XGRIDS Pro Guide™ / Module 1: Getting Started

Module 1 Quick Field Guide

Everything you need to verify before your first scan. Hardware checks, software setup, scan startup, data transfer, and PortalCam setup in a single reference.

Section 1

Hardware Readiness Checklist

Complete this before leaving for any project. Most first-scan failures trace back to something skipped here.

K1 / L2 Pro
  • Battery charged. Charging time is approximately 2 hours from empty. All four indicator lights on the battery should be solid.
  • Battery seated and locked. Push in until you hear and feel the click. A loose battery disconnects during scanning and corrupts the project.
  • Storage confirmed. K1 uses a TF card (256 GB). L2 Pro has a built-in 1 TB SSD. Budget 60 to 80 GB per hour of scanning. Format storage in the LixelGO app if needed, not in your computer's file explorer.
  • Firmware current. Open LixelGO, connect to the scanner, and check for firmware updates before leaving the office. Do not update firmware on-site without a reliable connection and full battery.
  • Physical inspection. Check the LiDAR window for dust or smudges. Wipe with a soft cloth only. Check camera lenses for the same.
  • RTK module installed (if using RTK). Confirm it is seated firmly and your NTRIP credentials are entered in LixelGO before driving to the site.
PortalCam
  • Battery charged. PortalCam operating time is approximately 60 minutes per charge. Charging to 90% takes about 70 minutes. Plan your scan time accordingly.
  • Storage confirmed. PortalCam has 512 GB of built-in EMMC storage. Confirm available space in the LCC Scan app before scanning.
  • Device button responds. Single press from standby shows solid white LED (USB mode). Double press starts scan (solid green).
  • LCC Scan app installed and connected. PortalCam connects via WiFi or Bluetooth. Confirm the device appears in the app before heading to the site.
  • Firmware current. Battery must be above 50% before starting a firmware update. Do not interrupt a firmware update; it causes device errors that require a factory reset.

Format storage only in the app. Formatting the K1 TF card or PortalCam storage using your computer's file explorer creates a file system the scanner cannot read. Always use the Format Storage option in LixelGO or the LCC Scan app.

Section 2

Software Readiness Checklist

These are one-time setup items, but verify them before your first project and after any operating system or driver update.

Processing Computer
  • LixelStudio installed and activated. Open it at least once and complete activation before going to the field. Request activation codes at xgrids.com/intl/activationrequest using your device serial number. Online activation requires internet access. Offline activation is available for air-gapped machines via xgrids.com/licensefile.
  • LCC Studio installed (if Gaussian Splat output is needed). Requires an NVIDIA GPU with driver version 520.0 or later. Confirm the driver version in Device Manager or NVIDIA Control Panel before expecting it to work.
  • LCC Studio license active. LCC Studio requires a paid subscription. Confirm the license is active in the software. A lapsed license means you cannot process 3DGS output.
  • Storage available on processing computer. Budget approximately 50 GB per project including working files. LixelStudio and LCC Studio both create significant temporary files during processing.
  • RAM sufficient for your scan duration. LixelStudio requires approximately 2 GB of RAM per minute of scan data. 64 GB RAM handles up to approximately 30 minutes of scan. 128 GB handles up to approximately 60 minutes.
Mobile Device (for K1 / L2 Pro)
  • LixelGO installed and signed in. Use your XGRIDS account credentials. The app will not connect to the scanner if you are not signed in.
  • Phone charged. Bring a portable power bank for sessions over 60 minutes. LixelGO with active WiFi and real-time point cloud preview drains the phone battery quickly.
  • WiFi connection to scanner tested. The scanner broadcasts a network named Lixel-XXXX. Connect to it in your phone's WiFi settings before opening LixelGO.
Mobile Device (for PortalCam)
  • LCC Scan app installed and signed in. Use your XGRIDS account credentials.
  • Connection mode selected. PortalCam can connect in WiFi mode or Bluetooth mode. WiFi provides real-time preview. Bluetooth is for environments where WiFi is unreliable. Select your mode before starting a scan.
Section 3

Decisions to Make Before You Scan

These cannot be made or changed after scanning begins. Decide before you leave the office, not at the site.

Decision
What to Decide
Why It Cannot Wait
Output type
Point cloud (LixelStudio) or 3D Gaussian Splat (LCC Studio) or both?
The two pipelines produce different outputs that cannot be converted between each other after processing.
Coordinate system
Local coordinates, RTK, PPK, or GCP-based georeferencing?
RTK must be configured and confirmed Fixed before scanning starts. GCPs must be placed during the scan. Neither can be added after the fact.
Camera coloring
Enabled (colorized point cloud) or disabled (geometry only)?
Camera coloring is configured before scanning in LixelGO. It can cause issues in spaces with rapidly changing light and adds processing time.
Scan segmentation
How will large spaces be split into individual scan sessions?
Overlap zones between sessions must be planned before the scan route is walked, not after a session ends and you realize segments do not connect.
Project naming
Establish naming convention before first scan: ClientName_SiteName_Date_Segment.
Inconsistent naming causes confusion during processing when managing multiple sessions or multi-device projects.
Section 4

First Scan: Step-by-Step

This sequence applies to L2 Pro and K1 using LixelGO. See Section 7 for PortalCam procedure.

Startup Sequence
  • Power on the scanner: press and hold the function key for 4 seconds. Wait for the indicator light to change from slow-flashing blue to solid green (standby).
  • Connect your phone to the Lixel-XXXX WiFi network. Open LixelGO. Confirm the scanner appears and is connected.
  • If using RTK: wait for the RTK module indicator light to turn green and for LixelGO to show RTK status as Fixed. Do not begin scanning with Float status.
  • Create a new project in LixelGO. Enter the project name using your naming convention.
  • Set camera coloring on or off per your pre-scan decision.
  • Choose your initialization location: a feature-rich area with clear geometry visible at multiple distances. Avoid blank walls, smooth floors alone, open outdoor areas with no nearby structure, and areas with significant moving objects such as swaying plants, dense traffic, or crowds.
Initialization
  • Place the scanner on the steel base plate on a flat, stable surface. Keep the LiDAR clear of obstructions. Nothing should block the sensor's line of sight during initialization.
  • Tap Start Scan in LixelGO. A 15-second static initialization countdown begins.
  • Do not move during the 15-second countdown. Any movement corrupts the starting reference frame. Clear all personnel to at least 6 feet (2 meters) from the device before starting.
  • After the countdown completes, hold position for an additional 15 seconds. SLAM is accumulating initial tracking data during this window. The point cloud preview will populate. Moving too early degrades tracking for the entire session.
  • Begin walking slowly. The point cloud should track your movement smoothly. If it jumps or collapses, stop immediately, end the scan, and reinitialize.
During Scanning
  • Walk at approximately 1 meter per second (3 feet per second) in open areas. Slow to 0.5 m/s (1.5 ft/s) in feature-poor areas, corridors, doorways, and turns.
  • Keep the scanner vertical. Tilting more than 20 degrees from vertical degrades SLAM accuracy.
  • Maintain 0.5 to 3 meters from surfaces. Too close misses context. Too far reduces detail.
  • Complete loop closures: return the scanner to areas you have already scanned to give SLAM a reference for drift correction. Do this at the end of each major room or corridor.
  • Monitor the LixelGO preview. If the point cloud looks distorted or is not tracking properly, end the session and investigate before continuing.
  • If marking GCPs: stand still, double tap the function key to mark the point in LixelGO, and enter the exact GCP name as it appears in your CSV file. Names are case-sensitive.
Ending the Scan
  • Walk back to your initialization point or another previously scanned area for a final loop closure before stopping.
  • Tap Stop Scan in LixelGO. Wait for the app to confirm the scan has ended and data is saving.
  • Do not power off the scanner while data is saving. This corrupts the project file and the data is not recoverable.
  • Wait for the indicator light to return to steady green (standby) before powering off or swapping batteries.
Section 5

Data Transfer Checklist

Transfer data before doing anything else with the scanner, including another scan session.

K1 / L2 Pro Transfer
  • Connect the scanner to your computer via USB cable. The L2 Pro uses USB-C. Use a USB 3.0 port for acceptable transfer speeds.
  • The scanner mounts as an external drive. Navigate to the project folder and copy the entire folder to your local SSD. Do not move; copy. Leave the original on the scanner until processing is confirmed.
  • Confirm the copied folder contains all expected files before disconnecting. The project folder should include a scan data file, a trajectory file, and any camera image data if coloring was enabled.
  • Do not delete data from the scanner until you have confirmed successful processing output. Deleting raw data before processing verification means no recovery option if processing fails.
PortalCam Transfer
  • Switch PortalCam to USB mode: from standby, single-press the device button, wait for solid white LED, then single-press again.
  • Connect to computer via USB. The device mounts as external storage. Copy the project folder to your local SSD.
  • Confirm folder contents before disconnecting. PortalCam scan data consists of video files and scan metadata.

Backup before processing. Processing creates a modified version of the project. Always keep a copy of the original raw data. If processing produces a poor result, you can reprocess from the original without re-scanning the site.

Section 6

Indicator Light Quick Reference

L2 Pro / K1 Scanner

LED State
Meaning
Solid green
Standby. Ready to scan.
Slow green flash
Scanning in progress.
Fast green flash
Starting or stopping scan.
Slow blue flash
Starting up.
Solid blue
USB mode (file transfer).
Solid yellow
Device not activated.
Solid white
Mode switching in progress.
Solid red
Critical error. Do not scan.
Red-green alternating
Firmware update in progress. Do not power off.

PortalCam

LED State
Meaning
Off
Device not started.
Solid green
Scanning mode active.
Fast green flash
Starting or stopping scan.
Slow green flash
Scanning mode (secondary state).
Solid white
USB mode (file transfer).
Solid yellow
Device not activated.
Solid red
Critical error.
Red-green alternating
Firmware update in progress. Do not power off.
Section 7

PortalCam Scan Procedure

PortalCam outputs 3D Gaussian Splat data only via LCC Studio. It does not connect to LixelStudio and does not produce point clouds. If your project requires measured deliverables or BIM integration, PortalCam cannot serve that need.

PortalCam Startup and Scan
  • Power on: long press the battery button for 2 seconds. Wait for solid green LED.
  • Open the LCC Scan app and confirm PortalCam appears as connected.
  • Create a new project in the app. Assign a project name using your naming convention.
  • Double-press the device button to start scanning. LED turns solid green. You can also tap Start in the app.
  • Walk at a steady pace of approximately 1 meter per second. Keep the device at a consistent height and orientation. PortalCam uses the same Multi-SLAM system (LiDAR, visual, and IMU) as the L2 Pro and K1, but its visual component is especially sensitive to rapid lighting changes. Consistent lighting throughout the scan produces better results.
  • Complete loop closures: return to previously scanned areas at the end of each room or corridor.
  • Double-press the device button again to stop scanning. Wait for the LED to return to solid green before moving on.
  • Do not power off while the device is saving data after a scan ends. This corrupts the scan file and the data is not recoverable.
Section 8

Critical Warnings and Common Mistakes

  • Data loss Do not power off any scanner while data is saving after a scan ends. The project file is corrupted and cannot be recovered. Wait for the indicator light to return to standby before powering off.
  • Data loss Do not delete raw scan data from the device until processing has produced a verified output. If processing fails after deletion, there is no recovery path and the site must be re-scanned.
  • Warning RTK Float is not acceptable for georeferenced deliverables. Begin scanning only when LixelGO shows RTK Fixed status. Float means the position solution is unreliable and the coordinate data embedded in the scan will not meet accuracy requirements.
  • Warning GCP names in the CSV file must exactly match what you type in LixelGO during scanning. This match is case-sensitive. A mismatch means the control point data cannot be used in processing and the georeferencing will fail.
  • Warning Format device storage only in the app, never in your computer's file explorer. Formatting outside the app creates an incompatible file system that the scanner cannot recognize.
  • Warning Do not start a firmware update with less than 50% battery on the PortalCam. An interrupted firmware update causes device errors that require factory-level recovery.
  • Warning PortalCam produces Gaussian Splat output only. Connecting it to LixelStudio is not possible. Do not plan a project requiring measured deliverables using PortalCam data alone.
  • Warning LCC Studio requires an NVIDIA GPU. AMD and integrated graphics are not supported regardless of processing power. Confirm NVIDIA driver version 520.0 or later before expecting LCC Studio to function.
  • Warning The output pipeline decision cannot be reversed. Decide whether you need a point cloud, a 3D Gaussian Splat, or both before scanning. These are produced from the same raw data, but only if you plan for it before you scan.
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