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How to export/import annotations on PIX4Dcloud (DXF, SHP, csv and geojson)

This article explains how to export and import annotations in PIX4Dcloud, enabling users to reuse annotations across projects or exchange them with third-party GIS and CAD software. It describes the available export and import workflows, supported file formats, and known limitations.

IN THIS ARTICLE

How to export an annotation
Export formats
How to import an annotation
Import formats
Limitations
Export limitations
Import limitations

Licenses: This feature is available to PIX4Dcloud Starter and PIX4Dcloud Pro licenses.

Roles: Only Owners, Managers, and Editors can import/export annotations in a dataset.

Warning: Before exporting or importing annotations, review the supported coordinate systems in Georeferencing of datasets, outputs and annotations on PIX4Dcloud.

Video: The following video tutorial explains step-by-step how to export and import annotations in PIX4Dcloud.

How to export an annotation

Annotations can be exported in two ways:

  • Individual layer export
    Exports all selected annotations from a single annotation layer.
    PIX4Dcloud_download_individual_files.jpg
  • Global export
    Exports all selected annotations from all selected layers in the hierarchy.
    PIX4Dcloud_download_global_files.jpg

In both cases, multiple export formats are available.

Export_annotations_extension_format.jpg

Export formats

CSV (WGS84 and project coordinate system)

CSV export supports both WGS84 and the project coordinate system.

To export:

  1. Select CSV.

  2. The file is exported with a .csv extension.

Exported attributes include:

  • Markers: Type, Name, Longitude/Latitude (WGS84), Elevation, Creation date, X/Y (project CRS), Project CRS

  • Lines: Type, Name, Length, Creation date

  • Polygons: Type, Name, Perimeter, Area, Creation date

  • Volumes: Type, Name, Perimeter, Area, Creation date, Volume difference, Cut, Fill

  • Inspections: Type, Name, Longitude/Latitude (WGS84), Elevation, Creation date, X/Y (project CRS), Project CRS

GeoJSON (WGS84)

GeoJSON export is provided in WGS84.

To export:

  1. Select GeoJSON.

  2. The file is exported in GeoJSON format.

The file includes:

  • Geometry and properties for each annotation

  • Units in correct measurement systems

  • Tags, descriptions, color, creation and modification dates

  • Visibility state

Geometry details:

  • Lines: Vertex coordinates

  • Polygons: Polygon vertices

  • Circles: Exported as polygons

  • Volumes: Boundary vertices

  • Markers and Inspections: Point coordinates


Shapefile (WGS84 and project coordinate system)

Shapefile export supports WGS84 and the project coordinate system.

Supported SHP element types:

  • Points

  • Polylines

  • Polygons

Mapping of PIX4Dcloud annotations:

  • Markers, Inspections → Points

  • Lines → Polylines

  • Polygons, Circles, Volumes → Polygons

Export behavior:

  • Two ZIP files are generated:

    • wgs84_timestamp.shp.zip

    • project_srs_timestamp.shp.zip

Each ZIP contains, per annotation layer:

  • _points.shp/.shx/.dbf/.prj

  • _polylines.shp/.shx/.dbf/.prj

  • _polygons.shp/.shx/.dbf/.prj

File contents:

  • .shp: Geometry

  • .shx: Geometry index

  • .dbf: Attributes

  • .prj: Coordinate system

Information (DBF attributes):

  • Volumes: Perimeter, Cut, Cut error, Fill, Fill error, Volume difference, computation type

  • Polygons: Perimeter

  • Circles: Radius, Area

  • Lines: Perimeter

  • Markers and Inspections: No attributes

Tip: ZIP files can be opened directly in GIS software without extraction.
Warning: Annotation colors are stored as attributes but are not preserved if SHP files are reimported into PIX4Dcloud. For round-trip workflows, GeoJSON is recommended.

DXF (project coordinate system):

DXF export is provided in the project coordinate system.

Characteristics:

  • A single DXF file is generated.

  • All selected annotations and layers are included.

  • Colors are preserved.

  • 3D information is retained.

  • Compatible with DXF import as Design overlay in PIX4Dcloud.

Export behavior:

  • Each annotation layer becomes a DXF layer.

  • Markers are represented as crosses.


Note: Annotation groups cannot be exported. If selected, their internal layers are exported individually.

How to import an annotation

To import annotations into a project:

1. On the left sidebar, click the Annotations layer's name.
2. Click import.png.
3. Select the file format and proceed with the import.

Import_annotations_PIX4Dcloud.jpg

Import formats

CSV points (project coordinate system)

CSV import supports points only in the project coordinate system.

File format:

  • No header

  • Comma-separated values

Required columns:

  1. Label (name/ID)

  2. Easting

  3. Northing

  4. Elevation

Example: File with 4 points in projected coordinates 
001_,4392829.089,5386534.037,424.524
002_,4392772.823,5386545.0894,424.582
003_,4392732.981,5386516.197,424.723
004_,4392761.505,5386468.789,422.646

After selection:

  • A preview dialog displays detected markers

  • Click Upload to import the markers

 

GeoJSON (WGS84)

  1. GeoJSON import supports WGS84.

    Steps:

    1. Select GeoJSON.

    2. Choose the file from the local device.

    3. The annotations are displayed in the PIX4Dcloud editor.

Shapefile (WGS84)

Shapefile import supports WGS84 only.

Requirements:

  • Files must be zipped together:

    • .shp

    • .shx

    • .dbf

    • .prj

Warning: Only ZIP files containing the full shapefile structure are supported.

DXF (project coordinate system)

DXF import supports files georeferenced in the project coordinate system.

Steps:

  1. Select DXF.

  2. Choose the DXF file from the local device.

 

Limitations

Export limitations

  • DXF export is not available for shared projects.

  • SHP export is not available for shared projects.

Import limitations

DXF imports:

  • Polyline names are not preserved

  • Polylines are split into individual lines

  • Text elements are not supported

  • Polygons are converted to polylines

  • Elevation is set to 0

  • DXF layers are merged into a single annotation layer

SHP imports:

  • Text is not supported

  • Colors are not preserved

  • Annotation names are auto-generated

  • DBF attributes are not imported

  • Only WGS84 is supported

Warning: 

  • Importing files in an unsupported coordinate system results in incorrect positioning.

  • GeoJSON files must follow the same structure as PIX4Dcloud-exported GeoJSON files. To validate the format, export a sample annotation layer and compare the structure.