Working with USD Files
USD is a 3D format that packages everything needed for a model—geometry, textures, and materials—into a single file. USD also supports Photo-Based Rendering (PBR) texture maps that help create realistic visuals. USD is widely used in VFX and Augmented Reality workflows. The main benefits of working with a USD file are:
It bundles all parts of the model, making it easy to share and view.
It’s optimized for real-time viewing and smoothly displays on compatible devices.
SketchUp supports all USD file types. USD is ideal for sharing high-quality 3D assets in applications where realistic rendering is key.
Importing a USD File
To import a USD file into SketchUp, follow these steps:
Select File > Import.
Locate and select the USD file you want to import.
(Optional) Click Options. The USD Import Options dialog appears with the following options:
Up Axis defines the position of the Up Axis during import. Choose between Auto, Y-Up, and Z-Up.
Units allows you to select a specific unit of measurement SketchUp will use for your imported file.
Edge Visibility controls the visibility of imported mesh edges. Choose between Auto, Visible, and Hidden.
Click OK to save your choices, or Cancel to return to the import dialog.
Click Import.
When you import a USD file, keep in mind the following:
Files created in SketchUp, exported to USD, then brought back to SketchUp (re-imported files), preserve IDs, structures, materials, and cameras. These attributes may not match in files created in and exported from other programs. Any empty containers due to missed matches will be skipped and won’t appear in Outliner.
Importing automatically aligns embedded metadata—including units, scaling, up-axis orientation, and north-correction—with your existing document settings.
Standard USD composition rules are followed to resolve linked references and payloads across all layers. The imported geometry is kept within a single component instance named after your source file.
Mesh entities retain names, UV mapping, normal vectors, and visibility settings. Faces containing inner loops import cleanly without unwanted triangulation. Basic primitive shapes are converted into meshed geometry at appropriate detail levels, and unassigned surfaces automatically generate materials using their display color and transparency settings.
USD cameras convert into Scenes while preserving active styles and visibility configurations. Re-imported SketchUp files maintain exact camera parameters. External files utilize approximate attribute matching and inherit labels from the camera node.
HDR and EXR lighting environments import seamlessly. Re-imported files retain orientation, brightness, mapping, and sun positions while third-party dome lights map attributes automatically without replacing your current environment setup.
Exporting a USD File
To export a model as a USD file, follow these steps:
Select File > Export > 3D Model.
Navigate to the location where you want to save your file.
From the drop-down list, select the USD file type you want to export to.
(Optional) Click Options. The USD Export Options dialog appears with the following options:
Feature Level defines how your exported data is structured. Choose between Normal for typical exports, or Round Trip if you plan on bringing the file back into SketchUp.
Texture Level controls how materials are handled during the export. Choose between Normal for no changes, or Baked to create new textures with better fidelity with a larger import size.
The Geometry options allow you to export only what’s selected when you initiate the export, or choose to export hidden geometry as well as visible geometry.
Change the name of your file if necessary and click Export .
When you export a USD file, keep in mind the following:
Exporting explicitly records embedded units, scaling, and up-axis orientation to maintain consistency for re-imported files.
Mesh entities preserve surfaces, interior loops, UV maps, vector normals, and side visibility attributes seamlessly.
Groups, component definitions, and instances retain unique identifiers. Full organizational hierarchies, nested relationships, node labels, and visibility settings transition smoothly.
Material definitions save corresponding names, persistent IDs, attributes, and PBR textures like normal maps and roughness. Specific face assignments, style overrides, and material inheritance maintain complete fidelity.
Scenes and active viewports convert directly to USD cameras, preserving position, orientation, field of view, aspect ratio, projection style, node labels, and ID tags.
Environment maps, brightness levels, rotation angles, and solar placement transfer alongside associated persistent identifiers.
Geographic coordinates—including latitude, longitude, and north orientation—export cleanly to place models accurately in external applications.
Importing and Exporting Materials as USD Files
To import materials, you will use SketchUp’s reader. SketchUp’s reader helps determine the diffuse color based on the material type when importing a material. If the material is textured, the diffuse color is set to pure white. Otherwise, it uses the specified diffuse color.
SketchUp calculates the ambient and specular colors by multiplying the diffuse color by a factor of 0.5. The emission color is always set to black. The reader extracts appropriate metalness, roughness, ambient occlusion values and normal maps PBR materials.
For USD files, the reader extracts material properties based on the shader configuration as follows:
diffuseColor – Diffuse color and map
normal – Normal map
opacity – Opacity map and alpha value
displacement – Displacement strength and map
roughness – Roughness value and map
metallic – Metalness value and map
emissiveColor – Emission color and map
specularColor – Specular color and map
occlusion – Occlusion map and strength
clearcoat – Clearcoat thickness map and value
clearcoatRoughness – Roughness map and value
ior – Eta map and eta value
SketchUp’s writer processes diffuse color and opacity values as well as PBR maps. For USD files, the writer saves the following material properties:
diffuseColor – Diffuse color and map
opacity – Opacity map
normal – Normal map
displacement – Displacement strength connected to the displacement map
roughness – Roughness value and map
metallic – Metalness value and map
emissiveColor – Emission color and map
specularColor – Specular color and map
occlusion – Occlusion strength connected to the occlusion map
clearcoat – Clearcoat thickness connected to the thickness map
ior – Eta value connected to the eta map
Below is a snapshot from a USD file showing the written material properties.
