What is a USDZ file?
In short: A USDZ file is a 3D model packed into one uncompressed zip file, based on Pixar's Universal Scene Description (USD) format. Apple uses it for AR Quick Look, so a USDZ opens in augmented reality on iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro without installing an app.
What is inside a USDZ
USDZ is a container. Inside is a USD scene (usually the binary .usdc form, sometimes the text .usda form) plus the textures it uses, typically PNG or JPEG images. The archive is not compressed and its files are aligned in memory, so a phone can read it directly without unpacking it first.
USD itself comes from Pixar, where it was built to move scenes between film tools. Apple and Pixar introduced the zipped USDZ package for AR in 2018 with iOS 12. Since 2023 USD is developed further by the Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD), whose founders include Pixar, Apple, Adobe, Autodesk and NVIDIA.
Which devices open USDZ
| Device | Opens USDZ? | How |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone and iPad (iOS 12 or later) | Yes | Tap the file in Safari, Mail, Messages or Files. AR Quick Look opens it. |
| Apple Vision Pro | Yes | Quick Look shows it in your space. |
| Mac | Yes, as 3D (no AR) | Quick Look (space bar in Finder) or Preview. |
| Android | No built-in viewer | Use the GLB version of the same model in Scene Viewer. |
| Windows | No built-in viewer | Use Blender or another USD capable app, or the GLB version. |
How to make a USDZ file
- From a photo, painting or poster: upload it to the JPG to USDZ converter and enter the real size. You get a flat USDZ at that size in a few seconds, plus a GLB.
- From a real object: record a slow video around it and use video to 3D. Photogrammetry rebuilds the object as a textured 3D model.
- From an existing 3D model (OBJ, glTF, FBX): use a 3D tool such as Apple Reality Converter on a Mac or Blender, or our USDZ converter if you start from an image.
USDZ size and quality tips
- Keep textures at 2048 px or less on the long side for fast loading on phones.
- Real-world scale matters: AR Quick Look shows the model at the size stored in the file. A model built at the wrong scale looks wrong in the room.
- Flat art should be placed on walls; objects on the floor. Our converter sets this for you.
Try it now
Turn a photo into a real-size USDZ and GLB in a few seconds, or a video into a 3D model. Your first photo conversion is free.
JPG to USDZ ConverterFAQ
What does USDZ stand for?
USD stands for Universal Scene Description. The Z means it is packed in a zip archive.
Can I open a USDZ file on Android?
Not directly. Android has no built-in USDZ viewer. Use a GLB file of the same model; our converter always gives you both.
Is USDZ the same as GLB?
No. Both are single-file 3D formats, but USDZ is Apple's AR format and GLB is the binary form of glTF used by Android, the web and most 3D engines.
Can I make a USDZ without a Mac?
Yes. jpgtousdz runs in the browser on any computer or phone and creates USDZ from photos and videos.