---
id: newton-usd-schemas
version: "0.5.0"
license: Apache-2.0
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# newton-usd-schemas — OpenUSD schema definitions for the Newton physics engine

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 201.5K/mo

## What it is and what it does

newton-usd-schemas is a codeless schema package that extends OpenUSD's UsdPhysics specification to support Newton physics engine parameters. It contains no compiled code or public API—instead, it registers schema definitions with OpenUSD at runtime, allowing content creators to author Newton-compatible physics scenes in any USD-capable application without needing the Newton runtime installed.

The package is deployed as a pure Python wheel with zero runtime dependencies, making it lightweight to install. Once imported early in your application, it enables you to apply Newton-specific attributes to USD prims, then export those layers for later loading into a Newton runtime. It follows a minimalist design philosophy, including only attributes with clear physical meaning or cross-solver support, positioning Newton schemas as a staging ground for parameters that may eventually be promoted into the UsdPhysics standard.

Use it for:

- Author physics-enabled robots and props in USD-based content creation tools without installing Newton itself.
- Configure simulation parameters in USD layers for later Newton runtime execution.
- Extend UsdPhysics with Newton-specific attributes for multi-solver physics workflows.
- Integrate Newton physics schemas into existing USD pipelines and asset libraries.
- Stage and test physics parameter definitions before proposing them for inclusion in the UsdPhysics standard.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Registers OpenUSD schema extensions for the Newton physics engine, allowing USD layers to configure Newton-compatible robots, props, and environments without requiring the Newton runtime itself.

Yes, if you are authoring USD content for Newton physics simulations. The package is lightweight, actively maintained, has no dependencies, and uses a permissive license. However, note that it is in v0.x experimental status—breaking schema changes are possible in future releases, though the maintainers commit to providing migration paths. Requires Python 3.10 or later and a separate USD runtime.

## Install

pip install newton-usd-schemas
uv add newton-usd-schemas
poetry add newton-usd-schemas

## Installing newton-usd-schemas

Before you install: Active project with a recent release and no runtime dependencies, making installation straightforward. Requires Python 3.10 or later and a separate USD runtime to function.

License in practice: Licensed under Apache-2.0 (permissive), allowing use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions—suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.

Quickstart:

pip install newton-usd-schemas

import newton_usd_schemas  # register schemas early

# Then use with your USD runtime to configure physics scenes
# and apply Newton-specific attributes to USD prims

Requires Python 3.10 or later; schemas must be imported before the schema registry is initialized. A separate USD runtime must be installed separately.

Verify before relying:

- Stability guarantees beyond 'experimental v0.x' phase—whether breaking changes are expected in near-term releases.
- Whether auto-upgrade scripts or migration tools are currently available for schema changes.
- Specific USD runtime versions or distributions known to work with this schema package.

## Package facts

- License: Apache-2.0 (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 201.5K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

usd schema extensions, newton physics usd, openUSD physics schemas, usd layer configuration, physics simulation schemas, usd-schema, physics-simulation

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