PIX4DMatic is now the flag ship solution offered by PIX4D

All capabilities of Mapper are within Matic, with additional capabilities and future development in Matic to help the standard surveyor. This comparison is by 4DS Drone Services, and we provide Training for all PIX4D software solutions including continued support for Mapper as a standalone application many uses prefer to stay with Mapper, when they have the old license format, however for new clients we would always recommend using Matic.

PIX4Dmatic is the next-generation photogrammetry software, ideal for datasets of any size captured with standard RGB cameras. Furthermore, PIX4Dmatic fully supports the terrestrial PIX4Dcatch workflow with LiDAR and RGB image processing, as well as a fusion of both point clouds.

4DS Training provides specific product training to our clients, and this training incorporates live examples of work carried out throughout the UK by 4DS Drone Services. Previously 4DS utilised applications such as DJI Terra, Reality Scan, PIX4D Mapper and Agisoft to complete projects however the PIX4D Matic solution is far easier to learn and faster to use.

For More information on Training courses, contact@4dsdrone.com,

• Online training courses
• ·      1 to 1 Training courses –
• These can be held on TEAMs calls or in person at your offices. 4DS provide Full Access during the training to the full suite of PIX4D Software. With up to 30 Software Licenses for Trainees.
• Follow up calls and support locally in the UK on any issues with processing the first projects.

Comparison

Calibration

Calibration is the first step in processing a dataset and lays the foundation for the following steps. Default settings are provided and are generally the best place to start.

Accurate Geolocation & Orientation in Mapper Vs Trusted Location and Orientation in Matic

Why Trusted Location and Orientation is Better:

·      Reduces Error Accumulation: By treating onboard RTK/PPK data as “trusted” or highly reliable, the software avoids recalculating positions that are already survey-grade. This dramatically reduces model warping or tilt.

·      Streamlines Sensor Fusion: The pipeline is tailored to combine standard RGB images simultaneously with LiDAR data, ensuring that both point clouds align seamlessly without drift.

·      Next-Generation Engine: It avoids the “black box” nature of legacy pipelines while being purpose-built to handle massive datasets with thousands of images without crashing.

Why the Accurate Geolocation Pipeline falls short:

·      Relies on Perfect EXIF Data: PIX4Dmapper’s "Accurate Geolocation and Orientation" assumes flawless exterior orientation angles (Omega, Phi, Kappa). If there are even minor calibration errors in the sensor's IMU, camera alignment, or the lever-arm, calibration frequently fails or produces an inaccurate model.

·      Resource Intensive for Large Jobs: Processing multi-flight or corridor datasets through older pipelines is more time-consuming, as the software struggles to maintain relative accuracy across thousands of images without manual tie points.

Alternative in Mapper Vs Low Texture planar in Matic

Key Advantages over PIX4Dmapper's Alternatives

Reduced Model Bending: In PIX4Dmapper, datasets lacking distinct features frequently suffer from the "doming" or "curving" effect. The PIX4Dmatic pipeline enforces planarity directly during the initial calibration step, actively preventing this geometric distortion.

Fewer Manual Constraints: While PIX4Dmapper requires users to manually draw surfaces (planar constraints) and assign them to the point cloud to fix inaccurate models, PIX4Dmatic's template applies these geometric expectations automatically.

Automated Processing Pipelines: PIX4Dmapper relies on older, legacy methods (such as the "Alternative" calibration method) that often need user tweaking to salvage poor or featureless data. PIX4Dmatic's algorithm is explicitly streamlined for modern RGB nadir imagery to generate a reliable point cloud and orthomosaic on the first pass.

Speed and Scale: PIX4Dmatic processes large-scale datasets and extensive point clouds exponentially faster than PIX4Dmapper—generating DSMs up to 82% faster—without sacrificing survey-grade vertical accuracy.

Test benchmark PIX4Dmatic vs PIX4Dmapper

Calibration and densification steps:

The calibrate step and densify steps are faster in PIX4Dmatic compared to PIX4Dmapper.

DSM and Orthomosaic steps:

PIX4Dmatic generated a DSM 82% faster than PIX4Dmapper, and the orthomosaic generation was successful even for large projects.

Total processing time:

PIX4Dmatic processed a dataset with 5294 images almost 70% faster than PIX4Dmapper.

Survey Software tools

While both applications can perform the standard work required for simple survey projects, 4DS has noted that some of the additional software tools they use on certain projects can be replaced with PIX4DMatic, reducing costs. Additionally as office processing time is a premium for 4DS Drone Services, having faster processing time of the projects is a great benefit for projects.

Tools used for our clients

NIRA – Asset display and management for clients – Pix4D Matic integrates seamlessly with PIX4DCloud, the costs between NIRA and PIX4D Cloud are negligible, with PIX4DCloud having additional benefits such as integration with PIX4DCatch, and PIX4DFields, while these may not initially be required by some surveyors, having the options to integrate at a later date and upgrade, allows for future proofing for new clients and projects.

Note; There are some options within PIX4D Fields not incorporated into PIX4DMatic as yet, however as PIX4DMatic is upgraded regularly with new features this list of differences is being reduced regularly.

Gaussian Splatting

This option is now available for processing in PIX4DMatic. (it was available until recently ONLY in PIX4DCloud online) Creating Videos for clients to view there data, either online (In PIX4DCloud which is recommended to view) or other software providers, 4DS Drone Services has multiple solutions for displaying data, and we support these software tools with different clients, PIX4D Cloud being the preferred solution today, due to simplicity and integration, and also because of the Open Platform of PIX4DCloud.

Sample DATA – Project Processed in PIX4D Matic, output required by Client required TIFF Orthomosaics / DSM / DTM, with surveyor adding overlays of drainage systems. Following completion of the project, the client requested a fly through of the data. Attached is part of that fly through.

https://youtu.be/6j_qZoRh-y4