In the field of the film and animation industry, 3D file management is fundamental. In order to simplify the handling of these files, the Superior Technical Commission for Sound and Images (CST) of France has launched 3D-Info, an open-source and lightweight tool that allows exploring files in Universal Scene Description (USD) format. This application has been designed to offer a simple and accessible option for artists who do not have a technical background in digital design.
Main Features of 3D-Info
Although there are other tools like UsdView, which offers basic functions such as a native USD format viewer, 3D-Info stands out for its simplicity and ease of use. Frédéric Fermon, the project leader, explained that the inspiration to develop this tool came from MediaInfo, a well-known tool for analyzing video file metadata, adapted to a 3D environment. With this idea, 3D-Info becomes an ideal option for creative professionals who seek a quick and efficient way to explore USD files without complicating themselves with more complex applications.
What Does the Beta Version of 3D-Info Offer?
The beta version of 3D-Info allows users to navigate USD scenes with optimized rendering that seeks to offer quality similar to that of UsdView. However, the great advantage of 3D-Info lies in its accessible approach, ideal for artists who need to explore their models or scenes without complications. In the future, the team behind 3D-Info plans to incorporate new functionalities, such as:
- Lighting adjustments: To customize the appearance of scenes.
- Cameras and shading: Advanced tools for complete control of visualizations.
- Inspection tools: To explore scene data and object hierarchies in detail.
Perspectives and Collaborative Development
One of the goals of this project is to foster collaboration within work teams, enabling functionalities such as comments on scenes and the distribution of files among different team members. In fact, the development of 3D-Info is being carried out in collaboration with prominent studios in the industry, such as Loops Creative Studio and Plateau Virtuel, who already use the USD format in their animation and film productions.
“The 3D-Info tool seeks to make the use of USD files more accessible, facilitating the work of artists and creatives without the need for complex software.”
The CST continues working to expand the potential of 3D-Info, incorporating new features that further optimize the process of exploring and manipulating scenes in USD format. With its focus on simplicity and efficiency, 3D-Info promises to become an essential tool in the workflow of the film and animation industry. The viewer is available for free download from Gitlab.