdz files, Apple has bundled usdz_converter as part of Xcode 10. Its a command line tool for creating the usdz file from OBJ files, Single-frame Alembic (ABC) files, USD file (either .usda or usd.c)

the basic command line is

xcrun usdz_converter Wineglass.obj Wineglass.usdz  

usdz supports physically based renders, to achieve this you add images for each component of the PBR like so,

xcrun usdz_converter Wineglass.obj Wineglass.usdz 
-g WineGlassMesh
-color_map WineGlass_Albedo.png
-metallic_map WineGlass_Metallic.png
-roughness_map WineGlass_Roughness.png
-normal_map .  WineGlass_Normal.png
-emissive_map  WineGlass_Emissive.png

A good video to get you started on how to create usdz files, host on a webpage & create a quicklook in your own app

https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2018/603/

Answer 5

@Ash, you have to activate the command line tools in Xcode preferences, in case they're not actived yet (that was my case). See image below.

Answer 6

You can create usdz files online in a tool called Vectary:

1. Open Vectary editor.

2. Create your 3D model or import your 3D file with drag and drop (OBJ, STL, GLTF, DAE).

3. Export as USDZ 3D file in the right panel.

4. You will receive an email with a link to download your USDZ file.

More info on the url below:
https://www.vectary.com/3d-modeling-how-to/how-to-create-usdz-file-for-ar-online/

You don't need to rewrite the names of the object or materials, the tool does all the work.