usd-convert-cad

The Omniverse CAD Converter, distributed using the usd-convert-cad package and command-line identifier, converts supported CAD files to OpenUSD.

This repository contains the Python package sources, agent skill, and documentation for the Omniverse CAD Converter.

This is a Skillhub-style repository for agent-assisted CAD conversion workflows. It contains the instructions, documentation, and workflow contract that AI agents use to install, verify, and run the usd-convert-cad wheel from a Python environment.

The repository does not require agents to install Omniverse Kit, pull an extension from an extension registry, or run a Kit app. Conversion is performed through the pip-installable usd-convert-cad package, which provides the usd-convert-cad command-line entry point and bundles the OpenUSD (pxr) and CAD conversion runtime needed by the tool.

Key repository areas:

• skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd - canonical NVIDIA Agent Skill for CAD-to-USD conversion.
• docs - CAD-to-OpenUSD concept mapping and related documentation.
• source/python - Python package notes and wheel metadata used by the installable package.
• LIMITATIONS.md - known package and converter limitations.
• CONTRIBUTING.md - contribution requirements and supported-format update policy.

Getting Started

Create an isolated Python 3.12 environment, install the package, and verify the command is available.

Windows:

python -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install usd-convert-cad
usd-convert-cad --help

Linux:

python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install usd-convert-cad
usd-convert-cad --help

If the package is hosted on an NVIDIA package index rather than public PyPI, add the appropriate index URL:

python -m pip install usd-convert-cad --extra-index-url https://pypi.nvidia.com

The canonical skill lives at skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd/SKILL.md. The installed wheel also includes the skill so agents can discover the same workflow guidance from the package.

Requirements

• Runtime: Python 3.12.
• Package: usd-convert-cad installed from a Python package index.
• Network: package-index access during install only.
• OS/Arch: Windows x86_64, Linux x86_64, or Linux aarch64.
• Licensing: proprietary CAD formats can require CAD converter licensing.

Use a dedicated virtual environment. The wheel bundles its own OpenUSD (pxr) runtime, so isolation avoids conflicts with other OpenUSD distributions in the same interpreter.

The wheel is self-contained at runtime and does not depend on Omniverse Kit, usd-core, or a separately installed pxr package.

Usage

After installing the wheel, convert an input CAD asset from the command line. usd-convert-cad is the installed console script; python -m usd_convert_cad runs the same CLI through the Python module.

usd-convert-cad -i path/to/input.step -o path/to/output.usdc

See skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd/SKILL.md for the full option table.

License And Contributions

This project is governed by the NVIDIA agreements in LICENSE.md. The agent skill under skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd carries its Apache-2.0 and CC-BY-4.0 license text in skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd/LICENSE.md. See THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md for third-party notices.

External contributions are accepted only with Developer Certificate of Origin (DCO) sign-off. See CONTRIBUTING.md for contribution requirements and the full DCO text.

Repository Layout

usd-convert-cad/
├── source/python/                    # Python package and wheel sources
├── skills/
│   └── omniverse-cad-to-usd/
│       └── SKILL.md        # canonical skill source
├── .agent  -> skills                      # symlink
├── .cursor -> skills                      # symlink
├── .claude -> skills                      # symlink
├── .codex  -> skills                      # symlink
├── docs/
│   └── concept_mapping.md
├── .gitignore
├── CHANGELOG.md
├── CONTRIBUTING.md
├── LICENSE.md
├── README.md
├── SECURITY.md
└── THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md

The output path determines the USD file format. Supported output extensions are .usd, .usda, and .usdc. USDZ (.usdz) export is not supported.

The command returns exit code 0 on success and prints Successfully converted: <output>. On failure, it returns a non-zero exit code and prints the converter error message to stderr. Agent workflows should branch on the exit code and confirm the expected output file exists before continuing.

Common conversion options include --tess-lod, --revit-lod, --accurate-tessellation, --convert-curves, --convert-metadata, --no-dedup, --no-normals, --no-materials, --material-type, --up-axis, --instancing-style, --composition-style, --filter-style, --load-hidden, --progress, --convert-physics-data, and --view-layer-name.

Common examples:

# Choose output format by extension: .usd, .usda, or .usdc.
usd-convert-cad -i assembly.step -o assembly.usdc

# Export geometry without materials.
usd-convert-cad -i assembly.step -o assembly.usda --no-materials

# Convert metadata and keep hidden CAD elements as hidden USD prims.
usd-convert-cad -i plant.ifc -o plant.usdc --convert-metadata --filter-style hide

# Increase tessellation level of detail.
usd-convert-cad -i part.jt -o part.usdc --tess-lod 4

# Convert a CAD view layer or simplified representation by name.
usd-convert-cad -i assembly.asm -o assembly.usdc --view-layer-name "Manufacturing"

Run usd-convert-cad --help for the authoritative option list for the installed wheel version.

Supported Input Formats

The package supports the CAD, AEC, and interchange formats documented by the installed wheel, including:

• JT: .jt
• DGN: .dgn
• CATIA V5 / V6: .catpart, .catproduct, .cgr, .3dxml
• IFC: .ifc, .ifczip
• NX / Creo / Solid Edge: .prt, .asm, .par, .pwd, .psm
• Parasolid: .xmt, .x_t, .x_b, .xmt_txt
• SolidWorks: .sldprt, .sldasm
• Autodesk Inventor: .ipt, .iam
• AutoCAD 3D: .dwg, .dxf
• Revit: .rvt, .rfa
• STEP / IGES: .stp, .step, .igs, .iges
• Rhino: .3dm
• Common 3D interchange formats: .stl, .dae, .fbx, .obj, .3ds, .3mf, .gltf, .glb
• ACIS: .sat, .sab

AutoCAD (.dwg, .dxf) and Revit (.rvt, .rfa) inputs are not supported on Linux aarch64.

Known limitations are documented in LIMITATIONS.md.

Releases

• Releases/Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
• Skill version: skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd/SKILL.md
• Package version source: VERSION

Contribution Guidelines

Use GitHub pull requests for skill, documentation, package metadata, and supported-format updates. Keep changes focused and document user-visible behavior.

Before opening a pull request:

• Verify the wheel installs in Python 3.12.
• Run usd-convert-cad --help.
• Convert a small shareable CAD asset when changing documented commands, options, formats, or workflow behavior.
• Update README.md and skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd/SKILL.md together when behavior, options, supported formats, or external workflow contracts change.

External contributions require Developer Certificate of Origin (DCO) sign-off. See CONTRIBUTING.md for contribution requirements and the full DCO text.

Governance & Maintainers

This project is maintained by NVIDIA. Project governance, maintainers, and triage policy are managed by the repository owners.

Security

• Vulnerability disclosure: SECURITY.md
• Do not file public issues for security reports.

Support

• Level: Community support through repository issues.
• How to get help: Open a GitHub issue with environment details, input asset type, conversion command, and error output.
• Include: OS/architecture, Python version, wheel version, input format, requested output format, full conversion command, logs or stack traces, and a small reproduction asset when it can be shared.

Community

Use repository issues and pull requests for project communication.

References

• Agent skill: skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd/SKILL.md
• Python package notes: source/python/README.md
• Concept mapping: docs/concept_mapping.md
• Known limitations: LIMITATIONS.md
• OpenUSD: https://openusd.org/
• NVIDIA Omniverse: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/omniverse/

License

Omniverse CAD Converter and usd-convert-cad are governed by the NVIDIA agreements in LICENSE.md.

The agent skill under skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd carries Apache-2.0 and CC-BY-4.0 license text in skills/omniverse-cad-to-usd/LICENSE.md.

Third-party notices and license attributions are listed in THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md.