The Complete VDA-FS to USD Conversion Guide

July 25, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert VDA-FS to USD, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing VDA-FS Files to USD

There are various ways to convert between VDA-FS and USD. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize VDA-FS files, at scale. It supports USD, as well as many other file formats (examples: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are VDA-FS and USD files commonly used for?

The VDA-FS file is a format mostly used for automotive surface data exchange.
The USD file is a format mostly used for 3D modeling and rendering applications, and exchange of 3D authoring data.

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Comparison of Features Supported by VDA-FS and USD

FeatureSupported by VDA-FSSupported by USD
Morph TargetsNoYes
Rigid AnimationsNoYes
Skinned AnimationsNoYes
AnimationsNoYes
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoYes
Transparent MaterialsNoYes
Vertex ColorsNoYes
MaterialsNoYes
Scene CompositionPartial0Yes
Hierarchical Scene GraphPartial1Yes
Scene NodesPartial2Yes
Standardized FormatPartial3Yes
Embedded TexturesNoNo
Multiple UV ChannelsNoYes
Normal MappingNoYes
Procedural TexturesNoYes
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsNoYes
TexturingNoYes

0 - Simple surface assembly organization
1 - Limited hierarchical surface relationships
2 - Basic surface organization and grouping
3 - Industry-specific format with limited adoption outside automotive

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Limitations of VDA-FS Files to USD Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting VDA-FS files to USD format:

VDA-FS Feature (not supported by USD)Limitation Details

What's the best way to get VDA-FS files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using USD?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to VDA-FS and USD files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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Meet the Author

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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