Transit sees a weaker referenced platform attribute never win even though the reference file contains the expected value. What often explains this?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Local is higher on the LIVERPS ladder than References—so a local “nothing special” opinion can still sit on top of a perfectly good referenced value. It’s like a sticky note covering a printed schedule: the print is there, but you only see the note. Clear or weaken that stronger local block and the reference can show again.
Full Explanation
Under LIVERPS, Local outranks References. Transit often sees a weaker referenced platform attribute fail to win because a stronger local opinion on the same property—including an authored empty or otherwise blocking local opinion—masks the referenced value. The reference file can contain the expected data while the composed stage still shows the local blocker. Clearing, sparsifying, or otherwise removing that stronger local opinion is required before the referenced platform value can surface.
Saying referenced opinions always beat Local reverses LIVERPS and will fail on exam and in production. Payload strength does not permanently disable all platform references; payloads are weaker than references and control deferred inclusion, not a permanent ban on references. Time offsets do not delete referenced attributes during ordinary composition; time samples affect evaluation over time, not the LIVERPS strength relationship that explains a static masking problem.
Exam caveat: within Local, stronger layers can still override weaker locals; diagnose LayerStack order after confirming the arc class. Operational check: on the disputed platform attribute, list contributing opinions with usdview or usdchecker-style inspection, identify any local (including empty) opinion above the reference, remove or move that blocker to a weaker authoring path, and recompose. Expect the referenced value to appear only after the stronger local mask is gone—and document why the local opinion existed so municipal authors do not reintroduce it.