Building engaging metaverse environments is not without its challenges. New digital platforms come with their own unique requirements, particularly with regard to how content is processed and shared. As consumers and businesses move into the metaverse landscape, developers and designers must find ways to deliver high-quality immersive content in lightweight, agile forms.
Just as JPEG influenced the development of the visual Internet we know today, gITF (Graphics Language Transfer Format) can have a similar impact on the metaverse. Backed by the Khronos Foundation, a key member of the Metaverse Standards Forum, GITF promises a more scalable, efficient and cost-effective way to bring visualizations to the metaverse.
When used properly, gITF can easily become the standard file format for those invested in metaverse environments and digital twins.
What is GITF? introduction
The Graphics Language Transfer Format, or gITF, is the standard file format used for 3D models and scenes in metaverse environments. It is a royalty-free specification designed to improve the delivery of 3D models and content. The file format supports static models, animated scenes, and animated content alike, giving developers plenty of scales to work with.
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of gITF is that it allows developers to port complex, high-quality images, models, and videos into XR environments while adding minimal weight to the system. The technology compresses and textures 3D objects to maintain content quality while reducing strain on devices and systems.
according to Neil Trevett in ChronosThe gITF file format is also highly complementary to USD (Global Scene Description), which is a popular tool used for 3D asset development. Companies like NVIDIA have invested heavily in the USD landscape for their end-to-end environment, which was built specifically with an eye on metaverse creation.
What makes GITF useful for the Metaverse?
For many developers in the metaverse scene, gITF is expected to become the most popular file format for content development. Not only does it work well with the existing tools and technologies used by most content creators, but it is an easy-to-use and effective format as well.
Designed specifically for 3D content, gITF is lightweight and easy to manipulate on any device or platform, including mobile phones and web browsers. gITF materials can allow creators to take a JPEG-sized file and instantly decompress it into a native GPU solution, reducing memory required and data transfer times by 5 to 10 times. This can be crucial to getting content to consumers as quickly as possible in the metaverse.
It even complements the majority of file formats already used in authoring tools. NVIDIA is currently working on a gITF connector for the omniverse to ensure that assets can be easily imported and exported from the metaverse. Going forward, innovative developers will also look for ways to introduce additional properties into the file format, such as sound and interactions.
The open source nature of USD and the continued evolution of the gITF will ensure that the format continues to evolve and grow to match the changing needs of the metaverse.