DART Model Loading (dart::io)

SkillDev tools

DART IO: URDF, SDF, MJCF parsers, and dart::io loading

Available today. Use it from your connected AI after setup.

Connect ahel once, and every AI you use reads what you have installed.

Then ask your AI: use the DART Model Loading (dart::io) skill

What this skill tells your AI

The instructions your AI receives, as published by dartsim/dart in .agents/skills/dart-io/SKILL.md and read by ahel’s review.

Load this skill when working with robot model files or parsers.

When correctness depends on the loaded model's 3D structure or behavior, also load dart-verify-sim for a text oracle plus claim-tied visual corroboration.

Quick Start

#include <dart/io/read.hpp>

// Format auto-detection
auto skel = dart::io::readSkeleton("dart://sample/urdf/KR5/KR5 sixx R650.urdf");

Full Documentation

For complete I/O guide: docs/onboarding/io-parsing.md

For module-specific details: dart/io/AGENTS.md

Supported Formats

docs/onboarding/io-parsing.md owns the format list (URDF, SDF, MJCF, and opt-in OpenUSD behind DART_BUILD_IO_USD=ON).

Common Patterns

// URDF with package resolution
dart::io::ReadOptions options;
options.addPackageDirectory("my_robot", "/path/to/my_robot");
auto skel = dart::io::readSkeleton("package://my_robot/urdf/robot.urdf", options);

// Force specific format
options.format = dart::io::ModelFormat::Sdf;

Key Files

  • API: dart/io/read.hpp
  • Tests: tests/unit/io/test_read.cpp

Signals

GitHub stars
1k
Forks
304
Last commit
Sep 2026
Advanced
Catalog kind
skill
Gateway key
dart-io
Source
github.com/dartsim/dart