How to import Pix4D outputs to Autodesk

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(AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D) Import of .tif orthomosaic

The georeferenced GeoTIFF orthomosaic (transparent or non-transparent) that Pix4Dmapper generates can be imported into AutoCAD.

To import orthomosaic:

1. Drag and drop the orthomosaic onto the main view of AutoCAD.
2. Message asking for an insert point, scale factor and rotation angle will appear, press Enter three times.
3. Double-click on the main window to zoom in to the orthomosaic.
4. In command line type GEOREFIMG and press Enter.
5. Select orthomosaic and press Enter.
6. Double-click on the main window to zoom in to the extents of orthomosaic.

 
Important: To import the orthomosaic, the GeoRefImg command needs to be installed on AutoCAD. To download the command, click here.
 
Video: Watch the instructional video: here.

In some cases due to the size of orthomosaics (500 MB to 1 GB and more), orthomosaics cannot be loaded into AutoCAD following aforementioned steps. BigTIFF format is used for large orthomosaic (merged tiles) in Pix4D as a it is not read by AutoCAD. In such cases, to open orthomosaic in AutoCAD:

Method A: Load each tile of the orthomosaic one by one in AutoCAD following aforementioned steps.

Method B: Use another third-party software like Quantum GIS (QGIS), an open source application, to save orthomosaic in traditional format.

1. Drag and drop the orthomosaic onto the main view of QGIS.
2. Right-click on the corresponding layer and click Save As...
3. In the dialog Output mode select the Rendered image option.
4. Once exported, drag and drop the new orthomosaic onto the main view of AutoCAD.
5. A message asking for an insert point, scale factor and rotation angle will appear, press Enter three times.
6. Double-click on the main window to zoom in to the orthomosaic.

(AutoCAD) Import of .dxf file

1. On the menu bar, click the folder icon.
2. In the window Select File, in the field Files of type, select DXF (*.dxf).
3. Browse for the desired file.
4. Click Open.

For more information: Autodesk help.

(Revit) Import of .las point cloud

1. On the menu bar, click Insert and select Point Cloud.
2. In the window Link Point Cloud, in the field Files of type, select Raw Formats (*...).
3. Browse for the desired file.
4. Click Open.
5. On the pop-up File Not Indexed, click Yes.
6. In the window Point Cloud File Indexing, click Start Indexing.

revit_las_start_indexing.png

7. Once done, click Close.
8. On the menu bar, click Insert and select Point Cloud.
9. In the window Link Point Cloud, in the field Files of type, select Point Cloud Projects (*.rcp).
3. Browse for the desired file.
4. Click Open.

revit_las_loaded.JPG

(3ds Max) Import and rendering of .fbx or .obj mesh

To visualize the 3D textured mesh:

1. On the menu bar, click Open > Import.
2. In the window Select File to Import, in the field Files of type, select either:

  • Autodesk (*.FBX) to import the .fbx 3D textured mesh.
  • gw::OBJ-Importer (*.OBJ) to import the .obj 3D textured mesh.

3. Click Open.
4. In the window Import Options, click Import.
5. On each window, there are visualization options in the upper-left corner.
6. Switch from Default shading to Flat color.
7. In visualization options, edit the Lighting and shadows and select Illuminate with Scene Lights.

To render the 3D textured mesh:

1. Drag and drop the .fbx file onto the main view 3ds Max.
2. Click ic_3dsmax_material_editor.jpg.
3. Click Texture Standard.

3dsmax_texture_standard.jpg

4. Double-click window Texture Standard and set Self-Illumination to 100.

3dsmax_self_illumination.jpg

5. On the menu bar, select Rendering and click Render the texture.

For more information: Autodesk help.

(Maya) Import of .obj or .fbx mesh

1. On the menu bar, click File > Import...
2. In the window Import, browse for the desired file.
3. Click Import.
4. On the menu bar, click Lighting > Use Flat Lighting.

maya_flat_lighting.JPG

(AutoCAD, 3ds Max) Import of .obj or .ply mesh

There are plugins or scripts that allows the conversion:

Some of the mentioned tools allow to convert into other formats that should work in AutoCAD Revit or Lumion.

 

Disclaimer: Pix4D publishes this information as a courtesy to its customers. Pix4D makes no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to the content's validity or accuracy.

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11 comments

  • f e

    instruction for AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D does not work
    QGIS worked before it's update

  • Marco Paccagnella

    Please explain the problem with more details on our Community

  • f e

    can you try to load orthomosaic of (500 MB to 1 GB and more),
    by your instruction?

  • Marco Paccagnella

    Hello, here you can find more information: Very large Pix4D OrthoMosaic not importing in Autodesk Civil 3D

    Unfortunately, we cannot help more. We recommend you contacting AutoCAD for further information.

    Edited by Marco Paccagnella
  • Marco Paccagnella
  • Juan Roberto Jimenez Guerrero

    How can i import an obj file in vector works with all the texture?

  • Avatar
    Beata (Pix4D)

    Hi Juan,

    I'm afraid I don't understand your question. Could you tell me in other words, what do you have in mind? 

    Thank you very much!

    Regards

  • Topogis Topografia

    Hello,

    I cannot use the Georefimg. Is always giving the message "world file not found". Both files (the Tiff and the TFW has the same name and are both in the same folder).

    I took the geotiff file from Pix4D and converted in Qgis with High compression to be able to load it in autocad.

    I'm using Civil 3D 2020.

    Thanks in advance!

  • Marco Paccagnella

    Could you try with the original Pix4D geotiff?

    I suggest you contact the Civil 3D support team. We are interested in knowing their comments

  • Dustin Stokes

    Is it possible to upload .Obj files from other programs like 3dsmax, autocad, maya, zbrush, blender to the pix4d 3d models?  

  • Yuka (Pix4D)

    Hi Dustin,

    If you are using Pix4Dmapper, unfortunately, you cannot upload Obj files. Please find more information here. However, using Pix4Dcloud, you can upload it for visualization. Please visit the website, How to upload results and outputs to Pix4Dcloud, which explains the recommended file formats of OBJ Mesh data.

    Regards,

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