OpenUSD composition, layers, references and variants

Document status: reviewed. Canonical source.

Summary

OpenUSD composes scene description from ordered layers and composition arcs including references, inherits, variants, payloads and specializes. The key lesson is non-destructive composition: authored opinions remain separate while a stage resolves a composed view.

Evidence

OpenUSD terminology and composition documentation define composition arcs as operators combining layer stacks and prim specifications into resolved values.

NUIF relevance

Adapt layer/reference/variant concepts for design-system libraries, themes, brands, responsive projections and local overrides. Avoid inheriting USD’s 3D-specific namespace and asset assumptions.