We are excited to share a new collaboration between Autodesk and SideFX to create OpenPBR Volume, a new OpenPBR shading model.
Volumetric effects, such as clouds, smoke, fire and explosions are omnipresent elements in current productions. OpenPBR Volume will allow users to define the look of volumetric assets, with controls grounded in their physical properties, while allowing the artistic control required in production. Similarly to the previously released OpenPBR Surface, this open standard will include both a specification and MaterialX reference implementation, making it easy to transfer assets between studios, authoring software and renderers, all while presenting a familiar interface to artists.
OpenPBR is a subproject of MaterialX, an open standard for representing rich material and look development content, enabling platform-independent description and exchange across applications and renderers. OpenPBR builds upon MaterialX by providing a description of how an artist will interface with the physical properties of the surface they’re creating, giving artists a more specific interface to work within, and the ability to transfer data back and forth between assets with very little conversion needed.
The collaboration between Autodesk and SideFX takes its roots in the Houdini Pyro Shader and the Arnold Standard Volume and aims at creating a common model and draft specification for OpenPBR Volume, which will be publicly released once ready for review. Anyone interested in participating in its creation or contributing to OpenPBR should reach out via the #OpenPBR channel on the ASWF Slack.
Want to learn more about OpenPBR and OpenPBR Volume? Check out these in-person and virtual sessions next week at Open Source Days and SIGGRAPH:
- August 5 at 10:00 am PT: If you missed the ASWF MaterialX Virtual Town Hall, the recording will be available on the ASWF YouTube channel in the following weeks.
- August 9 at 9:00 am PT DigiPro2025 – OpenPBR Surface: An Open Shading Model for Physically Based Materials, in-person at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
- August 10 at 9:20 am PT: SIGGRAPH 2025 Course – Physically Based Shading in Theory and Practice – OpenPBR: A Closer Look at Novel Features and Implementation Details, in-person at the Vancouver Convention Centre in the West Building Rooms 118-120
- August 11 at 1:00 pm PT: Open Source Days/SIGGRAPH – OpenPBR Community Birds of a Feather in-person only at the Marriott Pinnacle Ballroom 1
- August 11 at 6:30 pm PT: Adobe Substance Days – OpenPBR Panel Discussion in-person at the Paradox Hotel Grand Ballroom
