# Path length limitation when creating a USD layer

**URL:** <https://forum.aousd.org/t/path-length-limitation-when-creating-a-usd-layer/2853>\
**Category:** USD\
**Tags:** cpp\
**Created:** [February 10, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.aousd.org/t/path-length-limitation-when-creating-a-usd-layer/2853 "2026-02-10T02:00:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GreatWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@GreatWhite](https://forum.aousd.org/u/GreatWhite)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.aousd.org/t/path-length-limitation-when-creating-a-usd-layer/2853/1 "2026-02-10T02:00:11Z")

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Hi experts,

When I use `pxr::SdfLayer::CreateNew()` to create a new USD layer, the API fails to create the file if the path length is greater than 260. Is there any recommended practice to address this issue?

Thanks

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**Author:** ![nvmkuruc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/76d3ee/32.png) [@nvmkuruc](https://forum.aousd.org/u/nvmkuruc)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.aousd.org/t/path-length-limitation-when-creating-a-usd-layer/2853/2 "2026-02-10T13:58:09Z")

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I wonder if you’re hitting the Windows file path limitation.

[Maximum Path Length Limitation - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/maximum-file-path-limitation?tabs=registry)

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**Author:** ![GreatWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@GreatWhite](https://forum.aousd.org/u/GreatWhite)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://forum.aousd.org/t/path-length-limitation-when-creating-a-usd-layer/2853/3 "2026-02-11T02:34:36Z")

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Yes, you are right. I have tried to use the “\\？\” prefix, but the USD API can’t resolve this kind of path.

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**Author:** ![GreatWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@GreatWhite](https://forum.aousd.org/u/GreatWhite)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 7:19am UTC](https://forum.aousd.org/t/path-length-limitation-when-creating-a-usd-layer/2853/4 "2026-02-11T07:19:27Z")

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The code here converts ‘‘\\?\” to “//?/”, which makes it not work.

[PixarAnimationStudios/OpenUSD: Universal Scene Description](https://github.com/PixarAnimationStudios/OpenUSD/blob/dev/pxr/base/arch/fileSystem.cpp#L369)