diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_black.jpg b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_black.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..53c40b27c3
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_black.jpg differ
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_blue.jpg b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_blue.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ffba818eac
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_blue.jpg differ
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_gray.jpg b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_gray.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..747660e762
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_gray.jpg differ
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_green.jpg b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_green.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3ef40e1598
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_green.jpg differ
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_red.jpg b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_red.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8d5143a570
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_red.jpg differ
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_white.jpg b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_white.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4e3e4da09d
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/BackgroundColorTest/background_white.jpg differ
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/CMakeLists.txt b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/CMakeLists.txt
index cabf4f99b2..ba6e2bf94e 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ set(INTERACTIVE_TEST_SCRIPT_FILES
     testCurveTools.py
     testPolygonPrimitives.py
     testFootPrintNode.py
+    testBackgroundColor.py
+    testGrid.py
     cpp/testColorPreferences.py
     cpp/testCppFramework.py
     cpp/testMayaSceneFlattening.py
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/GridTest/grid_disabled.png b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/GridTest/grid_disabled.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dbedef32fd
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/GridTest/grid_disabled.png differ
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/GridTest/grid_enabled.png b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/GridTest/grid_enabled.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c08e74edb7
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/GridTest/grid_enabled.png differ
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/README.md b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/README.md
index f0a17c47cd..5d7babf853 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/README.md
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/README.md
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ To add a new Python-only test suite :
 
 Some important notes :
 - Before each test, a new file will be opened and the renderer will be switched to Hydra. If you need to switch between renderers, you can use the `self.setHdStormRenderer()` and `self.setViewport2Renderer()` methods.
+- Some test settings (such as turning color management off, disabling the grid, etc.) are applied by default when opening a scene using `mayaUtils.openNewScene` or `mayaUtils.openTestScene`. The new scene opened before each test is opened using `mayaUtils.openNewScene`, meaning those test settings will automatically be applied before each test. These methods provide the option not to apply those settings if desired, by passing in `useTestSettings=False`. If you want to test a setting that is modified as part of those test settings, you can either re-set it explicitly in the test, and/or load a scene with the desired settings by calling `mayaUtils.openTestScene(<path arguments>, useTestSettings=False)`. In case you want to avoid ever changing the test settings entirely, you can also override the `setUp` method.
 
 # Best practices
 - Don't skip tests unless necessary. If a test requires a certain plugin to be loaded, don't skip the test if the plugin fails to load, as this will falsely be reported as a pass. For such cases, prefer setting the `_requiredPlugins` variable in your test class.
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testArnoldLights.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testArnoldLights.py
index a8333ac307..f3a1a96fce 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testArnoldLights.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testArnoldLights.py
@@ -66,8 +66,6 @@ def verifyLightingModes(self, shadowOn):
 
     #Test arnold lights (e.g., aiSkyDomeLight,etc.) with a maya native sphere and usd sphere.
     def test_ArnoldLights(self):
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
-
         # Load a maya scene with a maya native sphere, usd sphere and some lights, with HdStorm already being the viewport renderer.
         # The sphere is not at the origin on purpose
         testFile = mayaUtils.openTestScene(
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testBackgroundColor.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testBackgroundColor.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d002808e60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testBackgroundColor.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# Copyright 2024 Autodesk
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+#
+import maya.cmds as cmds
+
+import fixturesUtils
+import mtohUtils
+
+class TestBackgroundColor(mtohUtils.MayaHydraBaseTestCase):
+    # MayaHydraBaseTestCase.setUpClass requirement.
+    _file = __file__
+
+    IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_THRESHOLD = 0.05
+    IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_PERCENT = 1
+
+    def compareBackgroundColor(self, imageName):
+        self.setViewport2Renderer()
+        self.assertSnapshotClose(imageName, self.IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_THRESHOLD, self.IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_PERCENT)
+        self.setHdStormRenderer()
+        self.assertSnapshotClose(imageName, self.IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_THRESHOLD, self.IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_PERCENT)
+
+    def test_BackgroundColor(self):
+        cmds.displayRGBColor('background', 0.5, 0, 0)
+        self.compareBackgroundColor("background_red.jpg")
+        cmds.displayRGBColor('background', 0, 0.5, 0)
+        self.compareBackgroundColor("background_green.jpg")
+        cmds.displayRGBColor('background', 0, 0, 0.5)
+        self.compareBackgroundColor("background_blue.jpg")
+        
+        cmds.displayRGBColor('background', 0, 0, 0)
+        self.compareBackgroundColor("background_black.jpg")
+        cmds.displayRGBColor('background', 0.5, 0.5, 0.5)
+        self.compareBackgroundColor("background_gray.jpg")
+        cmds.displayRGBColor('background', 1, 1, 1)
+        self.compareBackgroundColor("background_white.jpg")
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    fixturesUtils.runTests(globals())
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testFootPrintNode.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testFootPrintNode.py
index e6c8f51cd4..9e15682960 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testFootPrintNode.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testFootPrintNode.py
@@ -231,7 +231,6 @@ def test_MultipleViewports(self):
     #Test loading a scene
     def test_Load(self):
         with PluginLoaded('mayaHydraFootPrintNode'):
-            cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
             testFile = mayaUtils.openTestScene( 
                 "testFootPrintNode",
                 "testFootPrintNodeSaved.ma")
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testGrid.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testGrid.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..566a261a33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testGrid.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# Copyright 2024 Autodesk
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+#
+import maya.cmds as cmds
+
+import fixturesUtils
+import mtohUtils
+
+class TestGrid(mtohUtils.MayaHydraBaseTestCase):
+    # MayaHydraBaseTestCase.setUpClass requirement.
+    _file = __file__
+
+    IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_THRESHOLD = 0.15
+    IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_PERCENT = 2
+
+    def test_Grid(self):
+        cmds.grid(toggle=True)
+        self.assertSnapshotClose("grid_enabled.png", self.IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_THRESHOLD, self.IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_PERCENT)
+        cmds.grid(toggle=False)
+        self.assertSnapshotClose("grid_disabled.png", self.IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_THRESHOLD, self.IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_PERCENT)
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    fixturesUtils.runTests(globals())
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMayaLights.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMayaLights.py
index d929113308..6d2b111155 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMayaLights.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMayaLights.py
@@ -86,8 +86,6 @@ def verifyLightingModes(self, shadowOn):
 
     #Test maya lights (e.g., default,directional,point,spot,etc.) with a maya native sphere and usd sphere.
     def test_MayaLights(self):
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
-
         # Load a maya scene with a maya native sphere, usd sphere and some lights, with HdStorm already being the viewport renderer.
         # The sphere is not at the origin on purpose
         testFile = mayaUtils.openTestScene(
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMtohBasicRender.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMtohBasicRender.py
index 7b974d9d14..824082fc39 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMtohBasicRender.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMtohBasicRender.py
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ class TestSnapshot(mtohUtils.MayaHydraBaseTestCase):
     _file = __file__
 
     def test_flat_orange(self):
-        cmds.file(new=1, f=1)
-
         activeEditor = cmds.playblast(activeEditor=1)
 
         # Note that we use the default viewport2 renderer, because we're not testing
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMtohDagChanges.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMtohDagChanges.py
index 838b807170..0bfd4eeff7 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMtohDagChanges.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testMtohDagChanges.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 import maya.mel
 
 import fixturesUtils
+import mayaUtils
 import mtohUtils
 
 class TestDagChanges(mtohUtils.MayaHydraBaseTestCase):
@@ -271,7 +272,7 @@ def test_node_creation_undo(self):
 
         cmds.undoInfo(state=0)
         try:
-            cmds.file(new=1, f=1)
+            mayaUtils.openNewScene()
             self.setBasicCam()
 
             self.setHdStormRenderer()
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testObjectTemplate.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testObjectTemplate.py
index 095f5e8bbe..8ffc27f517 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testObjectTemplate.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testObjectTemplate.py
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@ class TestObjectTemplate(mtohUtils.MayaHydraBaseTestCase): #Subclassing mtohUtil
 
     #Test object display & selection when template attribute is on.
     def test_ObjectTemplate(self):
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
-
         # Load a maya scene with a maya native sphere
         testFile = mayaUtils.openTestScene(
                 "testObjectTemplate",
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStagePayloadsReferences.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStagePayloadsReferences.py
index 504ac064ea..3cd3e05bed 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStagePayloadsReferences.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStagePayloadsReferences.py
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ class TestUsdStagePayloadsAndReferences(mtohUtils.MayaHydraBaseTestCase): #Subcl
     IMAGE_DIFF_FAIL_PERCENT = 2
 
     def loadUsdPayloadScene(self):
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
         mayaUtils.openTestScene(
                 "testStagePayloadsReferences",
                 "FlowerPot.ma")
@@ -38,7 +37,6 @@ def loadUsdPayloadScene(self):
         cmds.refresh()
 
     def loadUsdReferencesScene(self):
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
         mayaUtils.openTestScene(
                 "testStagePayloadsReferences",
                 "References.ma")
@@ -49,7 +47,7 @@ def setUpReferenceScene(self):
         from mayaUsd import lib as mayaUsdLib
         import mayaUsd_createStageWithNewLayer
 
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
+        mayaUtils.openNewScene()
 
         # Create a simple scene with a Def prim with a USD reference.
         psPathStr = mayaUsd_createStageWithNewLayer.createStageWithNewLayer()
@@ -66,7 +64,7 @@ def setUpReferenceScene(self):
         self.setHdStormRenderer()
 
     def setUpPayloadScene(self):
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
+        mayaUtils.openNewScene()
         import mayaUsd_createStageWithNewLayer
         from mayaUsd import lib as mayaUsdLib
         import usdUtils
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStageVariants.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStageVariants.py
index 1b97fcd4ea..15ef9999d2 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStageVariants.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStageVariants.py
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ def test_UsdStageVariants(self):
         from mayaUsd import lib as mayaUsdLib
         # usdUtils imports mayaUsd.ufe
         import usdUtils
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
 
         testFile = mayaUtils.openTestScene(
                 "testStageVariants",
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStandardSurface.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStandardSurface.py
index a5fcf60386..ff3a526097 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStandardSurface.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testStandardSurface.py
@@ -28,8 +28,6 @@ class TestStandardSurface(mtohUtils.MayaHydraBaseTestCase): #Subclassing mtohUti
 
     #Test the translation from maya standard surface with a maya native plane to usd preview surface.
     def test_StandardSurface(self):
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
-
         # Load a maya scene with a maya native plane, which has autodesk standard surface as material
         testFile = mayaUtils.openTestScene(
                 "testStandardSurface",
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testTransforms.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testTransforms.py
index 70f27b2d6a..7efbf12d91 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testTransforms.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testTransforms.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 import maya.cmds as cmds
 
 import fixturesUtils
+import mayaUtils
 import mtohUtils
 
 class TestTransforms(mtohUtils.MayaHydraBaseTestCase):
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ def test_usdPrim(self):
         import mayaUsd_createStageWithNewLayer
         from pxr import UsdGeom, Gf
 
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
+        mayaUtils.openNewScene()
         self.setBasicCam(10)
         self.setHdStormRenderer()
 
diff --git a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testUSDLights.py b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testUSDLights.py
index 3389191806..5afb988821 100644
--- a/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testUSDLights.py
+++ b/test/lib/mayaUsd/render/mayaToHydra/testUSDLights.py
@@ -73,8 +73,6 @@ def verifyLightingModes(self, shadowOn):
 
     #Test usd lights (e.g., disk,distant,dome,etc.) with a maya native sphere and usd sphere.
     def test_USDLights(self):
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
-
         # Load a maya scene with a maya native sphere, usd sphere and some lights, with HdStorm already being the viewport renderer.
         # The sphere is not at the origin on purpose
         testFile = mayaUtils.openTestScene(
diff --git a/test/testUtils/imageUtils.py b/test/testUtils/imageUtils.py
index b2fc7ae144..19459aff05 100644
--- a/test/testUtils/imageUtils.py
+++ b/test/testUtils/imageUtils.py
@@ -15,8 +15,6 @@
 #
 import os
 import maya.cmds as cmds
-import maya.mel
-import mayaUtils
 import subprocess
 
 KNOWN_FORMATS = {
@@ -31,19 +29,8 @@
     'bmp': 20,
     'png': 32,
 }
-def resetDefaultLightIntensity():
-    """If the current Maya version supports setting the default light intensity,
-        then restore it to 1 so snapshots look equal across versions."""
-    if maya.mel.eval("optionVar -exists defaultLightIntensity"):
-        maya.mel.eval("optionVar -fv defaultLightIntensity 1")
-    if cmds.attributeQuery('defaultLightIntensity', node='hardwareRenderingGlobals', exists=True):
-        cmds.setAttr('hardwareRenderingGlobals.defaultLightIntensity', 1.0)
-resetDefaultLightIntensity()
 
-def snapshot(outputPath, width=400, height=None, hud=False, grid=False, colorManagementEnabled=False, camera=None):
-    resetDefaultLightIntensity()
-    cmds.displayRGBColor('background', 0.36, 0.36, 0.36)
-    
+def snapshot(outputPath, width=400, height=None):
     if height is None:
         height = width
 
@@ -60,24 +47,8 @@ def snapshot(outputPath, width=400, height=None, hud=False, grid=False, colorMan
 
     # save the old output image format
     oldFormat = cmds.getAttr("defaultRenderGlobals.imageFormat")
-    # save the hud setting
-    oldHud = cmds.headsUpDisplay(q=1, layoutVisibility=1)
-    # save the grid setting
-    oldGrid = cmds.grid(q=1, toggle=1)
-    # save the old color management status
-    oldColorManagementEnabled = cmds.colorManagementPrefs(q=1, cmEnabled=1)
-
-    # Find the current model panel for playblasting
-    # to make sure the desired camera is set, if any
-    panel = mayaUtils.activeModelPanel()
-    oldCamera = cmds.modelPanel(panel, q=True, cam=True)
-    if camera:
-        cmds.modelEditor(panel, edit=True, camera=camera)
 
     cmds.setAttr("defaultRenderGlobals.imageFormat", formatNum)
-    cmds.headsUpDisplay(layoutVisibility=hud)
-    cmds.grid(toggle=grid)
-    cmds.colorManagementPrefs(edit=True, cmEnabled=colorManagementEnabled)
     try:
         cmds.refresh()
         cmds.playblast(cf=outputPath, viewer=False, format="image",
@@ -85,12 +56,6 @@ def snapshot(outputPath, width=400, height=None, hud=False, grid=False, colorMan
                        widthHeight=(width, height), percent=100)
     finally:
         cmds.setAttr("defaultRenderGlobals.imageFormat", oldFormat)
-        cmds.headsUpDisplay(layoutVisibility=oldHud)
-        cmds.grid(toggle=oldGrid)
-        cmds.colorManagementPrefs(edit=True, cmEnabled=oldColorManagementEnabled)
-        
-        if camera:
-            cmds.lookThru(panel, oldCamera)
 
 def imageDiff(imagePath1, imagePath2, verbose, fail, failpercent, hardfail, 
                 warn, warnpercent, hardwarn, perceptual):    
diff --git a/test/testUtils/mayaUtils.py b/test/testUtils/mayaUtils.py
index 62412e8db8..e5ee67781a 100644
--- a/test/testUtils/mayaUtils.py
+++ b/test/testUtils/mayaUtils.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
     pass
 
 from maya import cmds
+from maya import mel
 from maya.api import OpenMaya as om
 
 import ufe
@@ -132,75 +133,31 @@ def isHydraRenderer():
     activeRenderer = cmds.modelEditor(activeEditor, q=True,rendererOverrideName=True)
     return activeRenderer == HD_STORM_OVERRIDE
 
-def openTestScene(*args):
-    filePath = testUtils.getTestScene(*args)
-    cmds.file(filePath, force=True, open=True)
-    # To err on the safe side, disable color management in case the scene had color management on.
-    # If/when we add color management tests, they will need to re-enable it manually.
+def resetDefaultLightIntensity():
+    """If the current Maya version supports setting the default light intensity,
+        then restore it to 1 so snapshots look equal across versions."""
+    if mel.eval("optionVar -exists defaultLightIntensity"):
+        mel.eval("optionVar -fv defaultLightIntensity 1")
+    if cmds.attributeQuery('defaultLightIntensity', node='hardwareRenderingGlobals', exists=True):
+        cmds.setAttr('hardwareRenderingGlobals.defaultLightIntensity', 1.0)
+
+def applyTestSettings():
+    resetDefaultLightIntensity()
+    cmds.headsUpDisplay(layoutVisibility=False)
+    cmds.grid(toggle=False)
     cmds.colorManagementPrefs(edit=True, cmEnabled=False)
-    if isHydraRenderer():        
-        cmds.setAttr("hardwareRenderingGlobals.multiSampleEnable", True)
-
-
-def openTopLayerScene():
-    '''
-        The test scene hierarchy is represented as :
-                |world
-                    |pSphere1
-                        |pSphereShape1
-                    |transform1
-                        |proxyShape1
-                            /Room_set
-                                /Props
-                                    /Ball_1
-                                    /Ball_2
-                                    ...
-                                    /Ball_35
-    '''
-    # Open top_layer file which contains the USD scene
-    return openTestScene("ballset", "StandaloneScene", "top_layer.ma" )
-
-def openCylinderScene():
-    return openTestScene("cylinder", "usdCylinder.ma" )
-
-def openTwoSpheresScene():
-    return openTestScene("twoSpheres", "twoSpheres.ma" )
-
-def openSphereAnimatedRadiusScene():
-    return openTestScene("sphereAnimatedRadius", "sphereAnimatedRadiusProxyShape.ma" )
-
-def openTreeScene():
-    return openTestScene("tree", "tree.ma" )
-
-def openTreeRefScene():
-    return openTestScene("tree", "treeRef.ma" )
-
-def openAppleBiteScene():
-    return openTestScene("appleBite", "appleBite.ma" )
-
-def openGroupBallsScene():
-    return openTestScene("groupBalls", "ballset.ma" )
+    cmds.setAttr("hardwareRenderingGlobals.multiSampleEnable", True) # TODO : Turn anti-aliasing off by default.
 
-def openPrimitivesScene():
-    return openTestScene("reorderCmd", "primitives.ma" )
-
-def openPointInstancesGrid14Scene():
-    return openTestScene("pointInstances", "PointInstancer_Grid_14.ma" )
-
-def openPointInstancesGrid7kScene():
-    return openTestScene("pointInstances", "PointInstancer_Grid_7k.ma" )
-
-def openPointInstancesGrid70kScene():
-    return openTestScene("pointInstances", "PointInstancer_Grid_70k.ma" )
-
-def openVariantSetScene():
-    return openTestScene("variantSet", "Variant.ma" )
-
-def openCompositionArcsScene():
-    return openTestScene("compositionArcs", "compositionArcs.ma" )
+def openNewScene(useTestSettings=True):
+    cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
+    if useTestSettings:
+        applyTestSettings()
 
-def openPrimPathScene():
-    return openTestScene("primPath", "primPath.ma" )
+def openTestScene(*args, useTestSettings=True):
+    filePath = testUtils.getTestScene(*args)
+    cmds.file(filePath, force=True, open=True)
+    if useTestSettings:
+        applyTestSettings()
 
 def setMayaTranslation(aMayaItem, t):
     '''Set the translation on the argument Maya scene item.'''
@@ -254,23 +211,6 @@ def createProxyFromFile(filePath):
 
     return shapeNode,shapeStage
 
-def createSingleSphereMayaScene(directory=None):
-    '''Create a Maya scene with a single polygonal sphere.
-    Returns the file path.
-    '''
-
-    cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
-    cmds.CreatePolygonSphere()
-    tempMayaFile = 'simpleSphere.ma'
-    if directory is not None:
-        tempMayaFile = os.path.join(directory, tempMayaFile)
-    # Prevent Windows single backslash from being interpreted as a control
-    # character.
-    tempMayaFile = tempMayaFile.replace(os.sep, '/')
-    cmds.file(rename=tempMayaFile)
-    cmds.file(save=True, force=True, type='mayaAscii')
-    return tempMayaFile
-
 def mayaMajorVersion():
     return int(cmds.about(majorVersion=True))
 
diff --git a/test/testUtils/mtohUtils.py b/test/testUtils/mtohUtils.py
index d61b621065..b8240bbea0 100644
--- a/test/testUtils/mtohUtils.py
+++ b/test/testUtils/mtohUtils.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 #
-import inspect
 import os
 import unittest
 
@@ -21,6 +20,7 @@
 import maya.mel
 
 import fixturesUtils
+import mayaUtils
 import testUtils
 from imageUtils import ImageDiffingTestCase
 
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         # Maya is not closed/reset between each test of a test suite,
         # so open a new file before each test to minimize leftovers
         # from previous tests.
-        cmds.file(new=True, force=True)
+        mayaUtils.openNewScene()
         self.setHdStormRenderer()
 
     @classmethod
@@ -108,7 +108,6 @@ def setHdStormRenderer(self):
         cmds.modelEditor(
             self.activeEditor, e=1,
             rendererOverrideName=HD_STORM_OVERRIDE)
-        cmds.setAttr("hardwareRenderingGlobals.multiSampleEnable", True)
         cmds.refresh(f=1)
         self.delegateId = cmds.mayaHydra(renderer=HD_STORM,
                                     sceneDelegateId="MayaHydraSceneDelegate")
@@ -125,7 +124,7 @@ def setBasicCam(self, dist=DEFAULT_CAM_DIST):
         cmds.setAttr('persp.translate', dist, .75 * dist, dist, type='float3')
 
     def makeCubeScene(self, camDist=DEFAULT_CAM_DIST):
-        cmds.file(f=1, new=1)
+        mayaUtils.openNewScene()
         self.cubeTrans = cmds.polyCube()[0]
         self.cubeShape = cmds.listRelatives(self.cubeTrans)[0]
         self.setHdStormRenderer()