Getting started

Georeferencing of datasets, outputs and annotations - PIX4Dcloud

Each dataset, and corresponding outputs and annotations, is assigned a specific coordinate system according to different factors:

  • The input files.
  • The output coordinate system defined during the project creation.
  • The use of GCPs or of the AutoGCPs detection functionality.
  • Whether the images are processed on the Cloud servers or not.
  • How the project is created (uploads from other software).

Dataset and output coordinate system

Warning: The datasets belonging to the same site should have the same coordinate system in order to be able to perform comparisons on the outputs and measurements.

If the dataset is created importing images directly with PIX4Dcloud

More information on how to create a dataset with images in New dataset.

Do images have geolocation?
Is the AutoGCPs detection functionality used?
Which is the dataset/output coordinate system?
Yes, in WGS84
Yes, GCPs have a supported projected coordinate system
The same (horizontal and vertical) as the GCPs coordinate system
No AutoGCPs detection functionality is used

The selected horizontal output coordinate system.

The vertical coordinate system of the dataset reflects the vertical coordinate system of the input images.

Yes, not in WGS84
The AutoGCPs detection algorithm doesn't support this image coordinate system

The selected horizontal output coordinate system.

The vertical coordinate system of the dataset reflects the vertical coordinate system of the input images.

No
The AutoGCPs detection algorithm supports images only with geolocation

If the dataset is created importing results directly with PIX4Dcloud

More information on how to upload results can be found in How to upload results and outputs to PIX4Dcloud.

Note
  • If at least one georeferenced output is uploaded (orthomosaic GeoTIFF, DSM GeoTIFF, point cloud), the dataset is georeferenced.
  • If multiple results are uploaded, all the georeferenced files should have the same coordinate system.
  • To replace a result, the re-uploaded file should have the same coordinate system as the dataset's one.
Is the output georeferenced?
Which is the dataset/output coordinate system?
Yes, the uploaded file is a georeferenced point cloud (.las)
The dataset coordinate system is defined as the output's one.
Yes, the orthomosaic/DSM uploaded is a GeoTIFF
The dataset coordinate system is defined as the output's one.
No, the orthomosaic/DSM is a non-georeferenced .tif
Coordinates are computed with respect to an arbitrary project origin (0, 0).
The uploaded files are the mesh files and the offset.xyz file
No coordinate system is assigned to the dataset. However, the file is aligned with the coordinates of the output CS.
The uploaded files are the mesh files without the offset.xyz file
Coordinates are computed with respect to an arbitrary project origin (0, 0, 0).

If the project files are uploaded from PIX4Dmapper

Do images have geolocation?
Are GCPs used?
Which is the dataset/output coordinate system?
Yes/No
Yes/No
The output coordinate system is the one defined as the Output coordinate system in PIX4Dmapper before uploading it to PIX4Dcloud, if supported.

More information on how to upload project files in How to upload project files from PIX4Dmapper to PIX4Dcloud.

If the project files are uploaded from PIX4Dcatch

Was the viDoc RTK used?
Which is the dataset/output coordinate system?
Yes

The output coordinate system is the one defined in RTK Device Settings dialog.

No

By default, the output system will be:

  • WGS84 / UTM XX if the images are in WGS84. The UTM zone is computed based on the image EXIF information
  • Arbitrary if the images are not geolocated

Annotations coordinate system

Displayed coordinates in the 2D/3D view

  • Horizontal: Displayed as latitude and longitude in WGS84 (decimal degrees) and also as X, Y coordinates in the dataset coordinate system.
  • Vertical: The same vertical coordinate system as the dataset vertical coordinate system. The unit can be meters (m) or international feet (ft) according to the account preferences. For more information: PIX4Dcloud - FAQ.

Coordinates of the exported annotation layers

  • Horizontal: The annotation layers are exported in WGS84.
  • Vertical: The same as the dataset vertical coordinate system in the unit specified in the account preferences.

Coordinates of the imported annotation layers

  • Horizontal: The annotation layers have to be imported in WGS84.
  • Vertical: The same as the dataset vertical coordinate system in the unit specified in the account preferences.