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How to define a project coordinate system in PIX4Dcloud

This article explains the different ways to define a project coordinate system in PIX4Dcloud, depending on whether the project is created by processing images, uploading existing outputs, or manually configuring an empty or non-georeferenced project. Correctly defining the coordinate system ensures proper alignment, accurate measurements, and consistent visualization across datasets.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Project coordinate system when processing images
Project coordinate system when uploading outputs
Manual project coordinate system definition
Choosing the correct workflow to define the project coordinate system

 

Licenses: This article is valid for PIX4Dcloud Starter and PIX4Dcloud Pro licenses (formerly PIX4Dcloud Advanced).

Roles: Only Owners, Managers, and Editors can create and process datasets in PIX4Dcloud.

Project coordinate system when processing images

When images are processed in PIX4Dcloud, the project coordinate system is defined during Step 3 of the dataset creation wizard.

  • The coordinate system is selected in the Output coordinate system section.

  • PIX4Dcloud automatically proposes a default coordinate system based on the image geolocation, which is suitable for most use cases.

For more information, see: New dataset Processing options Output coordinate system - PIX4Dcloud.

Important: When processing a project using Ground Control Points (GCPs), available with PIX4Dcloud Pro, the project coordinate system is defined by the coordinate system of the GCPs. The output coordinate system must therefore match the GCP coordinate system.

For more information, AutoGCPs detection functionality - PIX4Dcloud Advanced.

Project coordinate system when uploading outputs

When a project is created in PIX4Dcloud only to visualize existing outputs (such as an orthomosaic, DSM, NDVI, point cloud, or 3D mesh), the project coordinate system is automatically defined by the first georeferenced output uploaded.

  • All subsequent outputs must use the same coordinate system.

  • Mixing outputs with different coordinate systems may result in misalignment.

For more information, see: New dataset Dataset creation Upload outputs - PIX4Dcloud.

Manual project coordinate system definition

A project coordinate system can be defined manually in the following cases:

  • The project is empty and no outputs have been uploaded.

  • The project contains outputs without an embedded coordinate system, such as:

    • IFC files

    • 3D mesh files

    • Outputs missing CRS information (e.g. orthomosaic, DSM, NDVI, or point cloud without a defined coordinate system)

To manually define the project coordinate system:

  1. In Drive, click New dataset.

  2. Select Upload processed results.

  3. Click Create to generate an empty project in PIX4Dcloud.

  4. Click Set CRS to manually define the project coordinate system.

Manually CRS set in PIX4Dcloud.png

Information: Once the project coordinate system is manually defined, PIX4Dcloud expects all subsequently imported outputs and annotation files to be georeferenced in the same coordinate system.

Choosing the correct workflow to define the project coordinate system

The table below summarizes how the project coordinate system is defined in PIX4Dcloud based on how the project is created and which data is available.

Project scenario How the project is created Coordinate system definition Notes
Images are processed directly in PIX4Dcloud Upload images and start processing Defined in Step 3 – Output coordinate system of the dataset creation wizard A default coordinate system is automatically suggested based on image geolocation
Images are processed with GCPs (PIX4Dcloud Pro) Upload images and GCPs and start processing Defined by the GCP coordinate system The output coordinate system must match the GCP coordinate system
Outputs are uploaded for visualization only Upload processed outputs (no image processing) Defined by the first georeferenced output uploaded All uploaded outputs must use the same coordinate system
Outputs include files without CRS (e.g. OBJ, IFC) Upload processed results Must be manually defined before or during upload Required when outputs do not contain embedded CRS information
Empty project (no images or outputs) Create dataset → Upload processed results Manually defined using Set CRS Useful for preparing a project before uploading outputs
Mixed outputs with different CRS Upload processed results Not supported All outputs must share the same coordinate system