NVIDIA NCP-OUSD: NVIDIA-Certified Professional: OpenUSD Development

Last checked October 22, 2026 against the official NVIDIA exam page.

1. Question 1Python API

   In the OpenUSD Python API, which entry point is used to open an existing USD file as a stage?

   1. ASdf.Layer.Delete
   2. BGf.Vec3f.Open
   3. CUsd.Stage.Open
   4. DTf.Shutdown
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   Correct answer: C

   Usd.Stage.Open opens a USD file as a stage. Gf.Vec3f is a vector type, Sdf.Layer.Delete is not an open operation, and Tf.Shutdown does not open files.

2. Question 2Composition

   A stage references an asset file so that the asset's contents appear at a prim path in the scene. Which composition arc does this use?

   1. ASpecializes
   2. BInherits
   3. CReferences
   4. DRelocates only
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   Correct answer: C

   A reference brings another layer's prims into the stage at a given path. Specializes and inherits are different arcs that affect how opinions combine, and relocates changes namespace paths rather than bringing in contents.

3. Question 3USD fundamentals

   In OpenUSD, what is a stage?

   1. AThe composed scene that presents the combined contents of its layers to the application
   2. BA single file that stores the geometry of one asset, with vertex and index data listed line by line
   3. CA GPU-resident memory buffer that the renderer allocates to hold vertex data during draw calls
   4. DA roster of user accounts with the read and write permissions assigned to each
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   Correct answer: A

   A stage is the composed view of a scene built from layers and their composition arcs. It is not a single file, a GPU buffer, or an access list.

4. Question 4Geometry

   Which schema family in OpenUSD defines basic geometric primitives such as meshes, cubes and spheres?

   1. AUsdLux
   2. BUsdShade
   3. CUsdGeom
   4. DUsdSkel only
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   Correct answer: C

   UsdGeom defines geometric schemas such as Mesh, Cube and Sphere. UsdLux defines lights, UsdShade defines materials and shaders, and UsdSkel defines skeletal animation.

5. Question 5Materials and shading

   Which OpenUSD schema family defines materials, shaders and bindings that determine appearance?

   1. AUsdTime
   2. BUsdGeom only
   3. CUsdShade
   4. DUsdZip
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   Correct answer: C

   UsdShade defines materials, shaders and bindings for appearance. UsdGeom defines geometry, UsdTime is not a standard shading schema, and UsdZip is a packaging format.