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USD or Universal Scene Description (.usd)  is a framework and file format , developed by Pixar, that allows 3D scenes and assets to be transferred and edited on multiple applications. USD focuses on workflows that allow multiple users to collaborate on a project without conflict by using non-destructive editing, asset versions and variations. For more information, visit Getting Started with USD.  

 

Workflow

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Import

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USD files can be loaded in Maya and rendered with V-Ray using the MayaUSD plugin with mayaUsdProxy nodes.

We recommend following a standard workflow with MayaUSD when rendering with V-Ray. See the video for more.

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For V-Ray 5, update 2 it is recommended to use MayaUSD 0.10.0 or newer.

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  • In Maya, go to Create > Universal Scene Description (USD) > Stage From File...
  • Locate the desired USD file in the directory window.
  • Click on Create.
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The standard workflow imports V-Ray materials as Maya materials.

 

 

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  • V-Ray materials that are exported as USD files can be imported into Maya as native V-Ray materials using the mayaUSDImport command.

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If you are using a zip-installed V-Ray 5, update 2, for Maya or newer, make sure to set up the PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME environment variable. Otherwise, exporting and importing V-Ray Physical Cameras is impossible. For more information on setting up environment variables, please visit the Installation from zip page.

 

 

Export

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  • Exporting V-Ray shaders to USD versions up to 0.13.0 including:
    from File > Export All... or Export Selection... (select the Option box) > General Options and as File Type, select USD Export. Under File Type Specific Options > Geometry, set the Materials to V-Ray MaterialExporter.

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    When using USD 0.15.0 or below, if V-Ray is not selected as Plug-In Configuration, but the V-Ray Materials option is enabled, the export fails with an error. If V-Ray is selected as a Plug-In Configuration, but the V-Ray Material option is disabled, the exported USD does not contain the V-Ray materials.

  • For USD version 0.15.0 or higher:
    in the File > Export All Options window, set the File Type to USD Export, choose whether the materials are to be exported as USD Preview Surface or as V-Ray materials. You can export all materials in the scene as one or multiple types of networks.

    • Alternatively, you can use the Export Materials to USD option in the V-Ray menuFor more information, please visit the Export Materials to USD page.

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Maya USD versions 0.17.0 and newer are supported on Maya 2022 and newer. Running these USD versions on earlier versions of Maya, prints out a warning.

 

 

Supported features

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USD Rendering

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  • Static meshes
  • Animated transforming meshes
  • Animated deforming meshes
  • Motion blur for animated meshes
  • Particles
  • Hair
  • VDB volumes referenced in USD files
  • UsdPreviewSurface material
  • V-Ray materials encoded in USD files
  • V-Ray textures encoded in USD files
  • V-Ray lights encoded in USD files.1
  • USD light types encoded in USD files (including Maya's Spot, Direct, Point lights).
  • V-Ray Displacement and Subdivision encoded in USD files
  • Local rendering of USD edits that are not saved to USD file on disc
  • Bifrost USD graphs
  • Animation of shader parameters
  • Maya nParticles and nParticle animations6

  • USD Skel
  • Dynamic USD plugins (e.g. Golaem for USD)
  • VDB shaders
  • Custom V-Ray attributes with USD Utility Textures such as VRayUserScalar and VRayUserColor.

 

 

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Rendering a scene with USD edits that are not saved to a USD file on disc will likely produce an unexpected result when using Distributed Rendering, or submitting to the Chaos Cloud, or exporting to .vrscene from Maya.

Make sure your USD edits are always saved when using these features. USD edits will generally render correctly only when rendering locally.

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  • V-Ray shaders (materials and textures). For USD version up to 0.13 the required exporter is V-Ray Material Exporter. For version 0.15 and above, the V-Ray Plug-in Configuration needs to be selected.2
  • V-Ray lights1
  • V-Ray Displacement; V-Ray Subdivision
  • V-Ray Physical Camera
  • Maya nParticles and nParticle animations6
  • Custom V-Ray attributes with USD Utility Textures such as VRayUserScalar and VRayUserColor.

  • Render elements9

 

Exporting V-Ray materials and VRayDisplacement

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The order of flags and arguments is not strict. The flags can be placed before and/or after the string argument for the export file path.

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Temporary Limitations

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The following features are still in development and support for them will be added soon.

  1. Lights are supported with USD version 0.10.0 or newer.
  2. Exporting light textures are supported only with the "Export All" option
  3. Exporting V-Ray Fur to USD from Maya
  4. Detecting USD edits in IPR
  5. Importing V-Ray materials applied to particle animations from USD files
  6. nParticles and nParticle animations are supported with USD version 0.16.0. nParticle animations with an emitter are not visible in the viewport
  7. Exporting volumes to USD files
  8. Exporting a USD scene with Hair
  9. Some Render Elements are not supported for USD export. V-Ray prints out a warning when an unsupported render element is submitted for export.