.usda File Extension
.usda file is, how to open readable USD scenes, and how Poly supports USDA files. File extension details for .usda
Partial Support| File type | Universal Scene Description ASCII scene |
|---|---|
| MIME type | |
| Encoding | UTF-8 text |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Opens with | usdview, Blender |
| Poly support | Yes. Poly recognizes USDA scenes and makes supported geometry and scene metadata available. |
| Indexed by Poly | Yes. Poly indexes the filename and creates visual similarity information for supported 3D content; available scene metadata is shown in details. |
| Preview in Poly | Yes. Poly previews supported USDA geometry and scene content. |
| Poly agent | Yes. An optimized rendition of the 3D object or scene is provided to the agent, allowing compact yet information-rich multimodal interaction with 3D files. |
What kind of file is a .usda?
A .usda file is the UTF-8 text representation of a Universal Scene Description stage. Its syntax begins with a #usda version declaration and expresses scene data such as meshes, transforms, materials, references, and variants in a form people can inspect and review.1
USDA is readable, but it may still depend on other USD files or image assets. A text file can therefore be easy to inspect while the complete scene remains distributed across several paths.
How do I open a .usda?
Use usdview to inspect USDA scenes. Blender and other 3D applications with USD import support can open them as well. A code editor is useful for reading the text, but it will not display the scene as a rendered object.
Use .usdc when compact binary storage and fast random access matter, or .usdz when the scene and its delivery resources should travel as one package. Export through a USD-aware application instead of changing the filename.
Poly support for .usda
Poly recognizes .usda as model/vnd.usda, previews supported geometry, makes the filename searchable, and records available scene metadata in the details panel. Visual similarity helps locate related 3D content. An optimized rendition of the 3D object or scene is provided to the agent, allowing compact yet information-rich multimodal interaction with 3D files.
| Construct | Poly handling |
|---|---|
| Mesh geometry, transforms, and scene hierarchy | Supported when present and valid; declared Y-up and Z-up stages are respected |
| Materials and textures | Supported when representable and available with the stage |
| References to other files | Companion files uploaded separately are not assembled into the stage; missing geometry can prevent a preview, while missing optional textures can change appearance |
| Cameras and lights | Not retained in the Poly rendition |
| Animation | Supported clips may be represented, but complete USD animation playback is not promised |
History and alternatives
USDA is one of the core USD file representations. OpenUSD documents it alongside USDC, the binary crate representation, and USDZ, the packaged form.1 Its readable syntax makes it useful for source review, small procedural fixtures, and version-control diffs, while larger scenes often benefit from a binary or packaged delivery form.
Choose .usd when the representation is intentionally generic, .usdc for binary storage, or .usdz for a portable package. Renaming a file does not change its representation.
Footnotes
- OpenUSD. USD Frequently Asked Questions. ↩ ↩2