Which MIME types are related to file extension ".usda"?
The .usda file extension is associated with 2 MIME types:
model/vnd.usda, application/octet-stream.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .usda Files
USDA files are text-based representations of 3D scene data using the Universal Scene Description (USD) framework.
They use the MIME type model/vnd.usda to indicate a native USD file format. The alternate MIME type, application/octet-stream, is a generic label often used if specifics are not recognized.
- Main use case: Storing scene graphs, geometry, lighting, materials, and animation data in an easily readable ASCII format.
- Key facts:
- They are part of a workflow commonly used in visual effects and animation.
- They allow artists and developers to edit scene content directly with a text editor if needed.
- Software support:
- USD tools like usdview for viewing and debugging scenes.
- Applications such as Autodesk Maya and Houdini when integrated with USD plugins.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
model/vnd.usda, application/octet-stream
FAQ
What is a MIME type?
A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.
MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.
MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.
How do I find the MIME type for a file?
You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.
Why can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.