Precise site documentation using PIX4Dcatch with RTK
Yanagi Civil Engineering & Design Co., Ltd is a civil engineering design and registration firm who use digital tools for surveying to improve accuracy and increase productivity. The company has been utilizing Pix4D software for years and has recently incorporated PIX4Dcatch into its property surveying operations. We had the opportunity to speak with Kazuki Yanagi, CEO, about how they use this tool in their work.
Surveying workflow applications with PIX4Dcatch
The firm specializes in site boundary confirmation, a service frequently requested by housing manufacturers and real estate companies. Their work involves flexible surveying methods adapted to the size and purpose of each site. To ensure accuracy, they use a variety of tools, including drones and PIX4Dcatch with an RTK device attached.
1. Surveying small sites (under 300㎡)
They use drones for larger areas, while smaller plots are measured with PIX4Dcatch. Even for expansive sites requiring detailed data, the company merges drone survey data with scans from PIX4Dcatch using PIX4Dmatic. CEO Yanagi confirms that areas up to approximately 300㎡ can be effectively surveyed using only a smartphone and PIX4Dcatch with an RTK device for accuracy. For a 300㎡ land survey, about 530 images were captured, processing on PIX4Dcloud took only 15 minutes.
2. Using GNSS single-point observations for reference points
PIX4Dcatch was used for measurements by attaching a monopod to the RTK rover, allowing coordinates to be captured within 15 seconds. These coordinates serve as reference points for future scans and can be added as ground control points (GCPs) in PIX4Dcatch to enhance both absolute accuracy and 3D reconstruction. Attaching an RTK device to PIX4Dcatch produces georeferenced datasets. This approach improves fieldwork efficiency by offering a fast and straightforward solution
3. Field verification and efficient consultation materials
PIX4Dcatch is also used for field verification when responding to client consultations or preparing materials for discussions with authorities. For quick checks or preliminary surveying, on-site 3D scans are performed on the same day as the client’s request. Data is uploaded to PIX4Dcloud during travel, enabling access to complete digital site data upon returning to the office. The 3D data is also used as consultation materials for government offices, eliminating the need for time-consuming drafting. Sharing cloud links allows clients to visually understand the data.
Digital surveying compared to traditional surveying
Traditional methods like total stations for point-by-point measurements involve manually measuring each point and recording it on a sketch map. This process is prone to risks of unclear records or missing data. With PIX4Dcatch, entire sites can be comprehensively scanned, producing digital representations of sites and ensuring no data is overlooked.
For instance, while traditional methods capture 400–500 points per day, PIX4Dcatch can instantly acquire 10–20 million points. The resulting colored 3D data provides more detailed and complete measurements.
PIX4Dcatch reduced work time by 50% for Yanagi
According to CEO Yanagi, PIX4Dcatch has reduced work time by approximately 50% compared to the traditional methods they were using before. Its lightweight and user-friendly design allows small site surveys and reference point measurements to be conducted efficiently by a single operator, optimizing manpower allocation.
Advantages of PIX4Dcatch
Yanagi chose PIX4Dcatch after comparing it to other products, which used LiDAR without photogrammetry—the combination of these two technologies in PIX4Dcatch was the decisive factor. Photogrammetry enables higher-density point clouds, making mapping easier, while its ability to produce vibrant colored point clouds and perform GNSS single point observations were seen as major advantages.
Key takeaways
- Combination of LiDAR and photogrammetry: enables the creation of high-density, vibrant point clouds, simplifying mapping tasks
- GNSS single point observation: facilitates high-accuracy reference point surveys.
- Detailed data acquisition__: captures colored 3D digital data, instantly acquiring 10–20 million points with no missed details
- Enhanced efficiency: cuts work time by approximately 50% compared to traditional methods, enabling solo operation
- Immediate data utilization: Uploads data to the cloud for immediate use in explanatory materials
- Ease of use: Operates via smartphones and tablets, making it accessible even for beginners
Yanagi highly recommends PIX4Dcatch for those new to 3D surveying. Compared to drones or terrestrial laser scanners, its lower cost and compatibility with smartphones and tablets make it an ideal entry point. By leveraging PIX4Dcloud, users can easily digitize scanned data, unlocking the convenience of 3D surveying.
