Is there any way to get a USDZ file without a Mac?

Question

The issue I'm having is that the only way I know of (currently) generating a USDZ file is through the Xcode Command Line Tools. This means I'm obligated to use a Mac server if I want to define this as a service.

Is there any other way which would enable me to scale this and get rid of the Mac server?

I have read about the USD format and browsed the issues in their repo, and they say that they're currently developing tools for converting from USD to USDZ, but they don't have an ETA yet.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

The answer is YES.

As we all know Apple and Pixar together developed a USDZ file format. It's a compact and simple format that's designed to let people share AR content "while retaining great 3D graphics and even animations." The USDZ format is addressing the typically large storage size of AR content, which can make it harder to share information easily and quickly. Companies like Adobe are adopting the USDZ format to work with its Creative Cloud platform, which includes apps like Photoshop and Dimension. Thus, USDZ file format is not platform-dependant.

A USDZ package is merely a zero compression, unencrypted Zip Archive. USDZ packages are maximally useful within production pipelines. A USDZ file is read-only - editing its contents requires first unpacking the package and editing its constituent parts using appropriate tools because USDZ is a "core" USD file format.

Of course, you can generate a USDZ file without a Mac. For this you need a plugin for any of the following professional tools: Autodesk Maya, The Foundry Katana, or SideFX Houdini. For more detailed information read this Pixar's webpage.