9.4 Aerial-Ground Fusion Processing

What Aerial-Ground Fusion Produces

Aerial-Ground Map Fusion combines ground-level scan data with drone aerial imagery to produce a unified 3DGS model covering both the interior ground-level geometry and the building exterior, roof, and surrounding site. The ground data provides precise interior geometry. The drone imagery provides aerial coverage of areas inaccessible from ground level.

This mode is appropriate for campus facilities, construction sites, heritage documentation, and any project where roof or aerial context is required alongside the interior scan. It is not necessary for interior-only projects regardless of how large they are.

Processing Requirements

Aerial Data Requirements

Aerial imagery for Aerial-Ground Fusion must meet specific format, count, and resolution criteria. Aerial data that does not meet these requirements is rejected by LCC Studio before processing begins.

Processing Procedure

1. Organize your data before opening LCC Studio. Keep ground scan segments in clearly labeled individual folders. Keep drone imagery in a separate folder labeled with a _Drone or _Aerial suffix at the same directory level. For PortalCam projects, keep takeoff and landing point photos in their own clearly labeled folder.
2. Click Create and select Aerial-Ground Map Fusion. This mode is distinct from Map Fusion and Single Model.
3. Add the ground scan data under Ground Data. Add the drone image folder under Aerial Data. For PortalCam, additionally upload the takeoff and landing point photo folder at the corresponding Aerial-Ground Fusion point. LCC Studio reads the fusion point markers embedded in the ground scan to align the aerial imagery.
4. Verify fusion points are detected. LCC Studio displays which fusion points from the ground scan are recognized. A minimum of two to three fusion points must be present and distributed across the site. Points clustered at one end of a large site do not provide adequate geometric constraint across the full model.
5. Configure reconstruction settings. The same quality (Fast / Standard / Slow), Max Gaussian Splats, Portability, Special SLAM Mode, RTK Data, and Exposure Optimization settings apply. Max Gaussian Splats in this mode applies per chunk with auto-adjustment.
6. Start processing and allow the full estimated duration. A 24 to 48 hour run is normal for large sites. Do not interrupt. Schedule this run to complete before any delivery deadline. Closing LCC Studio interrupts the process and the SLAM phase restarts from the beginning when you reopen.
7. Review boundary zones between ground and aerial coverage in the viewer. The transition between ground-level interior geometry and aerial exterior geometry should be seamless at the building envelope. Discontinuities indicate fusion point placement issues from the field collection phase.