Workflow Checklist#

Checkpoints that every asset should pass to be considered SimReady for AI Factory workflows.

Note

Before starting this workflow, ensure you have USD Composer and the CLI tools installed. Refer to Setup for installation instructions.

Process Checklist#

Step 1: Source CAD to USD Conversion

Refer to CAD Conversion.

  • Source CAD asset converts to USD successfully (through Connector, CAD Converter, or CLI) and can be opened and viewed in USDView or an Omniverse Kit app

    • If the pivot is not aligned at the mounting point and at world origin - address in the CAD file

Step 2: Understand Required Fixes

Refer to USD Validation.

  • Run Asset Validator through GUI or CLI and save a report (CLI generates reports automatically)

Step 3: Develop a Scene Optimizer Preset

Refer to Scene Optimizer Presets. Test individual processors on a temporary stage that is a copy of your converted file.

  • Up-axis set to Z (generic)

  • MPU set to 1.0 (generic)

  • Coinciding meshes removal (generic)

  • Remove unnecessary mesh density (generic)

  • Mesh cleanup (generic)

  • Generate normals (generic)

  • Deduplicate hierarchies (generic)

  • Deduplicate geometry (generic)

  • Prune empty Xforms

  • Optimize primvars (generic)

  • Material binding API fixes (generic)

  • Compute extents (generic)

  • Set kind metadata (custom)

  • Material replacement (custom)

  • Internal/external file separation if applicable (custom)

  • Aggregation (custom)

  • Add layers (for dynamically sublayering properties and connection points)

  • Save final preset

Step 4: Add AI Factory Metadata

Refer to Metadata.

  • Create metadata template and apply to generate {ModelName}_Properties.usda

Step 5: Add Connection Points

Refer to Connection Points.

  • Add connection point prims and save as {ModelName}_ConnectionPoints.usd

Step 6: Optimize

Refer to USD Optimization.

  • Run Scene Optimizer preset with add_layers processor to sublayer properties and connection points into the main asset

Step 7: Validate

Refer to USD Validation.

  • Validated using OAV CLI: uv run validate --category AIF /path/to/asset.usd

  • Visual inspection in Kit/USDView

Deliverables Checklist#

After completing the process, ensure the following artifacts are provided as part of your SimReady asset:

<model_name>/
├── <model_name>.usd                          # Main asset interface file
├── layers/
│   ├── <model_name>_Properties.usda          # AIF metadata
│   └── <model_name>_ConnectionPoints.usd     # Connection point definitions
├── payloads/
│   ├── internal.usd                           # Internal geometry payload
│   └── external.usd                           # External geometry payload
└── data/                                      # Optional: Scene Optimizer presets
    ├── <model_name>.json                      # Optimization preset
    └── payload_processing.json                # Post-processing for generated payloads

  • Asset interface USD - main geometry and materials USD file

    • Ensure all sub-folders are included for internal and external payload USDs

  • AIF Metadata USDA file (sublayered into main USD asset interface file)

  • AIF Connection Points USD file (sublayered into main USD asset interface file)

  • Optional: Scene Optimizer preset - JSON file of the processes you ran (useful for debugging)

See also