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      Menu Process > Processing Options... > 3. DSM, Orthomosaic and Index > Additional Outputs - PIX4Dmapper

      This article describes the feature options in each section of the Additional Outputs tab in the Processing Options window of step 3 DSM, Orthomosaic and Index.

      Access: On the menu bar, click Process > Processing Options.... Then, in the Processing Options pop-up, click 3. DSM, Orthomosaic and Index.

      Allows the user to change the selected processing options and output files for the additional outputs to be generated during step 3. DSM, Orthomosaic and Index. It contains 4 sections:

      • Grid DSM: Allows the user to select a vector output file format for the digital surface model (DSM).
      • Raster DTM: Allows the user to select the output file format and options for the raster digital terrain model (DTM).
      • Raster DTM Resolution: Allows the user to define the spatial resolution used to generate the digital terrain model (DTM).
      • Contour Lines: Allows the user to generate contour lines and to select the processing options for the contour lines.

      3. DSM, Orthomosaic and Index - Additional Outputs.jpg

      Grid DSM

      Allows the user to select a desired vector file format to export the digital surface model (DSM) as a point cloud or grid.

      • XYZ: An ASCII text file with the X, Y, and Z position, and color information for each point of the Grid DSM.
        • Delimiter: It defines the delimiter character of the file, used to separate the values. The drop-down list has the following options:
          • Space.
          • Tab.
          • Comma.
          • Semicolon.
      • LAS: A LiDAR LAS file with X, Y, and Z position and color information for each point of the Grid DSM.
      • LAZ: Compressed LiDAR LAS file with X, Y, and Z position and color information for each point of the Grid DSM.
      • Grid Spacing [cm]: The spacing defines the distance between two 3D points in the Grid DSM and is given in centimeters. For example, a grid spacing of 100 centimeters will generate one 3D point every 100 centimeters. The default value is 100 centimeters. One DSM with the selected spacing is generated in addition to a DSM generated using the resolution selected in the DSM and Orthomosaic tab.

      For more information about the file formats and the software with which these files can be opened: Pix4D outputs with other software > by output.

      Note: It is possible to select more than one format to save the grid DSM in more than one format.
      Note: The Grid DSM is restricted to 256 million points. If the chosen grid spacing or resolution generates more than 256 million points, then the grid sampling or resolution distance is doubled until the number of generated points does not exceed 256 million.

      Raster DTM

      Allows generating the raster digital terrain model (DTM). For more information about the DTM: What is... (a densified point cloud? an orthomosaic? etc.).

      Important: The option to generate the raster DTM is only available when the options Raster DSM and Merge Tiles for raster DSM are selected. For more information about the options of the raster DSM: Menu Process > Processing Options... > 3. DSM, Orthomosaic and Index > DSM and Orthomosaic - PIX4Dmapper.
      • Merge Tiles (activated by default): Generates a single GeoTIFF file by merging the individual tiles. When this option is not selected, the merged DTM file is not generated and contour lines cannot be generated with the DTM.

      Raster DTM Resolution

      Allows defining the spatial resolution used to generate the digital terrain model (DTM).

      • Automatic (default): By default, the resolution is set to 5 x GSD. One can also easily change the resolution to multiples of the GSD.
      • Custom: Allows to select any value higher than 5 x GSD, for the resolution of the raster DTM.

      Contour Lines

      Allows generating contour lines using the raster digital surface model (DSM) or the raster digital terrain model (DTM).

      For more information about contour lines: How to generate contour lines - PIX4Dmapper.

      Important: The option to generate the contour lines is grayed out if the option to merge the tiles of Raster DSM is disabled. For more information about the options of the Raster DSM: Menu Process > Processing Options... > 3. DSM, Orthomosaic and Index > DSM and Orthomosaic - PIX4Dmapper.

      The following processing options can be selected:

      • SHP: When this option is selected, the contour lines file are exported in .shp format.
      • PDF: When this option is selected, the contour lines are exported in .pdf format.
      • DXF: When this option is selected, the contour lines file are exported in .dxf format.
      Note: It is possible to select more than one format in order to save the contour lines in multiple formats.
      • Contour Base [units]: It defines the reference elevation from which contour lines are generated upwards and downwards. It can be in meters or in feet according to the coordinate system used.
      • Elevation Interval [units]: It defines the contour line elevation interval. It can be in meters or in feet according to the coordinate system used. It can be any positive value.
      Warning: The Elevation Interval must be smaller than (Maximum - Minimum) elevation of the DSM/DTM.
      Note: The smaller the Interval value, the larger the size of the contour lines file and the more processing time will be needed for its generation.
      Example: The Contour Base is used as a starting point for contour lines generation. Contour lines are generated, based on the selected Elevation Interval, upwards and downwards from the Contour Base.
      For example, a project with an elevation between 315 and 350 meters with:
      • Contour Base = 0 and Elevation Interval = 1 the first contour line will be at 315 meters, the second contour line at 316 meters and the last one at 350 meters.
      • Contour Base = 0.5 and Elevation Interval = 1 the first contour line will be at 315.5 meters, the second contour line at 316.5 meters and the last one at 349.5 meters.
      • Contour Base = 2 and Elevation Interval = 10 the first contour line will be at 317 meters, the second contour line at 327 meters and the last one at 347 meters.
      • Resolution [units]: It defines the horizontal distance for which an elevation value is registered. The higher the Resolution value, the smoother the contour lines.
      Example: If the Resolution is set to 100 cm, an elevation value will be registered every 100 cm horizontally.
      • Minimum Line Size [vertices]: It defines the minimum number of vertices that a contour line can have. Lines with fewer vertices will be deleted, producing less noise.
      Example: If the Minimum Line Size [points] is set to 20, all contour lines that have less than 20 vertices will be deleted.