FAQ - PIX4Dfields

What is PIX4Dfields?

PIX4Dfields is a product of PIX4D. An advanced agriculture mapping software for aerial crop analysis and digital farming.
The official PIX4Dfields main page is: https://www.pix4d.com/product/pix4dfields/
To download the latest version of PIX4Dfields visit https://www.pix4d.com/download-software/

How does PIX4Dfields work?

PIX4Dfields uses a direct-to-orthomosaic photogrammetry technique optimized for fast processing of smooth terrain from drone imagery. By focusing on this specific domain, PIX4Dfields provides high-quality maps processed in a fraction of the time, allowing immediate analysis while still on-site using a laptop computer.

Beginning with PIX4Dfields 1.11, an accurate processing option was introduced. This option generates a highly detailed height model along with a more accurate orthomosaic. However, the more complex processing algorithm will increase processing times. This is ideal for trial plots, spot application, and terrain analysis.

Does PIX4Dfields have access to satellite images?

Since PIX4Dfields 2.0, access to Sentinel 2 satellite was introduced. For more information: Satellite data in PIX4Dfields.

How do I try PIX4Dfields?

You can explore PIX4Dfields for 15 days for free with limited export functionality.

Existing PIX4D users:
Download PIX4Dfields from the download page. By logging in with your existing credentials you will be able to test PIX4Dfields 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.

How do I change from a trial to a paid license?

If a paid license was purchased and assigned to the same Pix4D account, log out and log in again to PIX4Dfields and select the new paid license.

How do I activate/redeem my license key?

First, ensure there is a Pix4D account. If not, create an account following the Sign up instructions. Then, to redeem a License key or a Voucher code:  

1. Go to the redemption page. If prompted, log in with the credentials of the Pix4D account to which the license or Pix4D credits should be attached or the credentials of the organization's owner.
2. Enter the license key received in the PDF License certificate or the Voucher code present on the flyer. Make sure you are logged in with the correct Pix4D account.
3. Click Redeem.

How do I transfer my license to a different laptop/device/computer?

There is no need to "transfer" your Pix4Dfields license to another computer. If the processing device has changed or the license be used in a different computer:

1. Log Out: First, log out of the Pix4Dfields application on the current computer. This will free up the license seat.
2. Install and Log In: Install Pix4Dfields on the new computer and log in using your Pix4D account credentials.
Note that projects stay in the device that was used for processing. 

How to cancel the subscription plan?

 The subscription plan can be canceled or edited at any time. Canceling the plan means deactivating the auto-renewal option and the associated billing.  For more information: How to cancel the subscription plan

Is PIX4Dfields available for macOS and Windows?

Yes, PIX4Dfields is available for both macOS and Windows.

How many computers can be used with the same account?

Each PIX4Dfields license is linked to a PIX4D account. PIX4Dfields can run on one computer at a time, but the license is floating and can be used to log in on any number of computers.

Are the inputs and outputs of PIX4Dfields compatible with other PIX4D software?

Yes, it is possible to import the exports from PIX4Dmapper (and other software) into PIX4Dfields and vice versa.

What is the price and type of licenses of PIX4Dfields?

PIX4Dfields is offered with monthly, yearly, three-year, and perpetual licenses. For more information: PIX4Dfields pricing.

Are there any bundle offers available for PIX4Dfields?

We frequently have exclusive bundles with some of our camera and drone partners. For more information: Contact sales.

Can I use PIX4Dfields with no internet connection?

Yes, PIX4Dfields is specifically designed to convert images into high-resolution maps, with no cloud or internet connection required. However, note that 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 PIX4Dfields. The software will store this license on your computer until it expires, so you can work offline.

Which cameras are supported in PIX4Dfields?

PIX4Dfields processes RGB images, multispectral images, and the thermal bands of the Altum and the Sentera 6x cameras. A list with a sample of the supported cameras, and the complete database can be found here: PIX4Dfields supported cameras.

Are there any demo data sets I can use to test PIX4Dfields?

Yes, the example datasets can be downloaded from the dashboard once you have activated a license. The datasets can also be downloaded from Example projects for PIX4Dfields.

These datasets may only be used for personal or professional training. For commercial or promotional use, “Courtesy of PIX4D / pix4d.com” must be displayed and all the text linked to pix4d.com. For more information on usage, contact our marketing team.

What hardware specifications do you need to run PIX4Dfields?

There are recommended hardware and software requirements to use PIX4Dfields see: Computer requirements.

Does PIX4Dfields support ground control points (GCPs)?

PIX4Dfields does not support ground control points (GCPs). If you need to use GCPs for improved accuracy and reconstruction, we recommend that you use PIX4Dmapper.

Can PIX4Dfields process oblique imagery?

PIX4Dfields supports processing nadir images captured with a drone camera pointing straight down. If you want to process oblique images, we recommend that you use PIX4Dmapper.

What is the recommended flight pattern?

For agriculture purposes, a single grid is recommended. We suggest avoiding double grid flights. For more information: How to capture drone images for PIX4Dfields.

What is the recommended flight altitude in PIX4DFields?

Assuming a relatively flat scene, a flight altitude between 60 and 100m normally gives good results. We do not recommend low-altitude flights (5-20m) as it may introduce artifacts into the orthomosaic. Please also keep in mind the legal flight altitude at your location.

My map doesn’t look great. Why?

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

For more information: Stitching artifacts - PIX4Dfields

What is the difference between a map generated in PIX4Dmapper and PIX4Dfields?

PIX4Dmapper takes fine-grained local variations in altitude into account when building maps, whereas PIX4Dfields is optimized for representing terrain, using a coarser ground model. If you have a lot of 3D structure in your maps, PIX4Dmapper will give more accurate results for the areas with the 3D structure. However, PIX4Dfields will still give good results on any surrounding terrain.

Beginning with PIX4Dfields 1.11, an accurate processing option was introduced. This option generates a highly detailed height model along with a more accurate orthomosaic. This is ideal for trial plots, spot applications, and terrain analysis.

Does PIX4Dfields include the same radiometric correction module as PIX4Dmapper?

Both products use the same radiometric correction module to correct individual input images. PIX4Dfields uses a different (faster) method to stitch the images into an orthomosaic. For more information: Radiometric correction in PIX4Dfields.

What is the geometric accuracy of PIX4Dfields?

It depends on the dataset, see What is the difference between a map generated in PIX4Dmapper and PIX4Dfields?. PIX4Dfields fast processing performs relatively well on the ground. However, on buildings and other structures above the ground, the accurate processing option is recommended. This option will generate a highly detailed height model along with a more accurate orthomosaic.

Absolute accuracy: On terrain features, the accuracy is 1-3 x the average GSD, or the GPS accuracy of the camera, whichever is larger.
Relative accuracy: On terrain features, the accuracy is 1-3 x the average GSD of the output orthomosaic.

What is the difference between the digital surface model (DSM) generated in PIX4Dfields and PIX4Dmapper?

While both digital surface models (DSMs) are outputs generated with Pix4D software, each is more specific to the industry the software is created for. With the DSM generated in PIX4Dmapper, you can get the accurate elevation value of each pixel, with or without above-ground objects, ready for your preferred GIS workflow. DSMs generated in PIX4Dfields capture terrain well but are less accurate in representing buildings and other vertical structures. They are a useful tool when addressing irrigation variability and pinpointing erosion-prone areas, but are not intended for high-resolution usage. The absolute altitude of the DSM generated in PIX4Dfields will depend on the quality of the GPS information from the image acquisition. Please see Processing options to fully understand the difference between fast and accurate processing

The DSM values seem wrong. What elevation is PIX4Dfields using?

PIX4Dfields uses the elevation tagged in the images and does not apply any conversion. Elevation will depend on the GPS of the drone and can refer to the ellipsoidal height or a geoid model.

Does PIX4Dfields process thermal imagery?

PIX4Dfields can only process the thermal bands of the Micanse Altum and Sentera 6x cameras.

PIX4Dfields can process .jpg thermal imagery, but they will be treated as RGB images, and the resulting orthomosaic is a colored-mapped of temperatures and contains only a visual representation of the temperature instead of the raw values

In zonation, how do you decide if the zones are significantly different from each other?

PIX4Dfields Targeted Operations Zonation provides several options to choose the optimal number of zones. The zones are based on clustering regions with similar values together.

What is the default coordinate system in PIX4Dfields?

The default coordinate system is the corresponding Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone (datum WGS84, EPSG 4326).

It is not possible to change the output coordinate system of the exported files within PIX4Dfields. 

Can I create a report of my outputs in PIX4Dfields?

You can create a PDF report of your outputs. To do so go to the export button in your top bar and once in the Export panel simply select the export type to be PDF report. Then include all the outputs you would like to display in the PDF report and hit export.

Can I upload PIX4Dfields layers to a farm management system?

It is possible to export zonation & prescription maps to a tractor terminal for variable rate fertilizer application as a shapefile. For more information: How to export a variable application rate map to a tractor terminal.

It is possible to upload files directly to John Deere Op. Center. 

Is the export functionality limited for trial licenses?

Yes, the export functionality is available only for commercial licenses. Therefore, during the trial period, it is not possible to export the results of PIX4Dfields. For more information about commercial licenses, contact sales.

Future Development - Add your feature request! 

PIX4Dfields will develop, grow, and implement new features specifically based on user feedback. With this constant development, you can expect updates in our software that will translate into better decision-making for agriculture. You can provide feedback on the product and share your feature requests in our PIX4Dfields Feature Request page.

What are the requirements to Share to PIX4Dcloud?

• This feature is available for PIX4Dfields version 1.10 or above.
• A paid (commercial) license is needed (i.e. not Trial) with valid S&U.
• An additional PIX4Dcloud license is not needed to use the Share to PIX4Dcloud option.
• PIX4Dfields Monthly billing subscribers can create up to 50 projects per month.
• PIX4Dfields Yearly billing subscribers can create up to 600 projects per year..
• PIX4Dfields 3-year license can create up to 600 projects per year.
• PIX4Dfields perpetual licenses with valid S&U can create up to 600 projects per year.

Should I upload PIX4Dfields files to DJI Smart Farm?

PIX4Dfields generates prescription maps and boundary files that are directly compatible with DJI Agras T-series drones, allowing you to bypass the need for DJI Smart Farm entirely.

• Spot spraying and variable rate prescriptions for DJI Agras T-series with PIX4Dfields.
• How to export field boundaries for DJI Agras T-Series in PIX4Dfields.

The only file DJI Smart Farm accepts is an external .tiff prescription. Go to Custom prescription and click Upload Prescription Map. 

Activation request file -  Offline license activation

When visiting the licensing page, there is Offline license activation tab, that asks for an Activation request file. This feature is not available in PIX4Dfields, please ignore it.