The modernization of geospatial technologies defines the pace of infrastructure, engineering, and analytical development worldwide. From the precision of field measurements to the speed of decision-making, efficiency today depends on how seamlessly field teams and office analysts collaborate.
For this reason, our Swiss partner Pix4D — a leading developer of specialized software in the fields of photogrammetry and mapping — has released a new ecosystem update that further integrates all stages of spatial data workflows: from data capture to analysis, visualization, and collaborative interaction between teams.
New capabilities in the Pix4D ecosystem
The second edition of the Pix4D ecosystem update introduces a set of enhancements that strengthen the connection between field teams and office departments. The most significant among them is the introduction of Organization Management — a new structural foundation for enterprise collaboration. This feature enables companies to centrally manage licenses, users, and access levels, establishing a scalable model of interaction across departments, contractors, and partners.
Organization Management transforms day-to-day operations by enabling secure data sharing, role assignment, and project access management within a unified cloud environment. It simplifies collaboration on large-scale or long-term projects that involve multiple stakeholders and subcontracting teams.
Simplified RTK setup and profile sharing
One of the key steps in any geospatial workflow remains the configuration of hardware — connecting to correction networks, aligning coordinate systems, and setting up connections. In the latest version of PIX4Dcatch, these processes have been optimized: automation and standardization of initial setup steps significantly reduce manual input and accelerate field readiness.
The application now includes automatic NTRIP CRS selection and the ability to export and import RTK profiles, eliminating the need for repeated configuration when working across multiple devices. A user can create a profile once, store it securely, add a password for extra protection, and share it with colleagues as needed.
Send and import your RTK profile across multiple devices with PIX4Dcatch
An integrated database of correction services automatically determines the appropriate NTRIP CRS for the selected provider, allowing field teams to focus directly on data collection. Combined, these features minimize manual setup, reduce preparation time, and enhance connection stability — ensuring a seamless workflow from RTK activation to data capture.
Annotations and Field Collaboration
The update also enhances the collaborative aspect of field operations, enabling teams to document site conditions directly during data capture. Users can now create annotations both from the PIX4Dcloud mobile interface and directly within PIX4Dcatch — whether to record on-site observations, safety concerns, or technical notes added in real time during scanning.
Annotation directly from the PIX4Dcloud mobile interface
These annotations are not static markers — they are georeferenced, dynamic records stored together with the dataset and transferred through subsequent processing stages. As a result, every team member — whether in the field or at the office — has access to the same comprehensive, context-rich information.
Structured data for complex desktop projects
The latest version of PIX4Dcatch introduces the OPF (Open Photogrammetry Format), providing a standardized approach to data transfer for further processing. The format consolidates all elements of a capture — including images, trajectory, camera orientation, and metadata — into a single structured package, ready for seamless import into PIX4Dmatic.
The latest updates in Pix4D
For projects that combine data from multiple sources — drones, mobile devices, or terrestrial systems — the OPF format eliminates the need for realignment, manual file merging, and parameter synchronization. This ensures data consistency throughout all processing stages and reduces the potential for errors.
The format establishes a foundation for reliable work with complex datasets typical of infrastructure, construction, and geotechnical projects, where data accuracy and completeness are critical to effective analysis and decision-making.
Unified processing in PIX4Dmatic
The latest PIX4Dmatic update expands the capabilities for processing combined datasets, providing full integration of terrestrial and aerial captures within a single, streamlined workflow.
Key features:
- Unified workflow. PIX4Dmatic supports the joint processing of aerial imagery, terrestrial scans, and mobile data, ensuring full compatibility across all sources.
- Combined reconstruction. Surface modeling algorithms with polygon-aware DSM generation enable the creation of accurate digital models even in challenging capture conditions or partially covered areas.
- Multi-data support. The software processes both photogrammetric and LiDAR datasets, generating a single, consistent model of the terrain or object.
- CAD integration. Results can be exported in CSV or LandXML formats for further use in CAD environments — including earthwork analysis and change tracking.
- Flexible visualization. Mesh models can be dynamically scaled to the required level of detail, from internal reviews to client presentations.
As a result, users gain complete data integration, processing stability, and consistent outcomes across all project stakeholders.
Collaboration in PIX4Dcloud
For most industries — from construction and energy to infrastructure management — rapid data access and collaborative result verification in a cloud environment remain critical. The latest PIX4Dcloud updates address these needs by expanding the toolkit for analysis, quality control, and real-time team collaboration.
PIX4Dcloud interface comparing measurements between point clouds and design files
The updates include:
- SLPK format support. Data captured in PIX4Dcatch can now be directly uploaded to PIX4Dcloud in SLPK format, enabling fast visualization of 3D models without additional processing.
- Design file comparison. Engineers can overlay IFC and DXF files onto point clouds, perform measurements, check deviations, and add comments directly within the web interface.
- As-built / as-designed validation. Accurate alignment of field data with design models allows quick identification of discrepancies and reduces the time required for project validation.
- Enhanced collaboration. Comments, measurements, and annotations are accessible to all project participants, whether working on-site or remotely.
- ArcGIS interoperability. The SLPK format is compatible with ESRI ArcGIS systems, simplifying the integration of Pix4D outputs into broader infrastructure and municipal GIS platforms.
With these capabilities, PIX4Dcloud becomes a central tool for data verification, quality control, and collaboration — ensuring continuous connectivity between field teams, engineers, and stakeholders.
Scalable Collaboration with Organization Management
A central component of the update is Organization Management, which provides a structured model for enterprise collaboration. It enables companies to unify users, licenses, and projects within a single administrative framework, creating a consistent working environment across the organization.
This approach establishes a foundation for centralized access control and role assignment, allowing efficient management of both internal teams and external contractors. For large organizations, it ensures scalable collaboration without loss of oversight; for smaller teams, it simplifies shared project management.
This functionality is particularly valuable within the PIX4Dcloud ecosystem, where secure access, role-based permissions, and real-time collaboration determine project efficiency. With Organization Management, teamwork evolves to a new level — where all participants operate within a unified structure, and data governance becomes both controlled and scalable.
The latest Pix4D ecosystem update establishes a unified workflow that connects all stages — from data acquisition to analysis and validation — into a single, continuous system. The new tools create an uninterrupted link between field teams, analysts, and project managers, ensuring data consistency and accelerating decision-making.
Automated setup procedures, standardized data formats, hybrid processing in PIX4Dmatic, cloud-based verification in PIX4Dcloud, and centralized management via Organization Management — together they define a new architecture of collaboration in the field of geospatial technologies.
Futurology is the official distributor of Pix4D software. The brands' products are available through the Futurology dealer network in the United States of America. For more information, please contact [email protected].
