Omniverse Composer, Houdini Connector on normal user profile issue

Omniverse Core Platform Kit App Template / SDK
,
1

I am trying to make Omniverse Composer work on non admin profile so normal users can use it connecting it with Houdini and learn Omniverse OpenUSD pipeline with Houdini using Omniverse Houdini Connector.

I have made some progress but it there is one major hiccup where with access on the normal user to launch using repo.bat

I usually get below error:

C:\Omniverseshared\kit-app-template>.\repo.bat launch
Access is denied.
Fetching packman-common@7.29.zip ...
Downloading from bootstrap.packman.nvidia.com ...
Unpacking ...
Directory C:\packman-repo\packman-common\7.29 already present, package installation already completed
Package successfully installed to C:\packman-repo\packman-common\7.29
C:\packman-repo\python\3.10.17-nv1-windows-x86_64\python.exe: can't open file 'C:\\packman-repo\\packman-common\\7.29\\run.py': [Errno 13] Permission denied
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Omniverseshared\kit-app-template\tools\repoman\repoman.py", line 13, in <module>
    import packmanapi
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'packmanapi'

May be I am missing a system level variables but there are no resources on the website to make it work

Since launcher is going to be deprecated after October 1st I was following using git clone and set env var but the kernal cache and .packman_cache goes to C:\users\Administrator\

For the note I have changed persmissions for Kit-app-template and packman-repo in C driver giving users full rights.

The only way to make it work for now is launching through powershell as admin using runas

runas /user:administrator C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe

This only happens when I am admin:

Fetching packman-common@7.29.zip ...

Downloading from bootstrap.packman.nvidia.com ...

Unpacking ...

Package successfully installed to C:\Users\Administrator\.packman_cache\packman-common\7.29

Pip installing dependencies from C:\Users\Administrator\.packman_cache\chk\repo_man\1.84.7\tools\uv\uv-requirements.txt to C:\Users\Administrator\.packman_cache\chk\uv_deps\50fa2d6354593bc84586cb1856af2077\windows-x86_64\3.10.17...

May be I am missing something but there was no way to confirm so I had to Nvidia Community.

Let me know if I missed anything above.

Looking forward to the possible solutions and discussion.

Thank you so much in advance.

~harsh

1 Like
2

Ok I understand. The step you are missing is this. If you are the system admin and you want to share USD Composer with a team, especially since you have a admin / permissions problem, you actually want to follow our “Developer Workflow” and build and “package” the app for your team.

In other words, only you download and build the app, but then you package the app as a locked application for the rest of the team to use. This does not require any more use of Packman and downloads etc. It is locked to your specs. It will be WAY easier to share and distribute. It makes just a zip file.

To do this, simple prepare USD Composer the way you want it. Once you are happy and want to “lock it”, simply use the “repo.bat package” command. This will take some time, maybe 20 mins, but it will make one final zip file that you can simply “give out” to anyone. Just copy it, unzip it and use it. Not need for commands, packman, or resources.

1 Like
3

Thank you so much @Richard3D, I appreciate it.

I couldn’t wrap my head around this.

But once again, thank you so much.

Monday, I will give it a try and update the topic to confirm.

4

@Richard3D I confirm that it started working once i packaged it but not it lead me to another problem with nucleus workstation for users in educational environment for now I have to Omniverse just make the localhost. They can use the launcher until October 1st, 2025. But while I was testing and trying to get NGC catalog it does not give me any non-commercial option it only shows options with Enterprise Nucleus Server - Compose Stack with enterprise license only.

Can I have some assistance to make it work with USD composer and Omniverse Houdini connector on latest Houdini production build (20.5.613 py3.11)?

The only option that I see right now is to navigate through the directory for .usda files/Openusd projects.

Thank you so much.

5

Actually, as far as I was told, we are making an exception for Nucleus Enterprise to be totally free just with an NGC free account. You are not breaking any EULAs. So go ahead. At least set it all up and we can go from there.

6

I came across below mentioned hurdles while I was doing that. @Richard3D

Try Omniverse Enterprise Software Today
The 90-day trial of NVIDIA Omniverse™ Enterprise software trial instantly gives you the ability to download and deploy Omniverse Enterprise on your own infrastructure. Register today and start developing to integrate OpenUSD, NVIDIA RTX™ rendering technologies, and generative physical AI into software tools and simulation workflows.

The software trial requires you to have an NVIDIA RTX-powered workstation or server.

Recommended requirements are an RTX-enabled GPU with 16GB VRAM.

Start your 90-day Omniverse Enterprise trial
IMPORTANT TIPS
Please register with your corporate email address.
Personal email addresses or extensions will not be approved.
Please ensure that the person who is registering for the evaluation licenses is the person who will be managing those licenses.
Please ensure the following requirements are met:
Minimum GPU requirements are RTX-enabled GPUs with 6GB VRAM
Recommended GPU requirements are RTX-enabled GPUs with 8GB VRAM
For information about supported hardware and software, refer to the system requirements per app or platform here
If already registered, click here
If you need assistance with registration or are seeking an exception, please review FAQ .

7

Let me clarify with someone here, but please go ahead and do the 90 day trial anyway and try it out. Although it is a 90 day trial, it will not affect your use of Nucleus. You are free to use it.

8

Thank you so much I will go ahead and set it up.
Looking forward for the further updates @Richard3D

9

I checked with the head of Nucleus, and they are telling that you can use Nucleus Enterprise for free, just by registering. Do not worry about the 90 day trial.

10

Gotcha!
I will set everything up then.
It still needs all the information since I am on a .edu email I guess.

Since you gave me a green light I try to set it up.

Since the name are now confusing I am gonna post the links and screenshot below before I move forward to get the confirmation that I am getting the right Omniverse Nucleus

image
image955×447 105 KB

11

I think it is the first one. Pick the one with the latest date

12

I have another follow up question about the Omniverse Houdini connector based on our environment we had to run Houdini 20.5.613 with python 3.10 for which all the python dependencies errored out which were not doing the same for Houdini 20.5.613 python 3.11 .

I did follow up to this Requirements — Omniverse Connect

So even if I follow the GitHub - NVIDIA-Omniverse/houdini-connector: Plugin for SideFX Houdini adding Omniverse support.
Which also uses python 3.11.

houdini_usd
├── include
│   ├── Alembic
│   ├── boost
│   ├── draco
│   ├── hboost
│   ├── libpng16
│   ├── MaterialXCore
│   ├── MaterialXFormat
│   ├── MaterialXGenGlsl
│   ├── MaterialXGenMdl
│   ├── MaterialXGenMsl
│   ├── MaterialXGenOsl
│   ├── MaterialXGenShader
│   ├── MaterialXRender
│   ├── MaterialXRenderGlsl
│   ├── MaterialXRenderHw
│   ├── MaterialXRenderOsl
│   ├── OpenEXR
│   ├── OpenImageIO
│   ├── opensubdiv
│   ├── pxr
**│   ├── python3.11**
│   ├── serial
│   └── tbb
└── lib
    ├── python
    └── usd_plugins

houdini_hdk
├── dsolib
│   ├── empty_jemalloc
│   ├── Qt_plugins
│   └── usd_plugins
**├── python311**       
│   ├── bin
│   ├── include
│   ├── lib
│   └── share
└── toolkit
    ├── cmake   
    ├── codegenTemplates
    ├── include
    ├── makefiles
    ├── samples
    └── slides

So I believe it will only work with Houdini 20.5.XXX py311 and not 20.5.XXX py310?

13

Ok. So can you update it ? I am not sure I follow.

The other thing I want to point out, is that you should really not need this or any other connector. We are moving away from them. Houdini like everyone is going native usd in and out. Just export your scene as usd.

14

We can update it, but the current request from the educator was Houdini 20.5.613 py3.10, so I was trying to make Omniverse Houdini Connector work with that specific version. But since you mentioned that Nvidia is moving away from all the connectors, which eliminates a lot of issues on my end.

I did notice that when I was playing with USD Composer, even if the localhost (omniverse://) was not running, I could navigate through USD Composer to the projects (my-computer://) in the Content panel, which also eliminates the installation of Omniverse Nucleus server.

Thank you so much once again @Richard3D

15

Exactly. You don’t need connectors. You don’t need nucleus. You just need kit and USD Composer. I store my project files in regular windows Dropbox. No big deal. If I need to bring something in from another source I just export it as usd or bring it in as fbx.

So yes, keep it simple. Forget connectors and nucleus. Just treat USD Composer like any other app.

16

And on that note, the trial / playing around to make it work has moved to the finalized stage.

Thank you for everything. I appreciate all the help!

1 Like
17

Great !!

1 Like
18

Hey @Richard3D so it worked in windows. But in Linux it gave me a bunch of errors when it building

./repo.sh build

It Fetches all dependencies
it make the parent directory
it pulls the command from seteps running "/home/USER/Downloads/Kit-App-template/repo.sh precache_exts -c release’
sets up env var: OMNI_TRUSTED_CERTIFICATE=ALL

/lib64/libstdc+.sp.6: version "GLIBCXX_3.4.30 not found in /root/.cache/packman/chk/kit-kernel/107.3.0+feature.199947.b0a86421.gl.manylinux_2_35x86_64.release/libcarb.so

This is the whole error out put after ./repo.sh build >> err.log

>>> Fetching all dependencies.
>>> Before Pull Commands Step. Running 'mkdir --parents /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/source/apps'...
>>> After Pull Commands Step. Running '/home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/repo.sh precache_exts -c release'...
Setting env var: OMNI_TRUSTED_CERTIFICATE=ALL
running kit for app precache, cmd: /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/_build/linux-x86_64/release/kit/kit /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/source/apps/my.vfx_usd_composer.kit --allow-root --portable --ext-precache-mode --/crashreporter/gatherUserStory=0 --/app/settings/persistent=0 --/app/settings/loadUserConfig=0 --/app/extensions/generateVersionLock=1 --/app/extensions/parallelPullEnabled=1 --/app/enableStdoutOutput=1 --/app/extensions/detailedSolverExplanation=1 --/app/extensions/registryEnabled=1 --/app/extensions/mkdirExtFolders=0 --/app/extensions/registryCacheFull='/home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/_build/linux-x86_64/release/extscache' --/log/flushStandardStreamOutput=1 --/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/registries/0/name="kit/default" --/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/registries/0/url="https://ovextensionsprod.blob.core.windows.net/exts/kit/prod/${kit_version_major}/shared" --/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/registries/1/name="kit/sdk" --/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/registries/1/url="https://ovextensionsprod.blob.core.windows.net/exts/kit/prod/sdk/${kit_version_short}/${kit_git_hash}" --/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/registries/2/name="kit/community" --/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/registries/2/url="https://dw290v42wisod.cloudfront.net/exts/kit/community" --/app/extensions/target/config=release --ext-folder /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/source/extensions --ext-folder /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/source/apps --portable-root /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/_build/linux-x86_64/release --/app/extensions/generateVersionLockSkipLocalExts=1
/home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/_build/linux-x86_64/release/kit/kit: /lib64/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.30' not found (required by /root/.cache/packman/chk/kit-kernel/107.3.0+feature.199947.b0a86421.gl.manylinux_2_35_x86_64.release/libcarb.so)
[07/23/25 11:49:34] ERROR    error running:                         utils.py:264
                             /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/             
                             _build/linux-x86_64/release/kit/kit                
                             /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/             
                             source/apps/my.vfx_usd_composer.kit              
                             --allow-root --portable                            
                             --ext-precache-mode                                
                             --/crashreporter/gatherUserStory=0                 
                             --/app/settings/persistent=0                       
                             --/app/settings/loadUserConfig=0                   
                             --/app/extensions/generateVersionLock=             
                             1                                                  
                             --/app/extensions/parallelPullEnabled=             
                             1 --/app/enableStdoutOutput=1                      
                             --/app/extensions/detailedSolverExplan             
                             ation=1                                            
                             --/app/extensions/registryEnabled=1                
                             --/app/extensions/mkdirExtFolders=0                
                             '--/app/extensions/registryCacheFull='             
                             "'"'/home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-templ             
                             ate/_build/linux-x86_64/release/extsca             
                             che'"'"''                                          
                             --/log/flushStandardStreamOutput=1                 
                             '--/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/reg             
                             istries/0/name="kit/default"'                      
                             '--/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/reg             
                             istries/0/url="https://ovextensionspro             
                             d.blob.core.windows.net/exts/kit/prod/             
                             ${kit_version_major}/shared"'                      
                             '--/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/reg             
                             istries/1/name="kit/sdk"'                          
                             '--/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/reg             
                             istries/1/url="https://ovextensionspro             
                             d.blob.core.windows.net/exts/kit/prod/             
                             sdk/${kit_version_short}/${kit_git_has             
                             h}"'                                               
                             '--/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/reg             
                             istries/2/name="kit/community"'                    
                             '--/exts/omni.kit.registry.nucleus/reg             
                             istries/2/url="https://dw290v42wisod.c             
                             loudfront.net/exts/kit/community"'                 
                             --/app/extensions/target/config=releas             
                             e --ext-folder                                     
                             /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/             
                             source/extensions --ext-folder                     
                             /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/             
                             source/apps --portable-root                        
                             /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/             
                             _build/linux-x86_64/release                        
                             --/app/extensions/generateVersionLockS             
                             kipLocalExts=1, code: 1, message: ""               
                    ERROR    SystemExit exception stack trace dumped  log.py:182
                             to logfile                                         
                             /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/_r           
                             epo/repo.log. Stacks dumped to console             
                             via `--verbose` or `--tracebacks`.                 
                             SystemExit: 1                                      
[07/23/25 11:49:34] ERROR    error running: /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/repo.sh precache_exts -c release, code: 1, message: ""                                                                       utils.py:264
                    WARNING  Retrieving repo_build version via VERSION file.                                                                                                                                 version.py:312
                    ERROR    SystemExit exception stack trace dumped to logfile /home/omni/Downloads/kit-app-template/_repo/repo.log. Stacks dumped to console via `--verbose` or `--tracebacks`.                log.py:182
                             SystemExit: 1

which is not out yet for Linux distro rocky 9.6 so do we have any solution for this apart from waiting for it be release for rocky 9.6?

And one more question the which is for OpenUSD (OpenUSD\build_scripts\build_scripts.py) which can wait after the current issue resolved.

Thank you so much

19

Ok, let me look into this. So it is working fine in windows, but you still need to use Linux? You cannot use Windows?

20

The initial use is for Linux with Houdini in the academic environment but I made a package for Windows as well since all the applications are not available for Linux in case they do a collab project.
But it will be used in both Windows and Linux.