Photogrammetry solution provider Pix4D has launched Pix4Dcatch, a new mobile app for georeferenced 3D capture, which is optimized for iOS lidar. This serves to be able to get ground images from iOS devices like iPads and iPhones, which is another sign that drone companies are moving beyond drones.
When lidar sensors on consumer mobile devices became a reality this year — used in both the iPad Pro and certain iPhone models — there were only a few companies that succeeded in getting already developed apps to take advantage of it for the 3D to capture it – even though many expressed interest.
With this new app, users can now use these lidar-enabled mobile devices to create ground-based 3D models. The app records both images from the device camera and its GPS position. Compatible with recent iOS devices, but optimized for the newest iPad Pro and iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max with LiDAR sensors, scanning is done with real-time 3D meshing for scene completion feedback.
Captured images can be automatically uploaded to Pix4D cloud or Pix4Dmapper for a fast generation of scaled and georeferenced 3D models and points clouds that can be measured, shared and exported.
The creation of this app catches the trend of major technology companies that are making companion apps, such as Matterport Capture, or they are making extensions of their software that can work with devices that their users may already have, such as a phone or a tablet, instead of requiring the purchase of specialized, stand-alone devices.
The great advantage is that the new app means that operators can use both ground and aerial images, that is, from manned or unmanned aircraft, to create accurate models within the Pix4D platform.
According to a press release:
“Pix4Dcatch empowers users to easily create ground-based 3D models using an iOS mobile device. No need to be an expert, the user simply scans the area of interest with Pix4Dcatch. The app records pictures along with GPS positions. Compatible with recent iOS devices, but optimized for the newest iPad Pro and iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max with LiDAR sensors, scanning is done with real-time 3D meshing for scene completion feedback. This process of giving live feedback enables a workflow that secures optimal results. Images are then automatically uploaded to Pix4D cloud for a fast generation of scaled and georeferenced 3D models and points clouds that can be measured, shared and exported.”*
In addressing the increasing accessibility of 3D scanning, Christoph Strecha, Founder and CEO of Pix4D, stated:
“Until very recently, capturing accurate ground data for 3D modeling most often required specialized hardware or add-ons, as well as professional expertise. The strength of Pix4Dcatch is allowing anyone using consumer devices to easily acquire the right terrestrial data for digitizing the space around them and turn it into accurate 3D models. It is the missing link in data acquisition and complements Pix4D’s software solutions.
In previous years, drones have become accessible to a big audience. In response, Pix4D innovated to release Pix4Dcapture, a free mobile app that quickly became a reference tool for drone mapping. Today mobile devices are not only high-quality image capturing tools, but are also becoming professional measurement tools, enabling Pix4D to leverage their use to offer end-to-end workflows to our customers.”*
The new app of ix4D is poised to be an expansion of their existing lineup of products.
A license for Pix4D cloud or Pix4Dmapper is required in order to take full advantage of the application’s capabilities.
Future
By launching Pix4Dcatch, a new mobile app for georeferenced 3D capture, which is optimized for iOS lidar, Pix4D makes it possible to get ground images from iOS devices like iPads and iPhones.
Pix4Dcatch empowers users to easily create ground-based 3D models using an iOS mobile device, which simplifies things considerably because there is no need to be an expert since all the user has to do is simply scan the area of interest with Pix4Dcatch as the app records pictures along with GPS positions.
