Pix4Dmapper

Getting​ ​Started
Sign-up 2

Redeem 3

Hardware​ ​-​ ​Computer 3

Software​ ​Download​ ​and​ ​Installation 4

Download 4
Installation 4
Language​ ​settings 7
Update 8
License​ ​deactivation 8

Inputs 9

Outputs 9

Image​ ​Acquisition​ ​Plan 10

General​ ​Case 10
Building​ ​reconstruction 11
City​ ​reconstruction​ ​-​ ​visible​ ​facades 12

Processing​ ​Options​ ​Templates 13

How​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​project 15

Creating​ ​a​ ​New​ ​Project 15
Importing​ ​the​ ​Images 17
Configuring​ ​the​ ​Image​ ​Properties 17
Selecting​ ​the​ ​Output​ ​/​ ​GCP​ ​Coordinate​ ​System 18
Selecting​ ​the​ ​Processing​ ​Options​ ​Template 20

Processing​ ​Steps 21
1.​ ​Initial​ ​Processing 21
2.​ ​Point​ ​Cloud​ ​and​ ​Mesh 21
3.​ ​DSM,​ ​Orthomosaic​ ​and​ ​Index 21

Ground​ ​Control​ ​Points​ ​(GCPs) 22

Instructions 22

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Sign-up
Please​ ​follow​ ​these​ ​steps​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​Pix4D​ ​user​ ​account:
1. Click​ ​the​ ​link​ ​or​ ​copy​ ​paste​ ​it​ ​into​ ​your​ ​favorite​ ​browser:​ h
​ ttps://cloud.pix4d.com/signup/
2. Complete​ ​the​ ​sign-up​ ​page​ ​with​ ​your​ ​information:

3. Click​ ​CREATE​ ​ACCOUNT​.

4. A​ ​verification​ ​email​ ​will​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​activate​ ​the​ ​account.​ ​Open​ ​the​ ​email​ ​and​ ​click
Confirm​ ​my​ ​email​.
5. The​ ​Pix4D​ ​user​ ​account​ ​is​ ​created​ ​and​ ​confirmed.

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Redeem
If​ ​the​ ​license​ ​is​ ​not​ ​already​ ​assigned​ ​to​ ​your​ ​account​ ​via​ ​an​ ​e-commerce​ ​purchase.​ ​The​ ​license
redeem​ ​makes​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​the​ ​owner​ ​of​ ​your​ ​license.​ ​First,​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a
Pix4D​ ​account.​ ​If​ ​not,​ ​create​ ​a​ ​Pix4D​ ​account​ ​as​ ​described​ ​in​ ​section​ S​ ign-up​.​ ​The​ ​steps​ ​to
redeem​ ​the​ ​license​ ​are:

1. Click​ ​the​ ​link​ ​under​ ​Activation​ ​Instructions​​ ​in​ ​the​ ​License​ ​Certificate​​ ​you​ ​have
received​ ​when​ ​purchasing​ ​the​ ​Pix4D​ ​license.​ ​Or​ ​go​ ​to:
https://cloud.pix4d.com/license-redeem/
2. Enter​ ​the​ ​license​ ​key​ ​in​ ​the​ ​box​ ​below:

3. Click​ ​Redeem​​ ​and​ ​the​ ​license​ ​is​ ​under​ ​your​ ​account.

Hardware​ ​-​ ​Computer

The​ ​following​ ​description​ ​shows​ ​the​ ​minimum​ ​and​ ​recommended​ ​Hardware​ ​and​ ​Software
requirements:

Minimum​:
● Windows​ ​7,​ ​8,​ ​10,​ ​Server​ ​2008,​ ​Server​ ​2012,​ ​64​ ​bits​ ​(PC​ ​or​ ​Mac​ ​computers​ ​using​ ​Boot
Camp).
● Any​ ​CPU​ ​(Intel​ ​i5/​ ​i7/​ ​Xeon​ ​recommended).
● Any​ ​GPU​ ​that​ ​is​ ​compatible​ ​with​ ​OpenGL​ ​3.2.​ ​(integrated​ ​graphic​ ​cards​ ​Intel​ ​HD​ ​4000​ ​or
above).
● Small​ ​projects​ ​(under​ ​100​ ​images​ ​at​ ​14​ ​MP):​ ​4​ ​GB​ ​RAM,​ ​10​ ​GB​ ​HDD​ ​Free​ ​Space.
● Medium​ ​projects​ ​(between​ ​100​ ​and​ ​500​ ​images​ ​at​ ​14​ ​MP):​ ​8​ ​GB​ ​RAM,​ ​20​ ​GB​ ​HDD​ ​Free
Space.

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 ● Large​ ​projects​ ​(between​ ​500​ ​and​ ​2000​ ​images​ ​at​ ​14​ ​MP):​ ​16​ ​GB​ ​RAM,​ ​40​ ​GB​ ​HDD​ ​Free
Space.
● Very​ ​Large​ ​projects​ ​(over​ ​2000​ ​images​ ​at​ ​14​ ​MP):​ ​16​ ​GB​ ​RAM,​ ​80​ ​GB​ ​HDD​ ​Free​ ​Space.

Recommended​:
● Windows​ ​7,​ ​8,​ ​10​ ​64​ ​bits.
● CPU​ ​quad-core​ ​or​ ​hexa-core​ ​Intel​ ​i7/Xeon.
● GeForce​ ​GPU​ ​compatible​ ​with​ ​OpenGL​ ​3.2​ ​and​ ​2​ ​GB​ ​RAM.
● Hard​ ​disk:​ ​SSD.
● Small​ ​projects​ ​(under​ ​100​ ​images​ ​at​ ​14​ ​MP):​ ​8​ ​GB​ ​RAM,​ ​15​ ​GB​ ​SSD​ ​Free​ ​Space.
● Medium​ ​projects​ ​(between​ ​100​ ​and​ ​500​ ​images​ ​at​ ​14​ ​MP):​ ​16GB​ ​RAM,​ ​30​ ​GB​ ​SSD
Free​ ​Space.
● Large​ ​projects​ ​(over​ ​500​ ​images​ ​at​ ​14​ ​MP):​ ​32​ ​GB​ ​RAM,​ ​60​ ​GB​ ​SSD​ ​Free​ ​Space.
● Very​ ​Large​ ​projects​ ​(over​ ​2000​ ​images​ ​at​ ​14​ ​MP):​ ​64​ ​GB​ ​RAM,​ ​120​ ​GB​ ​SSD​ ​Free
Space.

Software​ ​Download​ ​and​ ​Installation

At​ ​any​ ​given​ ​time​ ​there​ ​are​ ​two​ ​versions​ ​available​ ​to​ ​download:
● Pix4D​ ​Desktop:​ ​This​ ​version​ ​is​ ​meant​ ​for​ ​production​ ​work.
● Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​Preview:​ ​This​ ​version​ ​contains​ ​the​ ​newest​ ​features,​ ​but​ ​is​ ​not​ ​meant​ ​for
production​ ​work.

Download
To​ ​download​ ​the​ ​software:
1. Go​ ​to:​​ ​https://cloud.pix4d.com/download/​.
2. Download​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​or​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​Preview.

Installation
Once​ ​the​ ​software​ ​has​ ​been​ ​downloaded,​ ​install​ ​it​ ​using​ ​the​ ​following​ ​steps:
1. Double​ ​click​ ​the​ ​downloaded​ ​file.​ ​The​ ​Pix4Dmapper​ ​Setup​ ​wizard​ ​starts.

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2. (optional):​ ​If​ ​the​ ​Open​ ​file​ ​-​ ​Security​ ​Warning​ ​pop-up​ ​appears,​ ​click​ ​Run.

3. In​ ​the​ ​Pix4Dmapper​ ​Setup​ ​pop-up,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Welcome​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Pix4Dmapper​ ​Setup​ ​Wizard
screen,​ ​click​ ​Next​ ​>​.
4. (optional)​ ​Click​ ​Browse...​​ ​to​ ​change​ ​the​ ​destination​ ​path​ ​for​ ​the​ ​installation​ ​and​ ​click
Next​ ​>​.

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5. Click​ ​Install​.

6. (optional)​ ​In​ ​the​ ​software​ ​information​ ​window:​ ​"​Do​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​allow​ ​the​ ​following
program​ ​to​ ​install​ ​software​ ​on​ ​this​ ​computer?​",​ ​click​ ​Yes​.
7. Click​ ​Finish​.
8. A​ ​shortcut​ ​is​ ​created​ ​on​ ​your​ ​desktop​ ​and​ ​the​ ​software​ ​opens​ ​automatically​ ​once​ ​the
installation​ ​is​ ​completed.
9. The​ ​first​ ​time​ ​the​ ​software​ ​opens,​ ​the​ ​Pix4Ddesktop​ ​Login​ ​window​ ​appears:

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 10. Type​ ​the​ ​Email​ ​and​ ​Password​ ​of​ ​the​ ​account​ ​and​ ​click​ ​Login​.
11. Read​ ​the​ ​End-User​ ​License​ ​Agreement​,​ ​select​ ​I​ ​accept​ ​the​ ​terms​ ​in​ ​the​ ​License
Agreement​ ​and​ ​click​ ​Next​.
12. Select​ ​one​ ​of​ ​these​ ​options:
a. Request​ ​Pix4Dmapper​ ​now​ ​(Free​ ​Trial)​​ ​to​ ​activate​ ​a​ ​15-day​ ​trial.
b. Use​ ​Pix4Ddiscovery​​ ​to​ ​activate​ ​the​ ​limited​ ​version.
c. Choose​ ​a​ ​license​​ ​to​ ​select​ ​among​ ​existing​ ​licenses​ ​on​ ​the​ ​account.
13. Click​ ​OK​.

Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​is​ ​now​ ​ready​ ​for​ ​processing.

Language​ ​settings
You​ ​can​ ​change​ ​the​ ​language​ ​settings​ ​on​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​anytime:
1. Start​ ​Pix4Dmapper.
2. On​ ​the​ ​Menu​ ​bar,​ ​click​ ​Help​ ​>​ ​Settings…

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 3. The​ ​Settings​ ​windows​ ​open:

4. Click​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Language​ ​tab.

5. Under​ ​section​ ​Select​ ​the​ ​User​ ​Interface​ ​Language​,​ ​select​ ​the​ ​language.
6. Click​ ​OK​.
The​ ​changes​ ​will​ ​take​ ​effect​ ​when​ ​the​ ​software​ ​is​ ​restarted.

Update
The​ ​newest​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​and​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​Preview​ ​versions​ ​are​ ​always​ ​available​ ​for
download​ ​as​ ​described​ ​in​ ​section​ ​Download​.

​ oftware​ ​Update​ ​pop-up​ ​with​ ​three

Additionally,​ ​if​ ​a​ ​new​ ​version​ ​of​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​is​ ​available​ ​a​ S
options​ ​is​ ​displayed​ ​when​ ​the​ ​software​ ​is​ ​opened:
1. Download​ ​and​ ​Install​ ​Now​​ ​to​ ​download​ ​and​ ​install​ ​the​ ​latest​ ​version​ ​available.
2. Remind​ ​Me​ ​Later​​ ​to​ ​not​ ​download​ ​or​ ​install​ ​the​ ​latest​ ​version.​ ​The​ ​pop-up​ ​will​ ​appear
again​ ​in​ ​10​ ​days.
3. Cancel​​ ​to​ ​not​ ​download​ ​or​ ​install​ ​the​ ​latest​ ​version.​ ​No​ ​reminder​ ​will​ ​appear.

License​ ​deactivation
Starting​ ​from​ ​version​ ​4.0​ ​a​ ​new​ ​license​ ​management​ ​has​ ​been​ ​implemented,​ ​enabling​ ​to
remotely​ ​deactivate​ ​a​ ​device:
1. Download​ ​the​ ​latest​ ​version​ ​of​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop​ ​from​ ​the​ ​download​ p
​ age​.
2. Log​ ​out​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop.
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 3. Go​ ​to​ ​your​ ​license​ ​management​ ​panel​.
4. Under​ ​your​ ​Pix4Dmapper​ ​license,​ ​next​ ​to​ ​the​ ​30​ ​days​ ​license​ ​check​,​ ​click​ ​Enable​ ​now​:

5. Log​ ​in​ ​Pix4D​ ​Desktop,​ ​this​ ​will​ ​automatically​ ​register​ ​the​ ​device​ ​ ​on​ ​the​ ​license
management​ ​panel.
6. To​ ​deactivate​ ​the​ ​device,​ ​go​ ​to​ ​your​ ​license​ ​management​ ​panel​ ​and​ ​next​ ​to​ ​the​ ​device

name​ ​to​ ​deactivate,​ ​click​ ​Deactivate​ ​ .

Inputs
The​ ​main​ ​input​ ​to​ ​Pix4Dmapper​ ​are​ ​images​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​either​ ​JPEG​ ​or​ ​TIFF​ ​files.

Warning​:​ ​Do​ ​not​ ​modify​ ​the​ ​images,​ ​i.e.​ ​do​ ​not​ ​rotate​ ​or​ ​edit​ ​the​ ​images.​ ​Modifying​ ​images
alters​ ​the​ ​geometrical​ ​properties​ ​of​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​and​ ​may​ ​deteriorate​ ​the​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​results.

Extension Description

.jpg,​ ​.jpeg JPEG​ ​images

.tif,​ ​.tiff Monochromatic​ ​TIFF

Multi-band​ ​TIFF​ ​(RGB​ ​/​ ​Infrared​ ​/​ ​thermal)

1​ ​layer​ ​(no​ ​pyramid,​ ​no​ ​multi-page)

8,​ ​10,​ ​12,​ ​14,​ ​16​ ​bit​ ​integer,​ ​floating​ ​point

Outputs
Pix4Dmapper​ ​can​ ​generate​ ​these​ ​outputs:

● Camera​ ​parameters​​ ​(I​ nternal​ ​parameters​,​ ​External​ ​parameters​,​ ​Bingo​,​ ​SSK​):​ ​These​ ​files
describe​ ​the​ ​internal​ ​(focal​ ​length,...)​ ​or​ ​external​ ​parameters​ ​(position​ ​and​ ​orientation)​ ​of
the​ ​camera​ ​and​ ​images.
● Undistorted​ ​images
● Densified​ ​Point​ ​Cloud​ ​(​.las,​ ​.laz,​ ​.xyz,​ ​.ply​)​:​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​set​ ​of​ ​3D​ ​points​ ​that​ ​reconstruct​ ​the
model.​ ​The​ ​X,Y,Z​ ​position​ ​and​ ​the​ ​color​ ​information​ ​is​ ​stored​ ​for​ ​each​ ​point​ ​of​ ​the
Densified​ ​Point​ ​Cloud.

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 ● Digital​ ​Surface​ ​Model​​ ​(​Grid​ ​DSM​,​ ​Raster​ ​DSM​):​ ​T​his​ ​is​ ​a​ ​2.5​ ​D​ ​model​ ​of​ ​the​ ​mapped
area​ ​that​ ​contains​ ​(X,Y,Z)​ ​information,​ ​but​ ​no​ ​color​ ​information.
● Digital​ ​Terrain​ ​Model​​ ​(​DTM​:​ ​Raster​ ​DTM​):​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​2.5​ ​D​ ​model​ ​of​ ​the​ ​mapped​ ​area
after​ ​filtering​ ​out​ ​objects​ ​such​ ​as​ ​buildings,​ ​that​ ​contains​ ​(X,Y,Z)​ ​information​ ​but​ ​no​ ​color
information.
● Orthomosaic​​ ​(​GeoTIFF​,​ ​KML​ ​file​,​ ​Google​ ​Maps​ ​HTML​ ​file​):​ ​2D​ ​model​ ​(map)​ ​made​ ​by
blending​ ​several​ ​orthophotos.​ ​Color​ ​balanced​ ​to​ ​be​ ​visually​ ​pleasing.
● Index​ ​Map​​ ​(​GeoTIFF​,​ C ​ olored​ ​KML​ ​file​,​ ​Grid​ ​Shapefile​):​ ​To​ ​each​ ​index​ ​is​ ​associated​ ​an
index​ ​map.​ ​For​ ​each​ ​pixel​ ​on​ ​this​ ​map,​ ​the​ ​value​ ​of​ ​the​ ​pixel​ ​is​ ​derived​ ​from​ ​the
associated​ ​reflectance​ ​maps.
● 3D​ ​Textured​ ​Mesh​​ ​(​.obj,​ ​.fbx,​ ​.dxf,​ ​.ply,​ ​.pdf,​ ​.osgb,​ ​.slpk​):​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​representation​ ​of​ ​the
shape​ ​of​ ​the​ ​model​ ​that​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​vertices,​ ​edges,​ ​faces​ ​and​ ​the​ ​texture​ ​from​ ​the
images​ ​that​ ​is​ ​projected​ ​on​ ​it.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​useful​ ​to​ ​present​ ​and​ ​visualize​ ​the​ ​model,​ ​share​ ​it​ ​and
upload​ ​it​ ​to​ ​online​ ​platforms​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Sketchfab.
● Contour​ ​lines​​ ​(​shp,​ ​.pdf,​ ​.dxf​):​ ​These​ ​are​ ​lines​ ​connecting​ ​points​ ​of​ ​equal​ ​elevation.​ ​They
are​ ​useful​ ​because​ ​they​ ​allow​ ​to​ ​better​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​shape​ ​of​ ​the​ ​land​ ​surface​ ​(the
topography)​ ​on​ ​a​ ​map.
● Video​ ​animation​ ​(​.mp4,​ ​.mkv,​ ​.avi​)
● 3D​ ​Digitized​ ​objects:​ ​Polyline,​ ​Surface,​ ​Volume​ ​base​ ​surface​​ ​(​.shp,​ ​.dxf,.kml,​ ​.dgn​)

Image​ ​Acquisition​ ​Plan

The​ ​image​ ​acquisition​ ​plan​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​the:
● Type​ ​of​ ​terrain​ ​/​ ​object​​ ​to​ ​be​ ​reconstructed.
● Ground​ ​Sampling​ ​Distance​ ​(GSD)​:​ ​The​ ​GSD​ ​required​ ​by​ ​the​ ​project​ ​specifications​ ​will
define​ ​the​ ​distance​ ​(flight​ ​height)​ ​at​ ​which​ ​the​ ​images​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​taken.​ ​For​ ​example​ ​a
GSD​ ​of​ ​5​ ​cm​ ​means​ ​that​ ​one​ ​pixel​ ​in​ ​the​ ​image​ ​represents​ ​linearly​ ​5​ ​cm​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ground
(5*5​ ​=​ ​25​ ​square​ ​centimeters).
● Overlap​:​ ​The​ ​overlap​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​the​ ​type​ ​of​ ​terrain​ ​that​ ​is​ ​mapped​ ​and​ ​will​ ​determine
the​ ​rate​ ​at​ ​which​ ​the​ ​images​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​taken.

A​ ​bad​ ​image​ ​acquisition​ ​plan​ ​will​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​inaccurate​ ​results​ ​or​ ​processing​ ​failure​ ​and​ ​will​ ​require
to​ ​acquire​ ​images​ ​again.

All​ ​flight​ ​plans​​ ​described​ ​below​ ​can​ ​be​ ​flown​ ​automatically​ ​with​ ​the​ ​flight​ ​planning​ ​app
Pix4Dcapture​​ ​available​ ​on​ ​Android​ ​and​ ​iOS.

General​ ​Case
For​ ​most​ ​cases​ ​it​ ​is​ ​recommended​ ​to​ ​acquire​ ​the​ ​images​ ​with​ ​a​ ​regular​ g ​ rid​ ​pattern​.​ ​The
recommended​ ​overlap​ ​is​ ​at​ ​least​​ ​75%​ ​frontal​ ​overlap​​ ​(with​ ​respect​ ​to​ ​the​ ​flight​ ​direction)​ ​and​ ​at
least​​ ​60%​ ​side​ ​overlap​​ ​(between​ ​flying​ ​tracks).​ ​The​ ​camera​ ​should​ ​be​ ​maintained​ ​as​ ​much
possible​ ​at​ ​a​ ​constant​ ​height​​ ​over​ ​the​ ​terrain​ ​/​ ​object​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​desired​ ​GSD.
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The​ ​overlap​ ​and​ ​flight​ ​height​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​adapted​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​the​ ​terrain​.

For​ ​forest,​ ​dense​ ​vegetation​ ​areas​ ​and​ ​flat​ ​terrains​ ​with​ ​agricultural​ ​fields​ ​it​ ​is​ ​recommended​ ​to
increase​ ​the​ ​overlap​ ​to​ ​at​ ​least​ ​85%​ ​frontal​ ​overlap​ ​and​ ​at​ ​least​ ​70%​ ​side​ ​overlap​ ​and​ ​fly​ ​higher
so​ ​that​ ​it​ ​is​ ​easier​ ​to​ ​detect​ ​similarities​ ​between​ ​overlapping​ ​images.​ ​Projects​ ​with​ ​thermal
images​ ​require​ ​at​ ​least​ ​90%​ ​frontal​ ​and​ ​side​ ​overlap.

For​ ​projects​ ​with​ ​multiple​ ​flights​​ ​there​ ​should​ ​be​ ​overlap​ ​between​ ​the​ ​different​ ​flights​ ​and​ ​the
conditions​ ​(sun​ ​direction,​ ​weather​ ​conditions,​ ​no​ ​new​ ​buildings,​ ​etc.)​ ​should​ ​be​ ​similar.

Building​ ​reconstruction
For​ ​the​ ​reconstruction​ ​of​ ​a​ ​building​ ​a​ ​circular​ ​flight​ ​plan​ ​is​ ​recommended.

● Fly​ ​around​ ​the​ ​building​ ​a​ ​first​ ​time​ ​with​ ​a​ ​45°​ ​camera​ ​angle.
● Fly​ ​a​ ​second​ ​and​ ​third​ ​time​ ​around​ ​the​ ​building​ ​increasing​ ​the​ ​flight​ ​height​ ​and
decreasing​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​angle​ ​with​ ​each​ ​round.
● It​ ​is​ ​recommended​ ​to​ ​take​ ​one​ ​image​ ​every​ ​5​ ​to​ ​10​ ​degrees​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​enough​ ​overlap,
depending​ ​on​ ​the​ ​size​ ​of​ ​the​ ​object​ ​and​ ​distance​ ​to​ ​it.​ ​More​ ​images​ ​should​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​for
shorter​ ​distances​ ​and​ ​larger​ ​objects.

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Note:​ ​The​ ​flight​ ​height​ ​should​ ​not​ ​be​ ​increased​ ​more​ ​than​ ​twice​ ​between​ ​all​ ​flights,​ ​as​ ​different
heights​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​different​ ​GSD.

City​ ​reconstruction​ ​-​ ​visible​ ​facades

The​ ​3D​ ​reconstruction​ ​of​ ​urban​ ​areas​ ​requires​ ​a​ ​double​ ​grid​ ​image​​ ​acquisition​ ​plan,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​all
the​ ​facades​ ​of​ ​buildings​ ​(north,​ ​west,​ ​south,​ ​east)​ ​are​ ​visible​ ​on​ ​the​ ​images.​ ​The​ ​overlap​ ​should
be​ ​the​ ​same​ ​as​ ​in​ ​section​ ​General​ ​Case​.
For​ ​the​ ​facades​ ​to​ ​be​ ​visible,​ ​the​ ​images​ ​should​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​with​ ​an​ ​angle​ ​between​ ​10°​ ​and​ ​35°.

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Processing​ ​Options​ ​Templates
These​ ​are​ ​the​ ​default​ ​Processing​ ​Options​ ​Templates​ ​available​ ​in​ ​Pix4Dmapper.​ ​We​ ​strongly
recommend​ ​using​ ​these​ ​to​ ​process​ ​your​ ​projects.

Processing​ ​Options Description

Template

3D​ ​Maps Outputs​:​ ​3D​ ​map​ ​(point​ ​cloud,​ ​3D​ ​textured​ ​mesh)​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​a
DSM​ ​and​ ​an​ ​Orthomosaic.
Typical​ ​input​:​ ​aerial​ ​images​ ​acquired​ ​using​ ​a​ ​grid​ ​flight​ ​plan.
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​high.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​slow.
Applications​:​ ​quarries,​ ​cadaster,​ ​etc.

3D​ ​Models Outputs​:​ ​3D​ ​model​ ​(point​ ​cloud,​ ​3D​ ​texture​ ​mesh).
Typical​ ​input​:​ ​aerial​ ​oblique​ ​or​ ​terrestrial​ ​images​ ​with​ ​high
overlap.
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​high.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​slow.
Application​:​ ​3D​ ​models​ ​of​ ​buildings,​ ​objects,​ ​ground​ ​imagery,
indoor​ ​imagery,​ ​inspection,​ ​etc.

Ag​ ​Multispectral Outputs​:​ ​reflectance,​ ​index​ ​(such​ ​as​ ​NDVI),​ ​classification​ ​and
application​ ​maps.
Typical​ ​input​:​ ​aerial​ ​nadir​ ​images​ ​from​ ​multispectral​ ​cameras
(Sequoia,​ ​Micasense​ ​RedEdge,​ ​Multispec​ ​4C,​ ​etc).
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​high.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​slow.
Application​:​ ​precision​ ​agriculture.

Ag​ ​Modified​ ​Camera Outputs​:​ ​reflectance,​ ​index​ ​(such​ ​as​ ​NDVI),​ ​classification​ ​and
application​ ​maps.
Typical​ ​input​:​ ​aerial​ ​nadir​ ​images​ ​from​ ​modified​ ​RGB​ ​cameras.
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​high.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​slow.
Application​:​ ​precision​ ​agriculture.

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Ag​ ​RGB Output​:​ ​orthomosaic.
Typical​ ​input​:​ ​images​ ​from​ ​RGB​ ​cameras​ ​for​ ​agriculture​ ​(Sequoia
RGB).
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​high.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​average.
Application​:​ ​digital​ ​scouting,​ ​report​ ​claiming​ ​for​ ​precision
agriculture.

3D​ ​Maps​ ​-​ ​Rapid/Low Faster​ ​processing​ ​of​ ​the​ ​3D​ ​Maps​ ​template​ ​for​ ​assessing​ ​the
Res quality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​acquired​ ​dataset.
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​low.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​fast.

3D​ ​Models​ ​-​ ​Rapid/Low Faster​ ​processing​ ​of​ ​the​ ​3D​ ​Models​ t​ emplate​ ​for​ ​assessing​ ​the
Res quality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​acquired​ ​dataset.
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​low.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​fast.

Ag​ ​Modified​ ​Camera​ ​- Faster​ ​processing​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Ag​ ​Modified​ ​Camera​ ​template​ ​for
Rapid/Low​ ​Res assessing​ ​the​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​acquired​ ​dataset.
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​low.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​fast.

Ag​ ​RGB​ ​-​ ​Rapid/Low Faster​ ​processing​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Ag​ ​RGB​ ​template​ ​for​ ​assessing​ ​the
Res quality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​acquired​ ​dataset.
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​low.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​fast.

Thermal​ ​Camera Output​:​ ​thermal​ ​reflectance​ ​map.

Typical​ ​input​:​ ​thermal​ ​cameras​ ​(Tau​ ​2​ ​based:​ ​FLIR​ ​Vue​ ​Pro,
FLIR​ ​XT).
Outputs​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​high.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​slow.
Application​:​ ​irrigation​ ​control,​ ​solar​ ​panels,​ ​building​ ​inspection,
etc.

ThermoMAP​ ​Camera Output​:​ ​thermal​ ​reflectance​ ​map.

Typical​ ​input​:​ ​nadir​ ​images​ ​taken​ ​with​ ​thermoMAP​ ​camera.

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 Output​ ​quality/reliability​:​ ​high.
Processing​ ​speed​:​ ​slow.

How​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​project

This​ ​section​ ​goes​ ​step​ ​by​ ​step​ ​through​ ​the​ ​process​ ​of​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​new​ ​project.​ ​Example​ ​image
datasets​ ​can​ ​be​ ​downloaded​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Pix4D​ ​Knowledge​ ​Base​.

Creating​ ​a​ ​New​ ​Project

To​ ​create​ ​a​ ​new​ ​project:
1. Start​ ​Pix4Dmapper.
2. On​ ​the​ ​Menu​ ​bar,​ ​click​ ​Project​ ​>​ ​New​ ​Project...

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 3. The​ ​New​ ​Project​ ​wizard​ ​opens:

4. In​ ​Name:​ ​type​ ​a​ ​name​ ​for​ ​the​ ​project.

5. (optional)​ ​In​ ​Create​ ​in​:​ ​click​ ​Browse...​​ ​In​ ​the​ ​Select​ ​Project​ ​Location​ ​pop-up,​ ​navigate​ ​to
select​ ​the​ ​folder​ ​where​ ​the​ ​project​ ​and​ ​results​ ​will​ ​be​ ​stored​ ​and​ ​click​ S
​ elect​ ​Folder​.

Warning:​​ ​Ensure​ ​that:

● The​ ​project​ ​name​ ​DOES​ ​NOT​ ​use​ ​special​ ​character(s).

● The​ ​path​ ​where​ ​the​ ​project​ ​will​ ​be​ ​created​ ​DOES​ ​NOT​ ​use​ ​special​ ​character(s).
● The​ ​project​ ​name​ ​and​ ​the​ ​path​ ​together​ ​contain​ ​less​ ​than​ ​128​ ​characters.

6. (optional)​ ​Select​ ​the​ ​checkbox​ ​Use​ ​As​ ​Default​ ​Project​ ​Location​​ ​to​ ​save​ ​all​ ​new
projects​ ​in​ ​the​ ​selected​ ​folder.
7. In​ ​Project​ ​Type,​ ​keep​ ​the​ ​default​ ​option​ ​New​ ​Project​ ​selected.
8. Click​ ​Next​.

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Importing​ ​the​ ​Images
On​ ​the​ ​Select​ ​Images​ ​window:
1. Click​ ​Add​ ​Images...​​ ​to​ ​add​ ​the​ ​images​.

2. On​ ​the​ ​Select​ ​Images​ ​pop-up,​ ​navigate​ ​to​ ​select​ ​the​ ​folder​ ​where​ ​the​ ​images​ ​are​ ​stored,
select​ ​the​ ​images​ ​to​ ​be​ ​imported​ ​(it​ ​is​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​select​ ​multiple​ ​images),​ ​and​ ​click
Open​.
3. Click​ ​Next​.

Configuring​ ​the​ ​Image​ ​Properties

There​ ​are​ ​three​ ​optional​ ​steps​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​before​ ​clicking​ N
​ ext​:

a​.​ ​(optional)​ ​Select​ ​Image​ ​Coordinate​ ​System

If​ ​the​ ​image​ ​geolocation​ ​is​ ​given​ ​in​ ​a​ ​coordinate​ ​system​ ​other​ ​than​ ​WGS84​ ​(default),​ ​click
Edit…​​ ​under​​ ​Coordinate​ ​System​,​ ​and​ ​select​ ​the​ ​coordinate​ ​system​ ​of​ ​your​ ​images.

b​.​ ​(optional,​ ​recommended)​ ​Import​ ​Image​ ​Geolocation​ ​and​ ​Orientation

If​ ​the​ ​image​ ​geolocation​ ​(position)​ ​information​ ​is​ ​stored​ ​in​ ​the​ ​EXIF​ ​of​ ​the​ ​images,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​be
loaded​ ​automatically.​ ​Note:​ ​the​ ​geolocation​ ​information​ ​can​ ​also​ ​be​ ​imported​ ​from​ ​a​ ​file,​ ​by
clicking​ ​From​ ​File...​.

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Note:

● The​ ​software​ ​considers​ ​the​ ​Date​ ​Taken​ ​field​ ​of​ ​the​ ​EXIF​ ​to​ ​set​ ​up​ ​the​ ​order​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the
images​ ​are​ ​taken.
● Step​ ​1.​ ​Initial​ ​Processing​ ​is​ ​faster​ ​for​ ​projects​ ​with​ ​image​ ​geolocation.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​case​ ​of​ ​not
sufficient​ ​overlap,​ ​image​ ​geolocation​ ​helps​ ​to​ ​calibrate​ ​the​ ​images.

c​.​ ​(optional)​ ​Edit​ ​Selected​ ​Camera​ ​Model

A​ ​camera​ ​model​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​defined​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​run​ ​a​ ​project​ ​in​ ​Pix4Dmapper.​ ​The​ ​parameters
of​ ​this​ ​model​ ​depend​ ​on​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​that​ ​was​ ​used​ ​to​ ​capture​ ​the​ ​image.​ ​Most​ ​cameras​ ​save
their​ ​name​ ​in​ ​the​ ​metadata​ ​of​ ​the​ ​image​ ​in​ ​EXIF​ ​format.​ ​This​ ​field​ ​is​ ​used​ ​to​ ​associate​ ​a​ ​given
camera​ ​model​ ​to​ ​all​ ​the​ ​images​ ​captured​ ​with​ ​this​ ​camera.

The​ ​Selected​ ​Camera​ ​Model​ ​section,​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Image​ ​Properties​ ​window,​ ​displays​ ​the​ ​selected
camera​ ​model.​ ​The​ ​camera​ ​model​ ​can​ ​be:

○ ​ ​Valid​:​ ​A​ ​green​ ​check​ ​is​ ​displayed​ ​if​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​model​ ​is​ ​valid.​ ​A​ ​camera
model​ ​is​ ​valid​ ​if​ ​it​ ​already​ ​exists​ ​in​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​model​ ​database​ ​of​ ​Pix4Dmapper
or​ ​if​ ​there​ ​is​ ​sufficient​ ​information​ ​in​ ​the​ ​EXIF​ ​data​ ​of​ ​the​ ​images​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​new
camera​ ​model​ ​that​ ​will​ ​be​ ​saved​ ​into​ ​the​ ​user​ ​camera​ ​model​ ​database.​ ​If​ ​the
camera​ ​model​ ​is​ ​retrieved​ ​from​ ​the​ ​EXIF​ ​data,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​recommended​ ​to​ ​check​ ​the
camera​ ​model​ ​parameters​ ​and,​ ​if​ ​needed,​ ​to​ ​edit​ ​them.

○ ​ ​Invalid​:​ ​A​ ​red​ ​cross​ ​is​ ​displayed​ ​if​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​model​ ​is​ ​not​ ​valid.​ ​A​ ​camera
model​ ​is​ ​invalid​ ​if​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​in​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​model​ ​database​ ​of​ ​Pix4Dmapper​ ​and​ ​if
there​ ​is​ ​not​ ​enough​ ​information​ ​in​ ​the​ ​EXIF​ ​data​ ​of​ ​the​ ​images.​ ​In​ ​this​ ​case,​ ​the
camera​ ​model​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​defined​ ​manually.

Selecting​ ​the​ ​Output​ ​/​ ​GCP​ ​Coordinate​ ​System

In​ ​the​ ​Select​ ​Output​ ​Coordinate​ ​System​ ​window:
1. (optional)​ ​Change​ ​the​ ​Output​ ​/​ ​GCP​ ​Coordinate​ ​System​.

Note:

● By​ ​default,​ ​the​ ​output​ ​and​ ​GCP​ ​coordinates​ ​system​ ​will​ ​be​ ​the​ ​same.​ ​Thereby,​ ​outputs
can​ ​be​ ​shown​ ​in​ ​the​ ​coordinate​ ​system​ ​of​ ​the​ ​GCPs.
● By​ ​default,​ ​the​ ​Unit​ ​is​ ​m​ ​(meters).
● If​ ​the​ ​images​ ​have​ ​geolocation,​ ​by​ ​default,​ ​Auto​ ​detected​ ​is​ ​selected,​ ​displaying​ ​the
corresponding​ ​UTM​ ​or​ ​NAD83​ ​zone​ ​of​ ​the​ ​images.
● If​ ​the​ ​images​ ​do​ ​not​ ​have​ ​geolocation,​ ​by​ ​default,​ ​Arbitrary​ ​Coordinate​ ​System​ ​is
selected.

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2. Click​ ​Next​.

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Selecting​ ​the​ ​Processing​ ​Options​ ​Template
Ιn​ ​the​ ​Processing​ ​Options​ ​Template​ ​window:
1. Select​ ​the​ ​desired​ ​template​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​application​ ​and​ ​the​ ​desired​ ​outputs​ ​described
in​ ​section​ ​Processing​ ​Options​ ​Templates​.

2. (optional)​ ​Select​ ​the​ ​Start​ ​Processing​ ​Now​​ ​box​ ​to​ ​automatically​ ​start​ ​the​ ​processing.
3. Click​ ​Finish​ ​to​ ​finish​ ​the​ ​wizard​ ​and​ ​start​ ​the​ ​project.

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Processing​ ​Steps
This​ ​section​ ​describes​ ​the​ ​three​ ​steps​ ​for​ ​processing​ ​with​ ​Pix4Dmapper.

1.​ ​Initial​ ​Processing

In​ ​this​ ​step​ ​the​ ​images​ ​and​ ​additional​ ​inputs​ ​such​ ​as​ ​GCPs​ ​described​ ​in​ ​section​ I​ nputs​​ ​will​ ​be
used​ ​to​ ​do​ ​the​ ​following​ ​tasks:
● Keypoints​ ​extraction​:​ ​Identify​ ​specific​ ​features​ ​as​ ​keypoints​ ​in​ ​the​ ​images.
● Keypoints​ ​matching​:​ ​Find​ ​which​ ​images​ ​have​ ​the​ ​same​ ​keypoints​ ​and​ ​match​ ​them.
● Camera​ ​model​ ​optimization​:​ ​Calibrate​ ​the​ ​internal​ ​(focal​ ​length,...)​ ​and​ ​external
parameters​ ​(orientation,...)​ ​of​ ​the​ ​camera.
● Geolocation​ ​GPS/GCP​:​ ​Locate​ ​the​ ​model​ ​if​ ​geolocation​ ​information​ ​is​ ​provided.

Automatic​ ​Tie​ ​Points​ ​are​ ​created​ ​during​ ​this​ ​step.​ ​These​ ​are​ ​the​ ​basis​ ​for​ ​the​ ​next​ ​steps​ ​of
processing.

For​ ​more​ ​information​ ​about​ ​outputs,​ ​see​ ​section​ O

​ utputs​.

2.​ ​Point​ ​Cloud​ ​and​ ​Mesh

This​ ​step​ ​will​ ​build​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Automatic​ ​Tie​ ​Points​ ​with:
● Point​ ​Densification​:​ ​Additional​ ​Tie​ ​Points​ ​are​ ​created​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Automatic​ ​Tie
Points​ ​that​ ​results​ ​in​ ​a​ ​Densified​ ​Point​ ​Cloud​.
● 3D​ ​Textured​ ​Mesh​:​ ​Based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Densified​ ​Point​ ​Cloud​ ​a​ ​3D​ ​Textured​ ​Mesh​ ​can​ ​be
created.

3.​ ​DSM,​ ​Orthomosaic​ ​and​ ​Index

This​ ​step​ ​enables​ ​the​ ​creation​ ​of:
● Digital​ ​Surface​ ​Model​ ​(DSM)​:​ ​The​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​DSM​ ​will​ ​enable​ ​the​ ​computation​ ​of
Volumes,​ ​Orthomosaics​ ​and​ ​Reflectance​ ​Maps.
● Orthomosaic​:​ ​The​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Orthomosaic​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​orthorectification.​ ​This
method​ ​removes​ ​the​ ​perspective​ ​distortions​ ​from​ ​the​ ​images.
● Reflectance​ ​Map​:​ ​The​ ​goal​ ​is​ ​to​ ​produce​ ​a​ ​map​ ​where​ ​the​ ​value​ ​of​ ​each​ ​pixel​ ​faithfully
indicates​ ​the​ ​reflectance​ ​of​ ​the​ ​object.
● Index​ ​Map​:​ ​Generate​ ​an​ ​Index​ ​Map​ ​where​ ​the​ ​color​ ​of​ ​each​ ​pixel​ ​is​ ​computed​ ​using​ ​a
formula​ ​that​ ​combines​ ​different​ ​bands​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Reflectance​ ​Map(s).

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Ground​ ​Control​ ​Points​ ​(GCPs)
This​ ​method​ ​is​ ​used​ ​when​ ​the​ ​image​ ​geolocation​ ​and​ ​the​ ​GCPs​ ​are​ ​in​ ​a​ ​known​ ​coordinate
system​​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​selected​ ​from​ ​Pix4Dmapper's​ ​coordinate​ ​system​ ​database.​ ​The​ ​two
systems​ ​do​ ​not​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​same​ ​as.​ ​Pix4Dmapper​ ​is​ ​able​ ​to​ ​do​ ​the​ ​conversion​ ​between​ ​two
known​ ​coordinate​ ​systems.

This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​MOST​ ​COMMON​ ​CASE​​ ​and​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​mark​ ​the​ ​GCPs​ ​on​ ​the​ ​images​ ​with
little​ ​manual​ ​intervention.​ ​However,​ ​this​ ​method​ ​is​ ​not​ ​suited​ ​for​ ​"overnight"​ ​processing​ ​during
which​ ​the​ ​different​ ​processing​ ​steps​ ​start​ ​automatically​ ​in​ ​a​ ​row​ ​and​ ​do​ ​not​ ​require​ ​any
supervision​ ​by​ ​the​ ​user.

Instructions
1. Obtain​ ​GCPs​ ​measurements​ ​in​ ​the​ ​field​ ​or​ ​through​ ​other​ ​sources​.
2. Add​ ​/​ ​Import​ ​the​ ​GCPs​ ​with​ ​the​ ​GCP​ ​/​ ​MTP​ ​Manager​ ​WITHOUT​ ​marking​ ​them​.
3. On​ ​the​ M ​ enu​ ​bar,​ ​click​ ​View​ ​>​ ​Processing​.​ ​The​ ​Processing​ ​bar​ ​appears​ ​at​ ​the​ ​bottom
of​ ​the​ ​Main​ ​Window.
4. Select​ ​1.​ ​Initial​ ​Processing​ ​and​ ​d​eselect​ ​2.​ ​Point​ ​Cloud​ ​and​ ​Mesh​ ​and​ ​3.​ ​DSM,
Orthomosaic​ ​and​ ​Index​.
5. Click​ ​Start​.

6. Once​ ​Initial​ ​Processing​ ​is​ ​completed,​ ​mark​ ​the​ ​GCPs​ ​in​ ​the​ ​rayCloud.​ ​On​ ​the​ ​left
sidebar,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​section​ ​Layers,​ ​click​ ​Tie​ ​Points​,​ ​then​ ​click​ ​GCPs​ ​/​ ​MTPs​.​ ​The​ ​list​ ​of
GCPs​ ​is​ ​displayed.​ ​Select​ ​a​ ​GCP​ ​in​ ​the​ ​layer​ G ​ CPs​ ​/​ ​MTPs​:​ ​the​ ​right​ ​sidebar​ ​displays​ ​its
properties​ ​and​ ​the​ ​list​ ​of​ ​images​ ​in​ ​which​ ​it​ ​is​ ​visible.​ ​Mark​ ​the​ ​exact​ ​position​ ​of​ ​the​ ​GCP
on​ ​at​ ​least​ ​2​ ​images​ ​using​ ​the​ ​left​ ​mouse​ ​click.​ ​When​ ​the​ ​green​ ​cross​ ​is​ ​at​ ​the​ ​correct
position​ ​in​ ​most​ ​images,​ ​click​ ​Apply​.
7. Click​ ​Process​ ​>​ ​Reoptimize​.
8. (optional)​ ​Regenerate​ ​the​ ​Quality​ ​Report​ ​by​ ​clicking​ P ​ rocess​ ​>​ ​Generate​ ​Quality
Report​.

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www.pix4d.com

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