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This page provides information on support for the Universal Scene Description (USD) in V-Ray for 3ds Max.

 

Overview

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

Import

USD files can be loaded in 3ds Max and rendered with V-Ray with VRayScene object or USD stage object.

To load USD file in a VRayScene object, go to Create tab > Geometry > VRay category > VRayScene.

To create a USD Stage node, use File > Reference > USD Stage or navigate to Create tab > Geometry > USD category > USD Stage node.

V-Ray doesn't support Max USD Importer.

Note that import through USD Stage node is supported only for V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 1.

 

Export

Use MAX USD Exporter by navigating to File > Export> Export...(or File > Export> Export Selected...) and then choosing Universal Scene Description (.usd, .usda, .usdc, .usdz) from the available file formats in the drop-down menu. The specific file extension can also be appended manually to the name of the file. Set Materials export to: V-Ray materials and enable Chaser: V-Ray when exporting USD files with V-Ray for 3ds Max.

.usda is is a human-readable file format and can be opened in code editors like Notepad ++.

Note that export of V-Ray features to USD is supported only for V-Ray 6 for 3ds Max, update 1.

 

 

Supported USD Versions

V-Ray supports the official beta USD for 3ds Max 0.3.0, which is available for 3ds Max 2022 and 2023.

 

Supported Features

USD Rendering

The following features are supported when rendering USD files with V-Ray for 3ds Max:

  • Static meshes
  • Animated transforming meshes
  • Animated deforming meshes
  • Particles
  • USD Preview Surface material
  • V-Ray materials
  • V-Ray textures
  • V-Ray lights
  • V-Ray Displacement
  • Animation of shader and light parameters
  • User-Defined object attributes with textures such as VRayUserScalar and VRayUserColor

When system units in 3ds Max and meters per unit in USD file doesn't match, this leads to incorrect rendering of VRayLights, VRayDisplacement, Bump, and Translucent materials.

 

USD Exporting

The following features are supported when exporting USD files from 3ds Max with V-Ray:

  • V-Ray shaders (materials and textures)
  • Animation of shader parameters
  • V-Ray lights
  • Animation of VRayLight parameters
  • V-Ray Displacement
  • VRayInstancer
  • VRayProxy
  • V-Ray Physical Camera
  • User-Defined object attributes with textures such as VRayUserScalar and VRayUserColor

All V-Ray lights, textures, and materials supported for Cloud rendering, can be exported to a USD file. Check the Chaos Cloud Supported Features page to see what features can be exported to a .vrscene file, or the V-Ray log errors.


Temporary Limitations

The following features are still in development.

  • Object properties, V-Ray properties and Render settings are not exported to usd file(for matte objects use VRayWrapperMtl);
  • Export to USD of Lights instancing via VRayInstancer is not supported;
  • Direct illumination for VRayLightMtl is not exported;
  • Only bitmap files (default values) are exported for VRayLights;
  • Maps for Disc lights are not exported;
  • VRayProxy exported in USD files can't be previewed in viewport;
  • Exclude lists for VRayLights and textures for example VRayDistanceTex, VRayDirt are not exported to USD;