The Design Overlay tool allows users to easily import and overlay design plans over maps or models on 2D/3D in PIX4Dcloud Advanced. With the Design Overlay tool, the as-built tool can be quickly compared with the as-designed tool to easily check progress and identify as-built errors.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Import a design file as DXF format (2D/3D)
Visualization of DXF in 2D viewer
Visualization of DXF in 3D viewer
Import a design file in image format
Import a design file as DXF format (2D/3D)
- On the left panel, in correspondence with the Design Overlays layer, click
.
- Select Vector design (DXF).
- The wizard Vector design (DXF) opens. To upload a file, select Upload file and browse the file or drag and drop the file.
- On the left panel, the status of the file's import is shown as a percentage under the Design overlays layer.
- After the import is complete, the DXF file is displayed on top of the orthomosaic. By default, the layers are enabled but can be switched off for better visibility.
Visualization of DXF in 2D viewer
By default, all the layers are displayed, but they can be switched off or on:
Visualization of the DXF on the orthomosaic in the 2D viewer.
Visualization of DXF in 3D viewer
- If the DXF doesn't have the elevation information included:
- The DXF is displayed by default at 0 altitude.
- On the right panel under On-screen 3D custom elevation, the elevation value of DXF is shown.
- The DXF is displayed by default at 0 altitude.
- If the DXF imported has the elevation information included:
- The DXF is displayed at the right altitude.
- On the right panel, under On-screen 3D custom elevation, the elevation value refers to the lowest point in the DXF.
Visualization of the DXF on the point cloud in the 3D viewer.
Import a design file in image format
- On the left panel, in correspondence with the Design Overlays layer, click
.
- Select Image design (PDF, PNG, JPG).
- The wizard Image design (PDF, PNG, JPG) opens. To upload a file, select Upload file and browse to the file or drag and drop the file.
- (Optional): If required, the uploaded file can be replaced by selecting Replace file.
- A preview of the file is displayed.
- Click Next to continue.
- Define two points of reference on your plan, placing the blue and red markers on the image by drag-and-drop. To place markers more precisely or check the markers' placement:
- Zoom in by scrolling the mouse scroll wheel forwards.
- Zoom out by scrolling the mouse scroll wheel backward.
- Pan by holding down the mouse's left button.
- Once the two markers are identified, select Next to align the uploaded file on the 2D map.
- Align the imported Image design by dragging the two markers to the same points of reference on the 2D orthomosaic. Match red to red and blue to blue.
Alternatively, manually edit the coordinates of the markers, adjusting their values in the Marker's coordinates.
- Once each marker is in the correct position, select Complete to finalize the Image design import process and to return to the project page.
- The imported Image design appears on the left panel. It may take a few minutes to process.
- (Optional) The existing Image design layer can be re-positioned or replaced by clicking
next to them on the left panel.
For now the design overlay can be replace but not delete from the project once a file is imported in a project.
Hi, The video does not play on this page -
CAD Overlay on Pix4Dcloud Advanced
Can you provide more info on the limitations of georeferenced pdfs? Linear size, number of layers, area, file size?
Hi Gyula. These limtations would be more related to the file format ittself rather than Pix4D specifically. Here are some sources that discuss this georeferencedPDF
https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/geospatial-pdfs.html
https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-geopdf?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products
Thanks! We have some experience with importing geoJSON and it works up until a few lines, but if we have a more complex file it just simply does not show up in pix4dcloud. So this is not will be the case with geopdf, if we are able to generate the pdf, it will appear?
It should appear yes.
Is there a way to create an output file that includes both the superimposed overlay and the underlying orthomosaic map? I used the screen capture function, but the information on the overlay is a little blurry when I zoom in. Also, can the color of the overlay lines be changed?
Thanks,
Mike
Hi Mike. Currently, there is no high res export feature that will combine these layers. Feel free to leave this as a feature suggestion on the page linked HERE