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Share functionality - PIX4Dcloud

This article explains how to share PIX4Dcloud datasets and Sites with customers and collaborators using LINK and EMBED URLs. It also explains the permissions available through shared links and how they differ from PIX4Dcloud Organization and resource roles.

Licenses:  This article is valid for all PIX4Dcloud licenses. Features available exclusively with PIX4Dcloud Pro are indicated where applicable. 

Roles: Only Owners and Managers can enable the share link in a dataset in PIX4Dcloud

Overview of sharing in PIX4Dcloud

PIX4Dcloud allows datasets and results to be shared with customers and collaborators through URLs generated directly from the dataset viewer.

Collaborators accessing a shared LINK or EMBED URL do not need a PIX4Dcloud account. Depending on the sharing method and permission level, they can visualize results, perform measurements, analyze data, or save supported annotations.

Sharing can be enabled or disabled at any time. When a share link is disabled, access through that link is immediately revoked.

Share link permissions and user roles 

Permissions assigned to a share link determine what collaborators can do when they access a dataset through that specific link. These permissions are separate from the user's PIX4Dcloud Organization role or resource role.

For example, a user may have an Editor role in PIX4Dcloud, but when accessing a dataset through a LINK URL, their available actions are limited to the permissions provided by that share link.

Similarly, access to a shared link does not grant access to the full dataset management functionality available in PIX4Dcloud.

To perform actions such as downloading outputs, managing datasets, uploading images, or processing data, collaborators must access the dataset directly in PIX4Dcloud and have the appropriate permissions.

 Sharing a dataset

Michigan BH._v3

To share a dataset:

  1. Open the dataset to be shared.

  2. Select Share in the top-right corner of the viewer.

  3. Choose one of the available tabs:

    1. LINK for share links

    2. EMBED for embed links

  4. Enable the required sharing option.

  5. Copy the generated URL or embed cod 

Share LINK URLs 

LINK URLs provide access to the dataset through an interactive web browser view.

Depending on the selected permission level, collaborators can visualize results, perform measurements, analyze data, and create or save supported annotations.

Two LINK URLs can be generated for each dataset:

  • View and measure only
  • Edit and save

sharing_link.png

Content available through LINK URLs

When accessing a dataset through a LINK URL, collaborators can view:

  • 2D and 3D results.
  • Existing annotations.
  • Measurement and analysis tools, depending on the permission level.
  • Elevation profiles.

If default 2D or 3D views are defined for the dataset, these views are preserved when the dataset is opened through a share link.

View and measure only 

The View and measure only LINK URL is intended for collaborators who need to visualize and analyze results without saving changes to the dataset.

Collaborators can:

  • Open the dataset without logging in.
  • View 2D and 3D results.
  • Create temporary measurements and annotations.
  • Modify supported layer visualization settings, such as visibility, opacity, and background color.

Changes made through this link are temporary and are discarded when the page is refreshed.

This option is recommended when customers or collaborators only need to review, visualize, and analyze project results.

Edit and save

The Edit and save LINK URL allows collaborators to make and save supported changes while accessing the dataset through the shared link.

Collaborators can:

  • Open the dataset without logging in.
  • View and analyze data using available 2D and 3D tools.
  • Create and edit supported annotations and measurements.
  • Modify supported layer visualization settings.
  • Save supported annotations, measurements, and visualization changes.

Saved changes remain available after the page is refreshed.

Note: Edit and save does not provide full dataset editing or management access. It allows collaborators to save supported annotations, measurements, and visualization changes, but it does not provide access to dataset management, image or file upload, processing, or downloading and exporting outputs. 

LINK URL limitations

A LINK URL is designed for sharing and interacting with existing results. It does not provide full access to the dataset in PIX4Dcloud.

When accessing a dataset through a LINK URL, collaborators can:

Action View and measure only Edit and save
View and analyze results  YES YES
Create measurements and annotations   Temporary only  YES
Save supported measurements and annotations  NO YES
Save visualization changes  NO YES
Upload images or files  NO NO
Process or reprocess a dataset  NO NO
Manage dataset settings or processing options  NO NO
Download input images  NO NO
Download outputs or export files  NO NO
Generate or download PDF annotation reports  NO NO
Add screenshots to PDF reports  NO NO
Attach images to markers  NO NO

 To upload data, process datasets, manage dataset settings, or download outputs, the collaborator must access the dataset directly in PIX4Dcloud with the appropriate Organization and resource permissions (Owners, Managers, or Editors). 

 

 

Sharing datasets in a Site with PIX4Dcloud Pro

With PIX4Dcloud Pro, datasets can belong to a Site, allowing multiple datasets from the same location or project to be organized together.

When a shared dataset belongs to a Site, accessing the shared dataset can provide access to the Site and its datasets through the sharing workflow.

Collaborators can:

  • Open datasets available within the shared Site.
  • Navigate between datasets in the Site.
  • Use available comparison functionality to compare datasets over time.
  • Open shared Compare mode views, when available.

Important: Site access through a share link is intended for viewing and analyzing the shared Site and its datasets. It does not provide the collaborator with full PIX4Dcloud management access or permissions to manage the Site, upload datasets, process data, or download outputs. 

 This workflow is particularly useful when sharing progress over time with customers, such as construction monitoring, inspections, or repeated surveys of the same location. 

Customer-facing sharing options 

 Use the following options depending on what the customer or collaborator needs to do: 

Goal Recommended option
 Allow customers to view and analyze project results   LINK – View and measure only 
 Allow customers to create and save supported measurements and annotations   LINK – Edit and save 
 Display PIX4Dcloud results on an external website   EMBED 
 Allow customers to compare datasets within a Site  Access the dataset directly through a PIX4Dcloud Pro Site sharing, when available 
 Allow customers to download outputs   Access the dataset directly in PIX4Dcloud with the required permissions 
 Allow collaborators to upload images or other files  Access PIX4Dcloud directly with the required permissions 
 Allow collaborators to manage or process datasets   Access PIX4Dcloud directly with the required permissions 

Embed URLs

EMBED URLs allow PIX4Dcloud results to be displayed on external websites.

The HTML code can be copied from the EMBED tab and added to a supported external website.

Behavior of EMBED URLs

When using an EMBED URL:

  • Results are available for visualization only.
  • Measurements and analysis tools are not available.
  • Annotations are not displayed.
  • Orthomosaics and 3D models can be viewed interactively.

The embedded content is served from a cache with a duration of 24 hours.

EMBED URLs are recommended when the goal is to display PIX4Dcloud results to website visitors without providing interactive analysis, annotation, or dataset access.

embed.png

The final results on the external website are the following.

From top to bottom: Embedded orthomosaic and Embedded 3D view.

Warning: If a dataset cannot be shared, check that:

  • The user's PIX4Dcloud role allows the share link to be enabled or disabled.
  • The share link is active.
  • Access to the link has not been revoked.
  • The PIX4Dcloud license is active and supports the required sharing functionality.