Artifex URDF
A VS Code extension for editing URDF (Unified Robot Description Format) files with syntax highlighting, validation, 3D preview, and integration with Artifex for advanced robotics development.
Features
Syntax Highlighting
Full syntax highlighting for URDF and Xacro files with support for:
- Robot structure elements (
<robot>, <link>, <joint>)
- Visual and collision geometry
- Inertial properties
- Joint types (
revolute, prismatic, continuous, fixed)
- Xacro macros and properties (
${...} interpolation)
Real-time Validation
Instant feedback on URDF issues including:
- Missing or duplicate link/joint names
- Orphan links not connected to the kinematic tree
- Missing inertial properties
- Invalid joint types and configurations
- Zero or negative mass values
- Cyclic joint dependencies
3D Preview
Static 3D visualization of your robot with:
- Primitive geometry rendering (boxes, cylinders, spheres)
- Material colors
- Orbit, pan, and zoom controls
- Link and joint statistics
AI-Powered Suggestions
Heuristic-based hints to improve your robot description:
- Zero axis vector warnings
- Suggestions for unrealistic mass values
- Missing joint limit recommendations
- Axis normalization tips
Artifex Integration
One-click access to the full Artifex desktop app for:
- Physics simulation
- Visual verification
- ROS2 code generation
- Advanced robot design tools
Usage
Commands
| Command |
Description |
Artifex: Show Preview |
Open 3D preview of current URDF file |
Artifex: Open in Artifex |
Open file in Artifex desktop app |
Keyboard Shortcuts
- Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on macOS): Open 3D preview
Status Bar
When editing URDF/Xacro files, a rocket icon appears in the status bar for quick access to Artifex.
Supported File Types
.urdf - URDF robot description files.xacro - Xacro macro files.urdf.xacro - Xacro-preprocessed URDF files
Settings
| Setting |
Default |
Description |
artifex.enableTelemetry |
true |
Enable anonymous usage telemetry |
artifex.showPreviewOnOpen |
false |
Automatically show preview when opening URDF files |
Requirements
Known Limitations
- Mesh files (STL, DAE, OBJ) are shown as placeholder geometries
- Xacro preprocessing is not performed (properties/macros shown as-is)
- Preview is static (no joint articulation)
For physics simulation, mesh loading, and joint control, use the full Artifex desktop app.
Feedback
License
MIT License - see LICENSE for details.
Made with love by Kindly Robotics
