Requirements

System dependencies

Currently building on Linux and Windows is documented.

We use CMake as our build system and link against Houdini/Maya/Nuke to avoid having to compile our own version of Usd.

Alternatively our build script also supports compiling against a self-compiled USD build (or pre-compiled build as for example provided by Nvidia).

VFX DCC vendors try to keep in sync with the versions specified in the VFX Reference Platform, so if something doesn't work, first make sure that your software versions are supported.

Warning

Since the Usd Asset Resolver API changed with the AR 2.0 standard proposed in the Asset Resolver 2.0 Specification, you can only compile against Houdini versions 19.5 and higher/Maya versions 2024 and higher.

Warning

Certain applications (like Maya or Nuke) have additional build requirements, see our building section for more information.

Linux

SoftwareWebsiteMin (Not Tested)Max (Tested)
gcchttps://gcc.gnu.org11.2.113.1.1
cmakehttps://cmake.org3.26.43.26.4
SideFX HoudiniSideFX Houdini19.521.0
Autodesk MayaAutodesk Maya20242026
Autodesk Maya USD SDKAutodesk Maya USD SDK0.27.00.33.0
Foundry NukeFoundry Nuke1616

Windows

SoftwareWebsiteMin (Not Tested)Max (Tested)
Visual Studio 16 2019https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/--
Visual Studio 17 2022https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/--
cmakehttps://cmake.org3.26.43.26.4
SideFX HoudiniSideFX Houdini19.521.0
Autodesk MayaAutodesk Maya20242026
Autodesk Maya USD SDKAutodesk Maya USD SDK0.27.00.33.0
Foundry NukeFoundry Nuke1616

When compiling against Houdini/Maya/Nuke on Windows, make sure you use the Visual Studio version that Houdini/Maya/Nuke was compiled with as noted in the HDK/SDK/Nuke documentation. You'll also need to install the Visual Studio build tools that match the Visual Studio release if you want to run everything from the terminal.