Pix4D Catch

recording video

Capture ground data

Walk along or around the area of interest. PIX4Dcatch automatically records video frames with position and orientation information.

Track progress with catch

Track progress

Thanks to augmented reality, get live feedback on the covered area and the completeness of the scan with a 3D mesh layer overlayed on the video frame (only on Apple iPad Pro and Apple iPhone 12 Pro equipped with LiDAR sensor).

Pause and continue

Pause and restart

Pause the recording at any time. The augmented reality feedback remains on your device’s screen and shows you which parts have been covered already.

upload images to cloud and inspect models

Finish

Upload the captured images to PIX4Dcloud or export them to PIX4Dmapper to generate accurate and easy to share 3D models and point clouds. Measure distances, areas, and volumes, and perform virtual inspections.

Product Information

PIX4DCATCH FEATURES

Easy capturing

Everyone can get only the data that matters to create ground 3D models, with one tap. Scanning is done with real-time 3D meshing for scene completion feedback.

Actionable data

Unlike a standard video, PIX4Dcatch takes advantage of the GPS and IMU data from the mobile device for the generation of scaled and georeferenced 3D outputs.

Integrated in Pix4D’s ecosystem

As part of Pix4D’s products ecosystem, PIX4Dcatch enables users to expand their business offering, creating ground 3D models within no time.

Telecom

Accurately scan the ground around a tower to give detailed measurements of ground-level obstructions, damage, or low-lying equipment.

Public safety

Document and recreate crime scenes, record evidence, and provide a clear picture for investigators and forensic teams.

Surveying

Create digital surface models, point clouds, 3D models, and true orthomosaics of the terrain.

Construction

Quickly and accurately collect, process, and visualize as-built measurements and 3D models, even in the most demanding conditions.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Pix4D Catch is a free downloadable app.

Supported devices

PIX4Dcatch is available on iOS (above version 13.4.1) and Android (above version 9), but it is optimized for the Apple iPad Pro and Apple iPhone 12 Pro equipped with a LiDAR scanner, giving a live feedback of the scan completion with augmented reality.

FAQ.

What is PIX4Dcatch?

PIX4Dcatch is a mobile application for ground 3D scans from android and iOS devices. PIX4Dcatch allows anyone to easily acquire the right terrestrial data for digitizing the reality around them and turning it into accurate 3D models.

What is the cost of PIX4Dcatch?

PIX4Dcatch is a free application for capturing data. However, you will need a valid PIX4Dcloud or PIX4Dmapper license to upload the dataset to PIX4Dcloud or process the project in PIX4Dmapper.

Where can I download the PIX4Dcatch app?

To download the latest version of PIX4Dcatch, visit the App Store and Play Store.

What is the difference between PIX4Dcapture and PIX4Dcatch?

PIX4Dcapture is the flight planning and image acquisition app for aerial imaging, whereas PIX4Dcatch is a mobile application for ground 3D scans using iOS or Android devices.

Which operating system is supported by PIX4Dcatch?

PIX4Dcatch is currently supported on a device that runs on iOS version 13.4 or higher or on Android version 9 or higher.

Can PIX4Dcatch be used without an Internet connection?

An internet connection is needed every time the application is started for logging into the app. Once the login is complete, the internet connection is not necessary for capturing data.

However, the internet is needed to upload the data to PIX4Dcloud for generating the 3D model.

If using a viDoc RTK rover, you need an internet connection during data capture to stay connected to the NTRIP service.

Does PIX4Dcatch app utilize the LiDAR data (depth data) obtained from the device for processing?

PIX4Dcatch (iOS version) uses the LiDAR to capture the depth information of the surrounding during the image acquisition. The LiDAR points will compensate for the lack of 3D points over reflective and low texture surfaces.

PIX4Dcatch (Android version) doesn’t use depth data while processing.

The option to upload the depth information is only available on the device (Apple iPad Pro 2020, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and other iOS devices) with the LiDAR. While processing the exported project using PIX4Dmapper, the depth information will not be used. So, to use the depth data while processing, the project should be directly uploaded from the PIX4Dcatch app to the PIX4Dcloud.

How does PIX4Dcatch utilize the LiDAR data during image capturing and while processing?

During the image acquisition, the LiDAR sensor has the following benefits:

real-time feedback generated by the LiDAR sensor during capture guides you on the coverage of your area of interest
it also fine-tunes the positioning and pose information that automatically triggers the images
it helps in locating the project in the real world when compared to the device’s internal GPS that only gives a rough estimate.

If you use a LiDAR enabled iOS device, and choose to upload your project with the “Process with depth” enabled, the LiDAR data is used directly in two ways:

To estimate a more accurate scale of the reconstruction and
To fill low texture areas that photogrammetry alone is not able to reconstruct.

It is important to note that visible features are still needed in all the images, even if the LiDAR data is used.

For example, please check out these two projects: project processed without LiDAR and project processed with LiDAR. Notice the holes in the point cloud of the project processed without the LiDAR and see how these holes are filled out in the project processed with the LiDAR. Particularly, in areas that photogrammetry is unable to create “tie points”, it takes the help of the LiDAR data to fill those areas.

How to enable the Compass Calibration service?

To get a more accurate orientation in PIX4Dcatch on iOS, the Compass Calibration must be enabled:

Click on the Settings icon.
Select Privacy.
Select Location Services.
Select System Services.
Turn Compass Calibration ON.

Can I access the raw or native images directly in my app?

Images captured can be accessed by every (logged-in) user. This means that every user with a PIX4D account can export the captured images. Another way to access the images would be by using a PIX4Dcloud license. The images should be first uploaded to PIX4Dcloud and then downloaded.

Can I directly upload images to PIX4Dcloud for processing using the app?

Yes. You can only upload the images to the cloud for processing if you have the PIX4Dcloud or PIX4Dcloud Advanced license.

Can I export images from the app?

Every user with a PIX4D account can export images from the app.

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