Kit 107.0 Major Update: Enhanced USD, Python, and Developer Tools for Better Compatibility and Performance

Kit SDK 107.0 Release Highlights Release Date: March 2025 Kit SDK 107.0 marks a significant update, introducing major platform changes that will necessitate updates for existing extensions and applications to ensure compatibility. Developers can find detailed migration instructions in the Migration Guide. ### Updates to USD and Python Kit 107.0 integrates two major updates: 1. **Pixar USD 24.05**: This version brings several improvements, detailed in the OpenUSD Project Configuration section of the Migration Guide. 2. **Python 3.11**: Enhancements and compatibility changes are outlined in the C++/Python Project Configuration section. ### USD Build Changes Kit 107.0 now uses a nearly-stock build of Pixar OpenUSD, streamlining future USD version updates and enhancing reliability. If you use custom USD builds, they must maintain ABI (Application Binary Interface) compatibility with Kit’s build. The differences between builds are currently limited to imaging libraries, ensuring your content remains fully compatible. Remaining discrepancies will be addressed in future releases. ### Major API Restructuring This release introduces a significant API restructuring, including the switch to `_GLIBCXX_USE_CXX11_ABI=1`, bringing several benefits for Kit SDK users. For detailed migration steps, see Updating Dependencies and Enabling C++17 Features. Key improvements include: - **Enhanced ABI Compatibility**: Ensures smoother integration with other C++11/C++17 libraries. - **Improved Performance**: Optimizations in the new ABI enhance runtime efficiency. - **Simplified Codebase**: The API changes result in a cleaner and more maintainable codebase. ### Events 2.0 Kit 107.0 revamps the events system with Events 2.0, providing a more robust foundation for extension development. The changes include clearer interfaces and stronger event handling guarantees, which improve cross-extension compatibility and overall application reliability. For migration instructions and best practices, refer to Introducing Carbonite Events 2.0. Key improvements are: - **Clearer Interfaces**: Simplified and more intuitive APIs. - **Stronger Guarantees**: Enhanced reliability and predictability in event handling. - **Cross-Extension Compatibility**: Better integration and coordination between different extensions. ### Fabric Memory Management An important improvement to the Fabric memory management system is introduced in Kit 107.0. For detailed migration steps, see Changes to Fabric Asserts. The key enhancement is: - **Enhanced Assert Mechanisms**: More robust and reliable memory management, reducing crashes and improving performance. ### Enhanced Logging and Traceability Kit 107.0 significantly enhances logging capabilities, making it much easier for developers to monitor, debug, and troubleshoot their applications. Detailed migration instructions and best practices are available in Changes to Carbonite Logging. Key enhancements include: - **Improved Loggranularity**: Enhanced control over log levels and types. - **Real-Time Monitoring**: Real-time logging features to quickly identify issues. - **Traceability**: Enhanced traceability for better debugging and performance analysis. ### RTX Renderer Improvements The RTX renderer receives significant updates in Kit 107.0, detailed in the RTX Renderer 107.0 Release Notes. Key improvements are: - **Performance Optimizations**: Enhanced rendering speed and efficiency. - **New Features**: Added support for advanced lighting and shading techniques. - **Stability Enhancements**: Reduced rendering artifacts and improved overall stability. ### Scene Optimizer Enhancements Kit 107.0 brings notable improvements to the Scene Optimizer extension, as detailed in the Scene Optimizer 107.0 Release Notes. Key enhancements include: - **Faster Optimization**: Accelerated scene optimization processes. - **Advanced Algorithms**: Implementation of new algorithms for better performance and quality. - **Enhanced Usability**: User-friendly interface updates and additional configuration options. ### Kit App Template Several improvements to the Kit App Template simplify the creation of customized applications. These enhancements include: - **Streamlined Setup**: Reduced initial setup steps and more intuitive configuration. - **Enhanced Customization**: More options for tailoring the application to specific needs. - **Improved Documentation**: Comprehensive guides and examples for faster development. Kit SDK 107.0 represents a major leap forward in technology and usability, offering developers a powerful and reliable platform for creating advanced applications and extensions. For full details and migration instructions, refer to the comprehensive guides provided with the release.