Install & Compatibility
Where this runs
tested against v26.8 · pip install
no network on importno background threads
Install × environment matrix
Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux
muslpy 3.10–3.910 runs
build_error
glibcpy 3.10–3.910 runs
installs and imports cleanly · install 2.7s · import 0.260s · 231MB
228MB installed
● package 228MB
Code
Verified usage
Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.
Usd, UsdGeom, Sdf, Gf
✓ from pxr import Usd, UsdGeom, Sdf, Gf
✗ import Usd
USD Python modules are nested under the 'pxr' namespace.
This quickstart demonstrates how to create a simple USD stage, define a transform (Xform) and a sphere (UsdGeom.Sphere) prim, set an attribute, and save the stage to a .usda file. All core USD Python modules are accessed via the `pxr` namespace.
from pxr import Usd, UsdGeom
import os
# Create a new USD stage in memory or on disk
output_filename = os.environ.get('USD_OUTPUT_FILE', 'HelloWorld.usda')
stage = Usd.Stage.CreateNew(output_filename)
# Define a root transform prim at the path /hello
xformPrim = UsdGeom.Xform.Define(stage, '/hello')
# Define a sphere prim nested under the transform at /hello/world
spherePrim = UsdGeom.Sphere.Define(stage, '/hello/world')
# Set a radius for the sphere
spherePrim.GetRadiusAttr().Set(2.0)
# Save the stage to a file
stage.GetRootLayer().Save()
print(f"Created {output_filename} with a sphere at /hello/world")
usdcat --version
Debug
Known issues
breakingPython 3.8 support is deprecated as of a recent OpenUSD release (noted in CHANGELOG) and will be removed in the subsequent release. Users on Python 3.8 should plan to upgrade.fixUpgrade your Python environment to 3.9 or higher (up to <3.14 as per PyPI).
affects: >=26.03 (deprecation, removal in next major)
gotchaThe `usd-core` PyPI package provides only the core USD libraries for authoring, composing, and reading. It *does not* include optional plugins, imaging features, or tools like `usdview` (Pixar's scene inspector). For a full USD experience, including `usdview` and other utilities, you generally need to download pre-built binaries from NVIDIA or build OpenUSD from source.fixIf `usdview` or full imaging capabilities are needed, refer to NVIDIA's OpenUSD developer resources for pre-built binaries or the OpenUSD GitHub repository for build instructions.
affects: All versions
deprecatedThe older `displayName`, `displayGroup`, and `hidden` metadata APIs within `UsdUI` were deprecated in v25.11 in favor of a new, dictionary-valued `uiHints` metadata field.fixMigrate UI metadata to use the `uiHints` dictionary for prims and properties, which supports features like `shownIf` and `valueLabels`.
affects: >=25.11
breakingBeginning with the 26.03 release, the `usd-core` PyPI package utilizes the C++11 ABI. Furthermore, clients building C++ code against OpenUSD with Visual Studio must enable the `/permissive-` (strict standards conformance) flag.fixEnsure your C++ toolchain and project settings are updated to be compatible with C++11 ABI and, for Visual Studio, enable the `/permissive-` flag.
affects: >=26.03
deprecatedSupport for negative layer offset scale has been removed, and the `PCP_ALLOW_NEGATIVE_LAYER_OFFSET_SCALE` environment variable has been removed. Additionally, the `SDF_FILE_FORMAT_LEGACY_IMPORT` environment variable is now set to 'warn' by default, indicating that legacy `.sdf` file format header support will be removed in a future release.fixAvoid using negative layer offset scales. For `.sdf` files, ensure they are in a modern format to prevent future compatibility issues.
affects: >=26.03 (removal of negative layer offset scale), all versions (legacy .sdf warning)
gotchaUsers on Windows running Python 3.8+ within `conda` environments may encounter DLL loading failures (e.g., `DLL load failed while importing _tf`). This was addressed in USD 22.03.fixEnsure you are using a recent `usd-core` version (22.03 or newer). As a workaround for older versions or persistent issues, setting the environment variable `CONDA_DLL_SEARCH_MODIFICATION_ENABLE=1` might resolve the problem.
affects: Earlier versions, especially on Windows with Python 3.8+ in Conda.
Upgrade
Version history
26.8latest on PyPI · released Jul 20, 2026
Audit
Dependencies
pythonrequiredRequired Python interpreter version for the package.
types-usdoptionalProvides type hints for improved IDE auto-completion. Not strictly required for runtime.