XGRIDS Pro Guide™ / Module 8: LixelStudio

LixelStudio Tools

Reference for every Project Processing setting, coloring option, Special SLAM mode, advanced processing option, and coordinate transformation parameter in LixelStudio. For point cloud editing tools and export formats, see 8.7 LixelStudio Editing and Export.

Section 1

Project Processing Settings

The Project Processing dialog is the primary interface for converting raw scan data into a processed point cloud. It opens after importing raw data into a new project. All configuration decisions below must be set before clicking Start. They cannot be changed after processing begins.

Coordinate system defaults to CGCS2000. Confirm the coordinate system before clicking Start. Processing with the wrong coordinate system produces output that cannot be accurately transformed after the fact, requiring a full reprocessing run.

Device support in LixelStudio. L2 Pro, K2, and K1 are all fully supported for Single Scan, Map Fusion, and all reconstruction options. PortalCam data does not process in LixelStudio; PortalCam scans require LCC Studio.

Core Settings

Setting

Default

Notes

Project Name

User-entered

Used in exported filenames and project references. Use a clear, consistent convention.

Output Coordinate System

CGCS2000

Set before processing. For projects outside China, reconfigure source and target in the Coordinate Transformation panel (see Section 5).

GNSS / RTK

Off

Enable when RTK data is available and valid. Opens the RTK Setting panel for validity review.

SLAM Mode

Robust

See Section 3 for mode selection guidance.

Coloring Mode

Internal cameras

See Section 2 for source selection.

High-Precision Optimization

Off

Enables a stricter optimization pass that improves geometric accuracy on stable, feature-rich scans. Adds processing time. Recommended for projects where dimensional accuracy is the priority deliverable.

RTK Setting Panel

When the GNSS checkbox is enabled and the RTK module is selected, clicking RTK Setting opens a panel showing the validity chart for the RTK data collected during the scan. This chart plots the RTK fix quality against the scan timeline, showing which portions of the scan had Fixed status and which had Float, Single, or no fix.

The RTK valid data count must be greater than 100 to achieve successful coordinate transformation in LixelStudio. If the valid count is below this threshold, process without RTK (uncheck GNSS) or provide GCPs to anchor absolute coordinates. Do not attempt to process with poor RTK data; the result will be a point cloud with incorrect or inconsistent absolute coordinates.

Section 2

Coloring Options

LixelStudio supports two coloring sources. The correct choice depends on whether an external panoramic camera was used during the scan. Selecting the wrong option results in either no color or misaligned color on the point cloud.

Source

When to Use

Internal cameras (default)

Default selection for all current XGRIDS devices. K2 produces real-time true-color rendering during the scan and benefits from photo-realistic coloring. L2 Pro and K1 use their built-in dual 48 MP panoramic cameras.

External panoramic camera

Used only when an external panoramic camera was mounted and recorded during the scan for higher-resolution coloring on L2 Pro or K1. Requires the timelapse recording mode (not normal video) for LixelStudio compatibility. K2's built-in coloring typically eliminates the need for external cameras.

Optimize visual point cloud

Third coloring option available when both internal and external camera data exist. Attempts to blend sources for improved quality. Increases processing time and is not recommended for standard production workflows.

External Camera Requirements

When using external camera coloring, the camera video files must be placed in the external_data subfolder of the project before processing. The external camera must have been started within 5 seconds of the scan start to maintain time synchronization.

Recommended external camera settings for LixelStudio compatibility: timelapse mode (not normal video), 6K resolution, 24 Hz frame rate, automatic exposure, standard color profile. Confirm the recording mode in the field before starting the scan; mode mismatches produce coloring failure during processing.

Photo-realistic coloring. LixelStudio introduces photo-realistic coloring optimization that improves how camera imagery is projected onto the point cloud. The improvement is most visible on textured surfaces and detail areas captured by the K2's real-time true-color sensor and the L2 Pro's high-resolution panoramic cameras.

Section 3

Special SLAM Modes

The Special Mode setting controls how the SLAM solver handles the scan data. The correct mode depends on the scanning environment and how the device was mounted. Using the wrong mode either reduces quality or causes the processing to fail outright.

None

Maximizes mapping accuracy. Assumes a stable device in a clear, feature-rich environment. Will fail if the scan contains intense motion, sensor interference, or poor scene features. Do not use as a first attempt on any scan where conditions were less than ideal.

Robust Mode (Default)

Balances accuracy and success rate. Handles most real-world environments including indoor spaces with some challenging areas. Recommended for the majority of users and projects. Use this as the starting point on any scan that produces an LIO Drift error with None mode.

Narrow Scene

Optimized for long, linear, feature-constrained environments such as tunnels, mine shafts, and extended corridors. Will fail in regular open-plan environments. Only applicable to tunnels or corridors exceeding approximately 1,600 ft (500 m) in length where standard modes produce unresolvable drift.

Vehicle-Mounted

Configured for scans captured from a moving vehicle where the scanner is fixed in place and the motion profile is continuous and smooth. Not for handheld use. Requires the corresponding vehicle mount type selection in the Coloring section. Applicable to L2 Pro and K1; K2 is a handheld-only device and does not support a vehicle-mount configuration.

Drone

Configured for L2 Pro aerial scans on compatible DJI drone platforms (M350 RTK, M300 RTK). The RTK module must be removed for drone use. Requires the Drone mount type in the Coloring section. K2 is a handheld-only device and does not support drone mode. K1 drone use is not officially supported.

Aerial datasets typically show larger absolute errors than handheld projects. Field results suggest several centimeters RMSE compared to 3 cm handheld, but no published XGRIDS specification exists for aerial accuracy. Always validate aerial results against independent check points before using them for design work.

Section 4

Advanced Processing Options

These settings appear in the Advanced Setting section of the Project Processing dialog. Most are disabled by default. Enable them only when the specific scenario described applies.

Option

When to Enable

Behavior

High-Precision Optimization

Project where geometric accuracy is the priority deliverable, scan was stable and feature-rich

Stricter optimization pass that improves geometric accuracy. Adds processing time.

Loop Closure

Scan returned to its starting location (closed loop)

Reduces accumulated drift across the scan. Do not enable if the scan was open-ended without return to start.

Dynamic Object Removal

Vehicle-mounted or busy interior scans where people or vehicles passed through the capture

Detects and removes moving objects from the reconstruction. Also available as a post-processing editing tool (see 8.7).

Cross-Floor Optimization

Multi-story scans with vertical transitions between floors

Improves vertical alignment across floor levels. Use for multi-story interior projects.

Section 5

Coordinate Transformation

The coordinate transformation panel is accessed via the RTK Setting dialog when GNSS is enabled. It configures the source coordinate system (the system used by the RTK receiver during capture) and the target coordinate system (the delivered output coordinate system).

Default System

LixelStudio defaults to CGCS2000 (China Geodetic Coordinate System 2000) as both the source and target ellipsoid. For projects outside China or projects requiring delivery in a different coordinate system, the source and target must be reconfigured before processing.

US projects. For most US deliverables, configure the target to WGS84 with the appropriate projected coordinate system (typically a UTM zone or a state plane coordinate system in US Survey Feet). The source coordinate system depends on the RTK receiver configuration during capture; confirm with the field crew before processing.

Key Configuration Parameters

Parameter

Purpose

Notes

Source Ellipsoid

Coordinate system used by the RTK receiver during capture

Default CGCS2000. Set to WGS84 for most non-China projects.

Target Ellipsoid

Coordinate system of the delivered output

Default CGCS2000. Match to the recipient platform's expected coordinate system (Revit project base, Cesium tileset CRS, GIS receiving project).

Projection

Map projection applied to the target output

UTM zone, state plane, or custom local projection. Required for projected output (most AEC and survey deliverables).

Vertical Datum

Vertical reference for elevation values

Ellipsoid height by default. Configure geoid model (e.g., NAVD88 in the US) if elevations must align to a published geodetic datum.

Translation / Rotation Offset

Manual transformation to align to a local control survey

Used when project control was established with GCPs in a non-standard reference frame. Apply translation X, Y, Z and rotation angles to match.

Coordinate system mismatch is not recoverable without reprocessing. If the wrong target system is selected at processing time, the resulting point cloud has incorrect real-world coordinates. There is no post-processing fix. Reprocess from raw with the correct target configuration.

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