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How to use coordinate systems - PIX4Dmatic

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Image coordinate system
GCPs coordinate system
Project coordinate system
Arbitrary coordinate system
Horizontal grid corrections and transformations

Image coordinate system

PIX4Dmatic allows the image coordinate system to be manually set or edited.

To edit the image horizontal or vertical coordinate systems, click on the edit icon edit.svg in the lower right corner of the screen where the camera model is displayed.  

image_picker_1.jpg

How to open the image coordinate reference system picker in PIX4Dmatic.

After clicking on the edit icon, the Set image coordinate reference system (CRS) dialog box will open.

Image_CRS_picker.jpg

PIX4Dmatic image coordinate reference system picker dialogue box.

Unless a camera is in the PIX4Dmatic camera database or the images have the correct xmp tags, the default image coordinate system is WGS84 (EPSG: 4326) for the horizontal and EGM96 (EPSG: 5773) for the vertical.

 
Warning: For PPK or RTK-enabled drones, it is advised to understand what coordinate reference system the images were acquired in. NTRIP networks or base stations may broadcast corrections on something other than PIX4Dmatic's default CRS, and this coordinate system should be set accordingly. Otherwise, an incorrect transformation will occur, and a shift in the outputs may result.

GCPs coordinate system

Both the horizontal coordinate system and the vertical coordinate system can be defined in the Tie Points table: 

Pix4Dmatic_set_coordinate_system.jpg

To select the horizontal coordinate reference system:

  • In the Horizontal coordinate reference system dialog, search or copy-paste:
    • The name or
    • The EPSG code of the coordinate system.

To select the vertical coordinate reference system:

  • In the Vertical coordinate reference system dialog, search or copy-paste:
    • The name or
    • The EPSG code of the coordinate system.
  • (Optional) Geoid: If the selected vertical coordinate system supports geoids and the geoid model is available in the PIX4Dmatic database, select the geoid model in the drop-down list.
  • (Optional) Geoid height: If the selected vertical coordinate system supports geoids but the geoid model is not available in the PIX4Dmatic database, enter the value of the geoid height at that location.

For more information and the list of supported geoids, please see How to use Geoids in PIX4Dmatic.

 
Note: The Geoid height value is used to convert the image geolocation (WGS 84 ellipsoid or EGM96 geoid) into the desired project coordinate system.

Project coordinate system

The horizontal and vertical coordinate reference systems of the project are defined based on the imported image geolocation data or the selected GCPs coordinate reference system:

The project coordinate system is always visible on the bottom bar: Pix4Dmatic_project_coordinate_system_bar.jpg
  • When the GCPs coordinate system is not defined, PIX4Dmatic will default the project coordinate system to the corresponding UTM zone based on the position of the image geolocation. The vertical coordinate system is set to ellipsoidal heights*.
Example: When importing images with image geolocation in Switzerland the automatically assigned project coordinate system is:
  • Horizontal: WGS 84 / UTM zone 32N - EPSG 32632.
  • Vertical: WGS 84 - EPSG 7030 ellipsoid.
 
Note: For non-RTK captures, PIX4Dcatch automatically sets the horizontal coordinate reference system to WGS84 (EPSG:4326) and the vertical coordinate reference system to EGM96 height (EPSG:5773).
 
*Note: No GCPs are required to change the coordinate reference system in a PIX4Dmatic project.
Project_CRS_Matic.png
  • When GCPs coordinate system is defined, the project coordinate system corresponds to the GCPs coordinate systems. If the GCPs coordinate system is geographic the corresponding UTM zone is used for the project coordinate system.
 
Example: When importing images with image geolocation in Switzerland and defining the GCPs coordinate system as CH1903+ / LV 95 - EPSG 2056 with ellipsoidal heights, the project coordinate system is:
  • Horizontal: CH1903+ / LV 95 - EPSG 2056.
  • Vertical: Bessel 1841 - EPSG 7004 ellipsoid.

Arbitrary coordinate system

Arbitrary or local coordinate systems are typically used in constructions sites, or in mining. The origin of the system is based on arbitrary (local) points and is not aligned with any known coordinate system.

In PIX4Dmatic, Ground Control Points (GCPs) with arbitrary coordinates can be used to georeference the project in an arbitrary coordinate system. 

PIX4Dmatic_arbitraty_coordinate_system.png

Select the Arbitrary CRS and units (m, ft, ftUS) of the GCPs.

The recommended workflow [Method - A] is to:

  • Create a project and import images.
  • In the Select the GCP coordinate reference system (CRS), click Arbitrary CRS and select the units.
  • Import the GCPs.
  • Mark GCPs on images.
  • Run Calibrate step.
 
Note: The benefit of the recommended workflow [Method - A] is that there is no need to rerun the Calibrate step. The downside is that, since the position of images and GCPs are not aligned, it is not possible to get a rough position of the GCPs on image and it can consequentially take longer to locate and mark each GCP.

The alternative workflow [Method - B] is to:

  • Create a project and import images.
  • In the Select the GCP coordinate reference system (CRS), click Arbitrary CRS and select the units.
  • Run Calibrate step.
  • Mark at least 3 MTPs in the exact area where the GCPs appear.
  • In the Tie Points table, change the type of marked MTP to GCPs and manually insert their coordinates.
  • Rename the MTPs to the actual name of the GCP in the import file. 
  • Rerun the Calibrate step by selecting the Reoptimize cameras.
  • Import and mark additional GCPs.
  • Rerun the Calibrate step by selecting the Reoptimize cameras.
 
Note: The benefit of the alternative workflow [Method - B] is that the project is first georeferenced based on a small amount of GCPs. This way images and GCPs are roughly aligned, and it is easier to detect and mark additional GCPs.
By first calibrating the project, the Run AutoGCP algorithm is enabled which can additionally speed up the marking of GCPs.

Horizontal grid corrections and transformations

PIX4Dmatic supports the most common horizontal grid corrections and transformations.

The corrections will be used automatically based on the selected coordinate systems.

 
Information: Please contact support if you have additional questions regarding horizontal grid corrections and transformations or if you believe that the transformation you need is not included or precise enough.
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