Getting started

2D/3D view - PIX4Dinspect

 

 

The project process can be a combination of 2D, 3D, and image viewers. The Intelligent Digital twin will be available in the 2D/3D, and image viewers only after the corresponding processing steps have been performed and the outputs optimized for their web-visualization.

Layers

On the left side navigation bar, different tabs are available to access the inputs, annotations, and results more effectively. The available layers are the following:

 

annotation_on_image.pngAnnotations

It contains all the image annotations made for the purpose of inspection. For more information, visit Image annotations.

 

Vector__2_.jpgInventory

it contains the inventory items recognized by Artificial Intelligence. This layer is only available for Cell tower asset types when the project has reached the final status Completed. The inventories are grouped based on the detected inventory types (Panel Antenna, Microwave Antenna, and Ancillary Box). When clicking the individual inventory items, the detailed Inventory item Card panel opens on the right. The color bar in front of the inventory items shows the on/off status of the inventory item. Inventory item name can be changed by clicking on name from the Inventory item card.
The Vector.png icon allows the user to set the public/private status for each of the inventory items. The inventory items set as public will be available through the share-link and JSON/PDF reports while the inventory items set as private will not. This allows sharing only a subset of inventory items or to generate the reports based on the current public/private selection.

 

measurement_unit.jpgMeasurements

It contains created measurements such as distance, area, and volumes. Click on Vector.jpg icon to turn off/on the visibility of the measurement.

 

Line

When clicking on a Line item in the Measurements, the details panel opens on the right.

 

  • Name
  • (optional) Description
  • (optional) Tags
  • Color: displayed color of the line.
  • Measurements
    • 2D length: length of the line projected on the 2D Elevation map.
    • 3D length: length of the 3D line.
    • Min. elevation: lowest elevation of the points forming the (poly)line.
    • Max. elevation: highest elevation of the points forming the (poly)line.
    • Elevation difference: difference between the highest and the lowest elevations.
    • Min. slope: minimum gradient value of the polyline.
    • Max. slope: maximum gradient value of the polyline.
    • Slope as percentage: display the above slope as percentage or in degrees.
  • Generate elevation profile: produce an elevation profile from the line. More information in: How to generate an elevation profile.

Polygon

When clicking on a Polygon item in the Measurements, the details panel opens on the right.

 

  • Name
  • (optional) Description
  • (optional) Tags
  • Color: displayed color of the polygon.
  • Measurements
    • 2D area: area of the polygon projected on the 2D Elevation map.
    • 3D area: area of the 3D polygon.
    • 2D perimeter: perimeter of the polygon projected on the 2D Elevation map.
    • 3D perimeter: perimeter of the 3D polygon.
    • Min. elevation: lowest elevation of the vertices forming the polygon.
    • Max. elevation: highest elevation of the vertices forming the polygon.
    • Elevation difference: difference between the highest and the lowest elevations.
 

camera.pngCamera Layer

It contains the input files of the project. The color bar in front of the camera shows the color of the highest severity level made on the annotation.

 

If the images were taken with PIX4Dscan, they would be divided by Flight Missions, which will be shown as drop-down menus containing all the images for the same mission.

Those drop-down menus can be:

Other cameras: Images taken with any other flight App or not being recognized as part of a PIX4Dscan flight mission.
Helix
Orbit
Cylinder
Single vertical
Underneath Orbit
Orbit line of sight
Manual images

It is possible to change the opacity of the images by clicking on the opacity icon (opacity.png), which will prompt a slider to select the desired opacity. The changes can be applied to all the images at once or by mission.

When looking for the images in the Camera tab, the filter(filter.png) is a useful tool to narrow the search.
All cameras: displays all the images that were used for processing.
Master cameras displays only the images that are extracted by AI to provide a minimum subset for covering the whole 3D model.
Only annotated: displays the images that are annotated.
Only unreviewed: displays only the images that are reviewed.
Only reviewed: displays the images that are not reviewed.

Once the images are filtered, the Camera tab will show the exact number of images filtered by the selected filter.

Any image filter can be disabled by clicking on the cancel button cancel_circle.png next to the number of images filtered.

You can also click on the visibility icon of the available cameras to change the visibility of the cameras on the 23/3D views and in the carousel.
When the visibility icon is in show status(visibility.png):
- The camera icon is displayed in the 2D/3D view.
- Regular thumbnail in the carousel.
- Cameras are taken into account for image navigation of the carousel through the arrow/cursor

When the visibility icon is in hide status(visibility_off.png):
- The camera icon is not displayed in the 2D/3D view.
- Thumbnail set to opaque in the carousel.
- Cameras are skipped during navigation in the carousel using arrow/cursor.

 

settings.pngIntelligent Digital twin

it contains processed 2D/3D layers such as Elevation map, Image map, 3D Model, and Textured 3D Model.

 

Elevation map

When clicking the Elevation map layer, the details panel opens on the right.

 

  • Name
  • (optional) Description
  • (optional) Tags
  • Settings
    • Visible: set the layer as visible or not visible.
    • Opacity: adjust the opacity level from 0 to 100.
    • Elevation: define the elevation interval of the points to be displayed in the layer.

Image map

When clicking the Image map layer, the details panel opens on the right.

 

  • Name
  • (optional) Description
  • (optional) Tags
  • Settings
    • Visible: set the layer as visible or not visible.
    • Opacity: adjust the opacity level from 0 to 100.

Textured 3D Model

When clicking the Textured 3D Model layer, the details panel opens on the right. This output is available for all the asset types except Cell tower.

 

  • Name
  • (optional) Description
  • (optional) Tags
  • Settings
    • Visible: set the layer as visible or not visible.
    • Opacity: adjust the opacity level from 0 to 100.

3D Model

When clicking the 3D Model layer, the details panel opens on the right.

 

  • Name
  • (optional) Description
  • (optional) Tags
  • Settings
    • Visible: set the layer as visible or not visible.
    • Elevation: enable this option to color the 3D Model points with a color scale reflecting the elevation gradient.
    • Point size mode: options are adaptive and fixed. More information in: How to optimally visualize the 3D Model in 3D.
    • Point size: magnify the size of the points from a factor or 0.05 to 10.
 

cloud_download-outline.png Export

it contains all the exportable reports, inputs, and outputs. For more information, visit Export.

Filter by name

When looking for an item in the Layers tab, the filter is a useful tool to narrow the search.

At the top of the Layers tab,

  • To filter by name: type in the name of the item to search.
2D/3D view
Note: The 3D view is available after the 3D Model has been generated. Before that, the 2D view is the only view that can be displayed.

The user can switch between the 2D and 3D view by clicking 2d3dswitcher.jpg under the Basemap box.

  • The 2D view shows the cameras and annotations in 2D and the 2D outputs (Image map and Elevation map).
  • The 3D view shows the cameras and annotations in 3D and the 3D Model.

The Basemap box allows switching between the Streets and Satellite Maps of Mapbox.

2D/3D tools
 

select.pngSelect and Modify

It allows to pan the map/model, select and modify an element in the views, visualize its details in the Details panel.

 

distance.png Measure a distance or elevation

It allows to draw a (poly)line annotation and extract measurements. An elevation profile can be generated from a distance measurement. For more information visit: How to generate an elevation profile.

 

area.png Measure an area

It allows to draw a polygon annotation and extract measurements from it.

 

Vector__2_.jpg Manually add a new inventory item

It allows to add a new inventory item manually and all the extra information needed (weight, depth, width, height, status, etc.).

 

focus_on_gps_position.png Inspect tool

It allows to click on any part of the 3D view and get an image showing the exact point that best fits the actual 3D orientation as well as all the images showing the same exact point, which will be marked on the image carrousel with a pin pin.png.

Important: Annotations created in the 2D view affect the 3D view and vice versa. It means annotations are automatically synchronized from one view to the other.
Note: For the cases where there’s overlap between different selectable items from the 2D/3D window (measurements, annotations, inventory items, etc.), right-click or tap and hold to open the items drop-down menu and select the particular desired one.
Visualization settings
 

PIX4Dinspect North indicatorNorth indicator:

Feedback is provided in the 2D/3D about where the north is located in the current 2D/3D point of view.

 

settings.png Viewer settings:

  • In the 2D: it allows to enable or disable the labels (measurements and names) on the annotations.
  • In the 3D: it allows changing the color in the 3D background, enabling or disabling the labels (measurements and names) on the annotations, and defining the size and number of millions of points to be displayed in the model. To access these options:
      1. Ensure to be in the 3D view.
      2. Click Pix4D settings button: the following settings can be changed:
      • Camera control: standard_navigation.pngAerial or first_person_navigation.pngfirst-person navigation.
      • Background color: color in the 3D background.
      • Millions of points: points shown in the 3D view.
      • Show labels: labels on measurements, annotations, and inventory items can be activated or deactivated.

The rendering can rely on an adaptive or a fixed point size mode.

      • Adaptive: the size of the points reflects the LoD level (not the precision) that is being displayed. This can create disparities among the points where some appear larger than others.
      • Fixed: the size of the points does not adapt to the LoD being displayed. This mode can favor a better rendering in particular situations, especially those where models contain thin structures.

To change the point size mode:

      1. On the Layers tab of the left side navigation bar, select the 3D Model layer.
      2. On the right, the 3D Model details panel opens. Select Fixed or Adaptive as Point size mode.

To change the point size:

      1. On the Layers tab of the left side navigation bar, select the 3D Model layer.
      2. On the right, the 3D Model details panel opens. Select the size of the points for the selected Point size mode.
 

camera.png Take a screenshot

The command takes a screenshot from the active view at the current zoom level and without the user interface.

  • In the 2D: the screenshot contains the selected 2D layers with the selected basemap, the active annotations with their labels, if displayed.
  • In the 3D: the screenshot contains the selected 3D layers with the selected background color, the active annotations with their labels, if displayed.
 

focus_on_gps_position.png Show my current position

(only available in 2D) It shows the user's current position. A pop-up message from the user internet browser might ask to allow Pix4Dinspect to track the user location.

 

focus_on_selection.png Center Map

It allows to center the map/model onto the centered/default point of view.

 

zoom_in.png Zoom In

it allows to zoom into the map/model.

 

zoom_out.png Zoom Out

it allows to zoom out of the map/model.