How to generate the 3D Textured Mesh - PIX4Dmapper

This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to generate the 3D textured mesh in PIX4Dmapper while or after processing step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh.

IN THIS ARTICLE

While processing step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh
After processing step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh

Access: It is possible to generate the 3D Textured Mesh while processing step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh or once it has been completed.

Important:

The Point Cloud is used to generate the 3D Textured Mesh, which is a surface composed of triangles. During the process of the 3D Textured Mesh generation, the vertices of the triangles are defined to minimize the distance between some points of the Point Cloud and the surface.
If any Processing Area and/or Image Annotation are defined, they will also be used to generate the 3D Textured Mesh.

Note: It is possible to select multiple formats to save the 3D Textured Mesh. When no output format is selected, only a .p4b file is generated. A .p4b file is always generated and can only be opened in the rayCloud of PIXDmapper.

Warning:

For .ply and .obj format, the texture is generated in a .jpg file, which contains a 2D planar RGB image with the values for each pixel of the triangles that form the 3D Textured Mesh.
In order to use the 3D Textured Mesh in other software, both the .ply/.obj and the .jpg files should be in the same folder and have the same name.
The .jpg texture file is associated to the .ply / .obj / .p4b files generated while generating the .jpg file.
If new .ply / .obj / .p4b files are generated, they cannot use a .jpg file generated previously, even if it corresponds to the same project and the same parameter values.
If having problems visualizing the 3D Textured Mesh in the rayCloud or an external software due to the lack of hardware resources, it is possible to resize the .jpg file (reducing the same percentage for the width and height) using any image editor.

While processing step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh

In order to generate the 3D Textured Mesh while processing the step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh:

1. On the Menu bar, click Process > Processing Options...
2. Select step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh.
3. Select the tab 3D Textured Mesh.
4. In the section Generation, select Generate 3D Textured Mesh.
5. (optional) In the section Settings, select the Resolution for the 3D Textured Mesh.
6. (optional) In the Settings section, select the checkbox Use Color Balancing for Texture to use the color balancing algorithm for the texture of the 3D Textured Mesh. For more information: Menu Process > Processing Options... > 2. Point Cloud and Mesh > 3D Textured Mesh.

Note: By default, the resolution is set to Medium Resolution. For more information: Menu Process > Processing Options... > 2. Point Cloud and Mesh > 3D Textured Mesh.

7. (optional) In the Export section, select the desired output formats to be generated (.ply, .fbx, .dxf, .obj, .pdf). For more information: Menu Process > Processing Options... > 2. Point Cloud and Mesh > 3D Textured Mesh.
8. (optional) In the 3D PDF output, click Select... to select a logo to be displayed in the 3D PDF file that will be generated (.jpg and .tif formats are accepted).
9. Click OK.
10. On the Menu bar, click View > Processing.
11. Select step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh and unselect 1. Initial Processing and 3. DSM, Orthomosaic Index.
12. Click Start.

After processing step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh

In order to generate the 3D Textured Mesh once step 2. Point Cloud and Mesh has been completed.

1. Follow steps 1. to 9. above to define the Processing Options.
2. On the Menu bar, click Process > Generate 3D Textured Mesh.

Note: By default the 3D Textured Mesh is not displayed in the rayCloud.

In order to visualize it in other software: Pix4D outputs with other software > by output.
In order to visualize it in the rayCloud:

1. Open the rayCloud: On the Menu bar, click View > rayCloud.
2. On the section Layers of the left sidebar, select Triangle Meshes.

For more information about the Triangle Meshes features: Menu View > rayCloud > Left sidebar > Layers > Triangle Meshes .