What is MIME type "model/vnd.usda"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

model/vnd.usda is a MIME type for ASCII-encoded files in the Universal Scene Description (USD) ecosystem. It signals that the file stores 3D scene data in a text format. This format is human-readable and ideal for debugging or collaboration.

Files using this MIME type, such as USDA, allow developers and artists to inspect and edit scene data directly. Other variants in the USD family include USD and USDC, which usually use binary encoding for efficiency.

Main Use Case: Exchanging and editing 3D scene descriptions in a text-based format.
Scene Graph Representation: It defines structures, hierarchies, and relationships between scene elements.
Debugging and Version Control: The plain text layout makes it easy to track changes and identify issues.
Interoperability: Supports pipelines in film, animation, gaming, and virtual reality by facilitating data exchange between different software tools.

This MIME type ensures applications handle the file content correctly. It is a key part of workflows where flexibility and human readability are needed. For additional details on USD formats and workflows, visit the Universal Scene Description Documentation.

Associated file extensions

.usd, .usdc, .usda

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: model/vnd.usda

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="model/vnd.usda">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'model/vnd.usda');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.usd, .usdc, .usda

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 are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.