As new methods of reality capture proliferate and produce massive volumes of detailed information, interoperability and standardization are key to realizing the full value of 3D data. Data users in diverse industries are seeking better ways to consolidate the 3D data layers developed in different applications to allow collaborative work in a complete, realistic, intuitive digital twin environment.
The innovative film studio Pixar originally developed the Universal Scene Description (USD) framework to create immersive novel experiences for film audiences. To facilitate collaboration during film production and solve the problem of moving 3D data between tools, the USD software ecosystem describes 3D geometry and other data relating to 3D systems from any data source. USD is evolving to unlock value for users to deliver richer, more valuable information about the physical world represented in a digital format.
The benefits of USD extend far beyond filmmaking to include any application using 3D data, and its ability to transform geospatial and reality capture workflows ties in with broader efforts to support open industry standards and interoperability. Greater collaboration will enable the building of digital twins and the development of a broader range of 3D-enabled products and services.
Alliance for OpenUSD leading the way
Pixar, Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, and NVIDIA, together with the Joint Development Foundation (JDF), a part of the Linux Foundation family, formed the Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) in 2023 to provide a forum for collaborative development and discussion among parties interested in 3D standardization, development, evolution, and growth.
By enabling high-performance simulations and seamless collaboration, USD unlocks the next wave of industrial digitalization and physical AI applications. Trimble is excited to support the advancement of USD and participate as a general member of AOUSD and as a member of the Steering Committee. Combining USD’s interoperability and portability for scene recreation with Trimble’s longstanding history in precision, accuracy, and geospatial/construction ‘know-how’ will produce a powerful way to connect the workforce of the future to drive projects, streamline schedules, simulate work, make construction more predictable, and help surveyors convey their work to their clients.
Over time, AOUSD working groups will deliver standard geometry definitions and material definitions that will influence the development of geospatial hardware and software to support interoperability. As a first step, the latest release of SketchUp 3D design software includes new export functionality for the USDZ file format that allows a seamless transition between SketchUp and other 3D visualization tools.
Diverse applications across industries
The open-source USD platform has the potential to revolutionize the use of 3D data in a wide range of industries, including urban planning, transportation, architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, robotics, geospatial, and more. For any application, gathering as much data as possible to have an accurate representation of the natural environment—a digital twin—is the ultimate goal. However, standardization is necessary to share information with myriad stakeholders who may have a wide range of software or technical experience. Rather than working with a complex point cloud or tabular CSV file, a simple, intuitive visualization can enable collaboration and advance the project, with the underlying layers of detail always available to the appropriate users.
Whether the task is designing ductwork in a factory, performing structural integrity analysis, experimenting with lighting, or calculating materials volume, users will continue to use their favorite applications to achieve the best results. The benefit of USD is the flexibility to combine all the data generated in different applications into a master digital twin.
Leveraging Trimble’s unique data in new ecosystems opens up endless possibilities for collaboration with partners and effective communication with stakeholders. For example, on an infrastructure project in South Devon, the design generated in Trimble software was brought into the OpenUSD ecosystem to interoperate with NVIDIA and SimScale, resulting in a comprehensive animated wind simulation on a road and rail tunnel intersection. As an early adopter, urban planning and geospatial design firm Houseal Lavigne uses the SketchUp USDZ exporter to transfer 3D models from SketchUp to their Omniverse Kit-based application for additional interoperability, such as enhancing visual fidelity through high-quality material composition to support better decision-making during final design stages.
This interoperability will also bridge the gap as current data in existing systems is replaced by a nimbler way of describing data over time. Even as new data and technologies are introduced into everyday workflows, USD will be able to support existing applications and their current data representations. USD is a natural step towards a world where the line between digital and physical blurs, and customers are empowered to more easily connect their teams and deliver better results with confidence.
Sean Snyders, a Distinguished Engineer at Trimble based in Queensland, Australia, provides strategic technology leadership to support 3D data interoperability and international collaboration, open standards development, and technology partnerships, including as Trimble’s representative to the Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) Steering Committee.
Nathan Patton is Senior Product Manager, Reality Capture & Project Delivery, at Trimble, based in Colorado, where he works to ensure innovative technologies are used to solve real-world problems.