FAQ - PIX4Dreact

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What is PIX4Dreact?

PIX4Dreact is a fast-mapping desktop software that rapidly processes drone-captured images into accurate 2D maps when time is of the essence, and internet connectivity is not available. PIX4Dreact is designed for public safety, emergency management, humanitarian, and disaster relief to improve situational awareness and provide critical information.

How does PIX4Dreact work?

PIX4Dreact turns drone images into a 2D map. To achieve that, the software uses a direct-to-orthomosaic photogrammetry technique optimized for fast processing of mostly flat terrain from drone imagery. By focusing on this specific output, high-quality maps can be processed in a fraction of time thereby providing immediate situational awareness while still on-site using a laptop.

How do I try PIX4Dreact?

Existing PIX4D users:
Download PIX4Dreact from the download page.  By logging in with your existing credentials, you will be able to test PIX4Dreact for free.

New PIX4D users:
To create a PIX4D user account go to the sign-up page.  Upon completion, you will be redirected to the PIX4Dfields download page where you can download the software and demo datasets.

What hardware specifications do I need to run PIX4Dreact?

The hardware requirements can be found here.

Will my hardware affect the quality of my maps?

The image processing speed is directly correlated with the performance of your hardware. The quality of the generated map will not be affected by different hardware configurations.

How can I download PIX4Dreact?

Click here to download the latest release of PIX4Dreact.

How many computers can be used with the same account?

Each PIX4Dreact license is linked to a PIX4D account. PIX4Dreact can run on one computer at a time, but the license is floating and can be used to login on any number of computers.

Does PIX4Dreact process the data on the cloud or locally?

PIX4Dreact's fast processing engine processes the data locally on your computer and does not require an internet connection, other than to activate the license for the first time. However, locally processed outputs can be uploaded to PIX4Dcloud for sharing purposes.  Click here to learn more about share to PIX4Dcloud.

Can I use PIX4Dreact with no internet connection?

Yes, PIX4Dreact is specifically developed to convert images into high-resolution maps, with no cloud or internet connection required. However, before using it on a new computer, you will need to activate your license. While connected to the internet, log into your Pix4D account (or create a new one) and select a license so that you can use PIX4Dreact. The software will store this license on your computer until it expires, so you can work offline.

Which drones are compatible with PIX4Dreact?

PIX4Dreact will process imagery from the most popular drone models on the market today. We are actively working on supporting more RGB cameras in PIX4Dreact, and subsequent updated versions will have more camera model support. For more information: PIX4Dreact supported cameras.

Does PIX4Dreact process multispectral or thermal images?

PIX4Dreact does not process multispectral or thermal images. PIX4Dreact supports RGB images

What are the inputs and outputs of PIX4Dreact?

PIX4Dreact allows the import of JPEG images, as well as .p4r files. The full list of input and output files is available in this article.

What’s the difference between a 2D map generated in Pix4Dmapper and PIX4Dreact?

To create an orthomosaic map, Pix4Dmapper takes into account fine-grained local variations in altitude, whereas PIX4Dreact uses a coarser ground model. If there is a significant number of 3D structures in a project area then PIX4Dmapper will give more accurate results. However, PIX4Dreact still gives quality results on any surrounding flat area while generating outputs significantly faster than PIX4Dmapper.

What is the difference between the Digital Surface Model (DSM) generated in PIX4Dreact and PIX4Dmapper?

The DSM generated in PIX4Dmapper produces an accurate elevation value of each pixel, with or without above-ground objects, ready for your preferred GIS or CAD workflow.

DSMs generated in PIX4Dreact capture major ground shapes but are less sensitive to small structures. The absolute altitude of the DSM generated in PIX4Dreact will depend on the quality of the GPS information from the image acquisition.

What coordinate system is used by PIX4Dreact?

PIX4Dreact utilizes the corresponding Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone in the WGS84 datum WGS84.

Does PIX4Dreact support Ground Control Points (GCPs)?

PIX4Dreact does not support GCPs. If GCPs are required for improved accuracy and reconstruction, we recommend using PIX4Dmapper.

Can PIX4Dreact process oblique imagery?

PIX4Dreact supports processing nadir images captured with a drone camera pointing straight down. PIX4Dmapper is recommended for processing of oblique images.

My map doesn’t look great. Why?

The quality of a map can be affected by factors such as reflective surfaces in the area (water or glass), or large areas of the same color or texture (snow or skies). Please reach out to Support if encountering such issues as we can identify the cause and provide some recommendations for your future flights.

 
Note: An overlap of 80% frontal and side is recommended.

Can I edit my maps in PIX4Dreact?

Not currently. It is recommended to export the map and import it into a third-party application such as QGIS or ArcGIS. Future versions will give more fine-grained control.

Can I use non-aerial images with PIX4Dreact?

No, PIX4Dreact can only be used with aerial images, ideally captured by drones.

What if my camera is not supported in PIX4Dreact?

If a camera is not supported in PIX4Dreact, it is still possible to process the dataset if a file with the internal camera parameters is provided. For more information: Your camera is not supported at this time - PIX4Dreact.

What is Share to PIX4Dcloud?

Share to PIX4Dloud is a feature of PIX4Dreact which makes it easy to share 2D layers over the internet with just a web link. It enables the connection of a PIX4Dreact desktop project to PIX4Dcloud. A single orthomosaic and/or a DSM can be uploaded to PIX4Dcloud with a valid PIX4Dreact license. All layers will be stored in PIX4Dcloud, and a shareable URL link to the project will be provided after a successful upload.

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19 comments

  • Brian Concovia

    If I want to help my community
    Why should I pay for it?

  • Teodora (Pix4D)

    Hi Brian,

    I am not sure I understand your question. Pix4Dreact is commercial software, but you have the chance to test it for free and you are not obliged to purchase it.

    Best,

    Teodora

  • YU JAEpil

    HI 

    I am using Sony a6000 camera.

    It is impossible to proceed with the error message in the picture.

    Is there a way to solve it?

  • Teodora (Pix4D)

    Hi Yu,

    At the moment, ILCE 6000 is not supported. In order to have an impact in the decision-making and product improvements, you can now vote for your favorite feature request that you would most like to see implemented.

    Voting is very simple:

    1. In Feature Request/Suggestions category.
    2. Click on the topic that interests you or create a new one.
    3. Vote for it.
    4. Done, your vote is counted!
    5. You can manage, follow-up or even remove your vote(s) if you change your mind.

    Cheers,
    Teodora

  • John Simpson

    Hi, is it possible to use a previous map that has been exported from react as a basemap? Would be good to view differences in land erosion using the swipe feature, say between map created 12 months apart.

    Thanks

    John

  • Teodora (Pix4D)

    Hi John,

    Unfortunately, it is not possible to set a previously generated Pix4Dreact map as a basemap. However, we are working on enabling the use of more basemaps in the future. Please revisit our official website for newest versions and improved funtionalities here: https://www.pix4d.com/product/pix4dreact

    Your suggestion will have more weight if you share it on our Community and collect more votes from other users.
    Here is how you can do this:

    1. Go to the category Feature Request/Suggestions.
    2. Log in or create an account, if you don't have a Pix4D account yet.
    3. Look for the feature you are interested in. Someone else might have already asked for it. If such request doesn't exist, create it as a new topic.
    4. Vote for it.
    5. Done, your vote is counted!
    6. You can manage, follow-up or even remove your vote(s) if you change your mind.

    Best,

    Teodora

  • Dan Pfeiffer

    I thought you could purchase Pix4Dreact on a month by month basis. I only see the monthly cost by yearly subscription. Can you purchase month to month?

  • Avatar
    Momtanu (Pix4D)

    Dan, You can purchase a monthly rental, it comes at 39$.

     

  • Trent Hullinger

    My Mavic Pro 2's camera is supported however my settings are different from the FAQ page.

    "We are sorry. Your camera is not supported at this time."

    Camera found

    * L1D-20c

    * 5472 x 3078

    * 10.3

    Can I adjust this in my camera settings?

  • Avatar
    Momtanu (Pix4D)

    Hi Trent, If the camera model (and the resolution) is not there is our database, you can process with the XML workflow we have. You can make the XML file yourself and import to Pix4DReact or you can send me 5-10 images and I can generate the XML file for you. You can upload them in google drive and share the link with me (or use any sharing platform)

  • john culp

    Momtanu,

    I had the same issue as Trent:

    Can you send me the XML?

    Thanks, 

    John

  • Fernanda Bosmediano

    Hello Jhon and Trend, 

    This camera is in our internal database L1D-20c_10.3_5472x3648. You can see the camera database here: https://support.pix4d.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045923031

    We recommend using this resolution of the camera because we have calibrated it before adding it to the database, that would work and give the best results. In your cases, it is not being detected because your images have another resolution that is why we need to create an XML. Please try it with this file. If this does not work, then please share with us at least 5 images and then we can create the file for you. Please do not delete the file from the drive, you can download it and import it to Pix4Dreact here: 

    Sincerely, 

    Edited by Fernanda Bosmediano
  • Robert Hassel

    Hi,

    I just mapped a 76,000m2 área with Pix4D react using a P4 V2.0. I'm also trying Pix4Dcloud.  
    Its the second time I made the exact map with 80%-80% overlap, with 3:2 ratio,60 m height at 3m/s, and im not getting the map stiching well with this software, I put the same images in Pix4dCloud and it stiched the images way better. Any help with this since im liking Pix4D react because its a faster software. 

    Im attaching a picture for you to see.

     

  • Fernanda Bosmediano

    Hello Robert,

    Thanks for sharing the outputs.

    To create an orthomosaic map, Pix4Dcloud considers fine-grained local variations in altitude, whereas Pix4Dreact uses a coarser ground model that can explain those artifacts mainly on the buildings. In flat areas, you will get better results. So those differences are expected when you compare the outputs between both software. However, I have seen better outcomes from other users. If you share with me the Pix4Dcloud report, we can see if you can improve the flight settings for better results with Pix4Dreact.

    Can you please also share with us the use case that you will give to this? Is this an emergency response activity?

    Sincerely,

    Fernanda Bosmediano.

  • Robert Hassel

    Hi fernanda, 
    I cant upload PDF... just Jpef or Gif or PNG.
    So here are some pictures.

  • Fernanda Bosmediano

    Hello, 

    Thanks for sharing the information with us. I will recommend for the future to open these tickets in our community, or if you have support to contact us here. This can facilitate our communication and sharing of information.

     It seems a good quality report. If you prefer using Pix4Dreact, our recommendation is to fly at the highest altitude you can. According to the ground sampling distance, you need to get the job done, with the understanding that it will be more likely to produce reconstructions that exhibit errors or noise where there is a significant or abrupt change in elevation than Pix4Dcloud.

    Sincerely,

    Fernanda

    Edited by Fernanda Bosmediano
  • Michael Hadsell

    Hey Pix team,

    sorry to be a bother. I am using Mavic 2 pro and Pix4react. It is only processing about half the images saying the other are unsupported? How is this possible since it is taken by the same camera drone? Is there something I can adjust?

  • Fernanda Bosmediano

    Hello,

     We are pleased to help. Nothing to worry about. Just a short reminder that you have support and updates to create a ticket in support. I am suspecting you are using different resolutions with that camera. We have this resolution in our database L1D-20c_10.3_5472x3648. I will recommend using this one; if not, you might need an XML to process your dataset. Please contact us to support and send us your dataset and log file

    Best, 

     

  • Michael Hadsell

    Thank you I have opened a ticket--the problem persists--we will resolve it!

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