As the chimera of a unified space slowly, but surely, takes shape, it's important to highlight these new formats that are paving the way for a virtualized Internet between spatial computing, the virtual world and extended reality.
While some of these words sound like marketing accorhe exploited by some, others are being analyzed by others.
What does it really mean?
Think of it as a language that everyone can understand, and in which the sharing of information is understood by every system, allowing each platform or tool to be exploited for specific functionalities, but never limited in the way it can be modified or optimized, because there's no longer a limit to the type of file.
This also offers a new way of distributing these formats across the multiple new means of digital expression, with the concrete examples of AR or VR in mind, but all of which can also, for example, be implemented in an NFT and then shared between 2 worlds, one developed on unity and the other on the unreal engine, for example.
Let's go into more detail:
Universal Scene Description (USD): Unifying the Digital Universe
In the vast realm of digital technologies, USD acts as a gravitational force, centralizing data representation for seamless collaboration across departments and applications. Its modular design eases integration of new technologies, making VFX pipelines adaptable and efficient.
glTF: The Real-Time 3D Voyager
glTF, tailored for real-time 3D, optimizes storage and rapid asset transfer. Features like PBR materials and hierarchical animations suit gaming, VR/AR, and cinema. Unity's recent adoption underscores its importance, enhancing compatibility and integration in modern development environments. more to read :
Comparison and Choice between USD and glTF
Choosing between USD and glTF hinges on project-specific requirements. glTF excels in real-time performance and gaming, while USD thrives in large-scale, complex productions with advanced data management and inter-application collaboration.
Integration of USD in VFX Pipelines and Collaboration with glTF
Integrating USD in VFX pipelines and coupling it with glTF yields numerous advantages. These include real-time collaboration, streamlined workflows, and improved asset exchange, empowering studios to create efficient, cost-effective, and visually stunning projects.
Toward a Unified and Harmonious Metaverse
3D asset interoperability, guided by USD and glTF formats, is pivotal for a cohesive and interconnected metaverse. This pursuit of digital harmony mirrors science's quest to comprehend and unite the laws of the universe, opening doors to unexplored and captivating possibilities in the digital domain.