Part 2: Getting Started - Your First Scan

Feb 9

Written By Ian Jack

Quick Field Guide

Computer Requirements

LixelStudio Minimum:

CPU: Intel i7 11th gen (6+ cores)
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 (12GB VRAM)
RAM: 64GB DDR4
Storage: 1TB SSD
OS: Windows 10/11 Pro or Home

LCC CyberColor Studio Minimum:

CPU: Intel i7 8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 1700X
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2080Ti (11GB VRAM) or RTX 3060 (12GB)
RAM: 64GB DDR4
Storage: 1TB SSD (mandatory)
OS: Windows 10/11 Pro or Home

Mobile Device (LixelGO):

Android: 8GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 or Dimensity 8000+
iOS: A12 Bionic or later, 4GB+ RAM
Storage: 10GB free space
Features: Bluetooth + Hotspot capability

Learn more about system requirements →

Pre-Field Preparation Checklist

LixelStudio installed and activated
LCC Studio installed (if doing photorealistic models)
LixelGO app installed on mobile device
Sufficient disk space (min. 2x expected data size)
Coordinate system parameters ready (if georeferencing)
Site survey completed (access, hazards, route)
Equipment selected based on project needs
Batteries fully charged (scanner + mobile device)
Control points planned and marked (if using GCP)
RTK/NTRIP credentials obtained (if using RTK)

Learn more about preparation →

Processing Time Estimates

LixelStudio:

Processing time ≈ 20-30x scan duration
5-min scan = 100-150 min processing
Time increases with point cloud enhancement/HD settings

LCC CyberColor Studio:

Processing time ≈ 20 min per 1 min of scan
5-min scan = 80-100 min (medium quality, RTX 3060)

Hardware vs. Scan Duration Limits

64GB RAM: Scans up to ~30 min (LixelStudio)
128GB RAM: Scans up to ~60 min
Longer scans risk out-of-memory failures

Storage Space Planning

Raw Data: Copy from scanner
Processing Workspace: 2-3x raw data size
Output Point Cloud: ≈ raw data size
Safe Total: 50GB per project for complete lifecycle

Battery Management

App drains 15-20% per hour during active scanning
100% battery = ~5-6 hours scanning time
Bring portable power bank for all-day sessions

Common First-Time Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Moving device during initialization countdown
❌ Holding device at extreme tilts during scanning
❌ Following linear paths instead of creating loops
❌ Powering off during fast-flashing save indicator
❌ Processing on computer with insufficient RAM
❌ Control point names not matching coordinate file
❌ Ignoring RTK status indicators during scan

Software Installation Quick Notes

LixelStudio:

Run installer as administrator
Default path: C:\Program Files\XGRIDS\LixelStudio\
~5GB disk space required
3-5 minutes install time

LCC Studio:

Requires NVIDIA GPU (AMD not supported)
Enable "Full Installation" for all features
~15GB disk space for full installation

LixelGO:

Download from App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
Enable Location Services during setup
Grant camera permissions when prompted

Learn more about installation →

Your First Scan - Quick Steps

Power on - Press power button 3 seconds
Connect - iPad WiFi → "Lixel-XXXX"
Open app - Launch LixelGO
Start scan - Tap red record button
Initialize - Place on flat surface, wait 15 sec + 15 sec after
Scan - Walk smooth loops for 5-10 min
Stop - Double-tap power button
Wait - Fast-flashing green = saving (don't power off)
Done - Solid green = safe to power off

Learn more about first scan workflow →

Initialization Critical Steps

Place on flat, stable surface (use steel control point base)
Ensure 360° clear view
Aim toward feature-rich areas (not blank walls)
Maintain complete stability during 15-second countdown
Wait additional 15 seconds after countdown
Poor initialization = problems throughout entire scan

Learn more about initialization →

Active Scanning Technique

Device Position: Hold upright (vertical), tilt <20° data-preserve-html-node="true"
Walking Speed: Smooth, consistent (~1 m/sec)
Distance from Objects: Keep >1 meter away
Route Pattern: Create loops returning to previous areas
Transitions: Slow significantly at doorways/stairs

Learn more about scanning technique →

Full Explanatory Guide

System Requirements Explained

Understanding hardware requirements prevents project failures and ensures optimal performance. The Lixel ecosystem includes three distinct software applications with different computational demands.

LixelStudio Requirements

LixelStudio performs SLAM optimization and point cloud generation, which requires substantial CPU, GPU, and RAM resources. The minimum specifications represent the lowest configuration capable of processing typical scan sessions, not the optimal configuration for professional workflows.

CPU Requirements:
Intel i7 11th generation or equivalent AMD Ryzen 7 5000 series provides the minimum 6-core processing capability. SLAM optimization uses multi-threaded algorithms that benefit directly from core count. 8-core or 12-core processors reduce processing time proportionally. Processing time decreases approximately 30-40% when upgrading from 6-core to 8-core configurations.

GPU Requirements:
NVIDIA RTX 3060 with 12GB VRAM represents the minimum for point cloud visualization and enhancement features. The GPU handles real-time point cloud rendering during project review and accelerates certain filtering operations. VRAM capacity limits the maximum point cloud size displayable without performance degradation. 12GB VRAM supports point clouds up to approximately 100 million points. 24GB VRAM (RTX 3090, RTX 4090) supports point clouds exceeding 200 million points.

AMD GPUs are not officially supported due to CUDA dependency in certain processing algorithms. Some users report successful operation with AMD hardware, but this configuration remains untested and unsupported by XGRIDS technical support.

RAM Requirements:
64GB DDR4 represents the minimum for processing scan sessions up to 30 minutes duration. RAM requirements scale directly with scan duration and point density. The SLAM optimization process holds the entire trajectory and map structure in memory, requiring approximately 2GB RAM per minute of scan duration for standard density scans. Point cloud enhancement features increase RAM requirements by 50-100%.

128GB RAM enables processing of 60-minute scan sessions and provides headroom for point cloud enhancement without memory exhaustion. Professional workflows processing extended scan sessions (60+ minutes) should specify 128GB or 256GB configurations.

Storage Requirements:
1TB SSD provides adequate space for typical project workflows. SSDs provide dramatically faster I/O compared to HDDs, reducing processing time by 20-40% compared to equivalent HDD configurations. The processing workspace requires 2-3x the raw data size for temporary files during SLAM optimization. A 10-minute scan generating 12GB raw data requires 36GB workspace during processing.

Operating System:
Windows 10 or Windows 11 (Pro or Home edition) both function correctly. Linux and macOS are not supported. The software requires Windows-specific libraries and drivers that do not have macOS or Linux equivalents.

LCC CyberColor Studio Requirements

LCC CyberColor Studio performs 3D Gaussian Splatting reconstruction, which has different computational priorities compared to LixelStudio. GPU capability dominates processing performance for 3DGS workflows.

CPU Requirements:
Intel i7 8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 1700X represents the minimum. The CPU handles file I/O, image preprocessing, and orchestrates the GPU-accelerated optimization. CPU performance has less impact on total processing time compared to GPU performance. Upgrading from minimum-spec CPU to high-end CPU typically reduces processing time by only 10-15%.

GPU Requirements:
NVIDIA RTX 2080Ti with 11GB VRAM or RTX 3060 with 12GB VRAM represents the minimum. The 3DGS optimization runs entirely on GPU with CUDA acceleration. Processing time scales inversely with GPU performance—RTX 4090 processes 3-4x faster than RTX 3060 for equivalent projects.

VRAM capacity constrains the maximum Gaussian splat count and reconstruction quality. 11-12GB VRAM supports standard quality reconstructions with 2-4 million splats. 24GB VRAM (RTX 3090, RTX 4090) supports high quality reconstructions with 8-12 million splats. Attempting reconstructions exceeding VRAM capacity causes out-of-memory errors and processing failure.

AMD GPUs are completely unsupported for LCC CyberColor Studio. The 3DGS implementation requires CUDA, which only functions on NVIDIA hardware. No workarounds exist for AMD GPU operation.

RAM Requirements:
64GB DDR4 minimum. RAM requirements are less demanding than LixelStudio because 3DGS processing occurs primarily on GPU with limited system memory usage. 64GB suffices for projects up to 60 minutes scan duration.

Storage Requirements:
1TB SSD mandatory—HDD configurations will fail or produce unacceptably slow processing. The 3DGS optimization performs intensive random I/O on intermediate files during convergence. SSD I/O performance impacts total processing time significantly. NVMe SSDs reduce processing time by 15-25% compared to SATA SSDs.

Operating System:
Windows 10 or Windows 11 (Pro or Home edition). Linux and macOS are not supported.

Mobile Device Requirements

LixelGO controls the scanner and displays real-time point cloud preview during data collection. The mobile device must handle continuous Bluetooth or WiFi communication, real-time 3D rendering, and local data caching.

Android Requirements:
Minimum 8GB RAM. Snapdragon 8 series processors (Snapdragon 865 or later) or MediaTek Dimensity 8000+ series provide adequate CPU and GPU performance for real-time point cloud preview rendering. Devices with 6GB RAM or lower-tier processors may exhibit lag during preview updates or connection instability during extended scans.

Android 10 or later required. Earlier Android versions lack required Bluetooth Low Energy features and may have WiFi compatibility issues with the Lixel scanner.

iOS Requirements:
A12 Bionic chip or later (iPhone XS/XR or later, iPad Air 3rd gen or later, iPad mini 5th gen or later). 4GB+ RAM recommended though some 3GB RAM devices function adequately. The A12 Bionic provides Apple's first generation of Neural Engine, which accelerates certain preview rendering operations.

iOS 14.0 minimum, iOS 17.5 or later strongly recommended. iOS 17.5 includes Bluetooth stability improvements that reduce connection drops during extended scanning sessions.

Storage Requirements:
10GB free space minimum. LixelGO caches scan metadata and preview meshes locally during collection. A 60-minute scan session generates approximately 2-3GB cached preview data. The app requires periodic cache clearing to prevent storage exhaustion on extended multi-day projects.

Connectivity Requirements:
Bluetooth 5.0 or later for L2 Pro communication. WiFi 5 (802.11ac) or later for high-bandwidth data transfer. The device must support simultaneous WiFi connection to the scanner while maintaining cellular data or hotspot connection for RTK/NTRIP services.

Personal hotspot capability required when using RTK with NTRIP corrections. The scanner connects to the mobile device WiFi, and the mobile device provides internet access to the scanner through cellular data hotspot. Devices without hotspot capability cannot support RTK/NTRIP workflows.

Pre-Field Preparation

Thorough preparation prevents collection failures and ensures data meets project requirements. Pre-field preparation divides into software setup, hardware verification, site planning, and project configuration.

Software Installation and Licensing

LixelStudio installation requires local administrator rights on the Windows PC. Download the installer from the XGRIDS customer portal using the credentials provided with hardware purchase. The installer file size is approximately 2.8GB. Run the installer as administrator by right-clicking the .exe file and selecting "Run as administrator."

Accept the license agreement and select the installation path. The default path C:\Program Files\XGRIDS\LixelStudio\ works for most installations. Custom paths are permissible but must not contain spaces or non-ASCII characters to prevent potential processing errors.

The installer automatically creates desktop shortcuts and registers required file associations for .lxp (LixelStudio project) and .lcc (LCC model) formats. Installation completes in 3-5 minutes on standard SSD configurations.

Launch LixelStudio after installation to perform initial activation. The activation dialog requests the license key provided with hardware purchase. The license key is device-locked to the specific computer and permits operation on that machine only. Enterprise licenses supporting multiple machines are available through XGRIDS sales.

Online activation requires internet connectivity during the activation process. The software contacts XGRIDS license servers to validate the key and machine fingerprint. Offline activation is available for air-gapped computers through a manual activation workflow documented in the installation guide.

LCC CyberColor Studio installation follows a similar process. The installer file size is approximately 8.5GB due to included reconstruction models and libraries. Select "Full Installation" during setup to install all rendering backends and export format support. Minimal installation omits certain export formats and may cause errors when attempting to export USDZ or 3D Tiles formats.

The LCC Studio installer requires NVIDIA GPU drivers version 520.0 or later. The installer will detect outdated drivers and prompt for driver update before proceeding. Update drivers through NVIDIA GeForce Experience or download directly from NVIDIA's website before attempting LCC Studio installation.

LixelGO mobile app installation requires access to Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Search for "LixelGO" in the app store and install the official XGRIDS application. Verify the publisher is listed as "XGRIDS Technology Co., Ltd" to avoid unofficial applications.

First launch of LixelGO requests permissions for Location Services, Camera, and Bluetooth. Grant all permissions to enable full functionality. Location Services permission is required even for indoor scanning without GPS because iOS and Android use location API for Bluetooth scanning. Denying location permission prevents the app from discovering the Lixel scanner.

The app prompts for login credentials on first launch. Use the same customer portal credentials used to download LixelStudio. The app synchronizes project metadata and update availability through the cloud service.

Hardware Preparation and Testing

Scanner battery verification ensures adequate runtime for planned scan duration. The L2 Pro battery provides 4-6 hours runtime depending on LiDAR configuration and RTK module usage. The K1 battery provides 3-4 hours runtime. Runtime decreases approximately 20% in cold weather (below 10°C).

Charge batteries fully the night before fieldwork. The charging indicator on the scanner glows red during charging and turns green when full. Charging from empty to full requires 3-4 hours. Partial charges are permissible but plan runtime accordingly.

Backup batteries are recommended for all-day scanning sessions. The L2 Pro uses a proprietary battery pack available from XGRIDS. The K1 uses a standardized battery compatible with certain third-party options. Verify compatibility before purchasing third-party batteries to avoid damage to the scanner.

Mobile device battery drains at 15-20% per hour during active scanning due to continuous Bluetooth/WiFi communication and real-time rendering. A device at 100% charge provides approximately 5-6 hours scanning time. Bring a portable power bank (minimum 10,000 mAh capacity) for extended sessions. USB-C power banks with Power Delivery support charge modern devices faster during brief breaks.

Storage verification ensures adequate space for project data. The scanner internal storage is 256GB (L2 Pro) or 128GB (K1). Check available storage through LixelGO project management screen before departing for the field. Each hour of scanning generates approximately 60-80GB raw data. Plan to download and clear scanner storage after every 2-3 hours of accumulated scanning.

Connect the scanner to the computer and copy project folders to local storage for processing. The scanner appears as a USB mass storage device when connected via USB-C cable. Navigate to the internal storage and copy entire project folders (containing timestamp-named directories) to the processing computer. Verify successful copy by checking folder size matches source before deleting data from scanner.

RTK module testing (if using RTK georeferencing) should occur before departing for the field. Install the RTK module on the scanner and power on. Configure NTRIP connection parameters through LixelGO settings. Enter the NTRIP caster URL, port, username, password, and mountpoint exactly as provided by the NTRIP service.

Test the connection from the planned work area. The RTK indicator light should transition through red (no GNSS lock) to blue (GNSS lock without corrections) to green (GNSS lock with corrections, fixed solution) within 1-3 minutes in areas with good satellite visibility. If the indicator remains red or blue after 5 minutes, troubleshoot NTRIP credentials or cellular connectivity before attempting project work.

Verify absolute coordinate output by performing a brief test scan at a location with known coordinates. Process the test scan with RTK coordinate transformation and compare output coordinates to known values. Discrepancies exceeding 10cm indicate configuration errors requiring correction.

Site Planning and Route Design

Site reconnaissance identifies obstacles, hazards, and data collection constraints. Walk the entire area planned for scanning. Note areas with GNSS obstruction (buildings, heavy tree cover, underground sections) that may prevent RTK operation. Identify hazards requiring safety procedures (active construction, electrical equipment, unstable surfaces).

Map the general route you will walk during scanning. Effective routes create loops that return to previously scanned areas rather than following linear out-and-back paths. Loop closure enables the SLAM algorithm to detect and correct accumulated drift errors. Plan to revisit the initialization area at least once during the scan session for optimal accuracy.

Identify critical features requiring special attention. Doorways and stairways require slower movement to ensure adequate overlap. Reflective surfaces (glass, polished metal) may cause LiDAR measurement errors requiring oblique approach angles. Moving objects (people, vehicles) should be avoided during scanning or captured with sufficient redundancy that processing can filter them.

Control point planning (if using GCP georeferencing) determines marker locations and surveying requirements. Control points should surround the scan area in three-dimensional distribution rather than forming linear or planar arrangements. Minimum recommended spacing is 30 meters between points. Maximum recommended spacing is 100 meters.

Select marker locations that are visible from the planned scan path and will not be obstructed during scanning. Markers must remain stable throughout the scanning period—do not use temporary markers that might shift. Permanent markers (survey bolts, painted corners, steel plates) provide best reliability.

Survey marker coordinates using appropriate methods for project accuracy requirements. Total station or RTK GPS surveying provides centimeter-level accuracy. Handheld GPS provides meter-level accuracy sufficient for visualization projects but inadequate for engineering documentation.

Prepare the coordinate file in CSV format with columns for point name, northing/X, easting/Y, and elevation/Z. The point names in this file must exactly match the names you will enter in LixelGO during control point marking. Save the coordinate file on the processing computer for import during LixelStudio processing.

Software Installation

Detailed installation procedures ensure proper configuration and prevent common setup errors.

LixelStudio Installation Procedure

Download the LixelStudio installer from the XGRIDS customer portal. Login credentials are provided via email after hardware purchase. The installer filename follows the pattern LixelStudio_v[version]_Setup.exe (for example, LixelStudio_v2.3.1_Setup.exe).

Verify the installer file integrity by checking the SHA-256 hash against the value published on the download page. Windows PowerShell command: Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 installer.exe. This verification prevents installation from corrupted downloads or modified files.

Close all running applications before starting installation. Some antivirus software may flag the installer as suspicious due to low prevalence. Add an exception or temporarily disable antivirus during installation if blocked. XGRIDS installers are code-signed with valid certificates and do not contain malware.

Right-click the installer file and select "Run as administrator." User Account Control will prompt for elevation. Accept the elevation to proceed.

The installer welcome screen displays the version number and build date. Verify this matches the version you intended to download. Click Next to continue.

Accept the End User License Agreement after reading. The EULA includes important provisions regarding data privacy, export restrictions, and warranty limitations.

Select the installation directory. The default C:\Program Files\XGRIDS\LixelStudio\ is recommended. Custom directories are supported but avoid:

Paths with spaces (may cause issues in processing scripts)
Paths with non-ASCII characters (international characters may break certain modules)
Network drives (dramatically slower than local storage)
Removable drives (installation will fail if drive disconnects)

Select Start Menu folder name (default: XGRIDS) or disable Start Menu shortcuts if preferred. Click Install to begin file extraction and registration.

The installation progress bar tracks file extraction, registry updates, and shortcut creation. Installation typically completes in 3-5 minutes on SSD configurations, up to 10 minutes on HDD configurations.

The final screen offers to launch LixelStudio immediately. Leave this checked to proceed directly to activation. Click Finish.

LixelStudio launches and displays the activation dialog. Enter the license key exactly as provided (including hyphens). The license key is case-sensitive. Click Activate.

The software contacts XGRIDS license servers for validation. This requires internet connectivity. The activation process transmits the license key and machine fingerprint (hardware-based identifier) to verify the key has not been activated on other machines.

Successful activation displays "License activated successfully" and proceeds to the main application window. The license status appears in Help → About showing the license type, activation date, and machine ID.

Failed activation displays an error message indicating the cause:

"License key already activated on another machine" - contact XGRIDS support for license transfer
"Invalid license key" - verify the key was entered correctly
"Unable to contact license server" - check internet connectivity and firewall settings

For air-gapped installations requiring offline activation, contact XGRIDS support with the machine ID displayed in the activation dialog. Support will generate an offline activation file you can import through File → License → Import Offline Activation.

LCC CyberColor Studio Installation Procedure

Download the LCC CyberColor Studio installer from the customer portal. The installer filename follows the pattern LCC_CyberColor_Studio_v[version]_Setup.exe. File size is approximately 8.5GB due to included reconstruction models and rendering engines.

Verify minimum GPU driver version before installation. Open NVIDIA Control Panel and navigate to System Information. The driver version appears in the lower left. Minimum required: 520.0. Update through GeForce Experience or download from nvidia.com/drivers if current version is older.

Run the installer as administrator following the same procedure as LixelStudio installation.

The installation wizard includes an additional component selection screen. Two installation modes:

Full Installation (recommended, 15GB disk space) - includes all rendering backends, export formats, and example projects
Minimal Installation (8GB disk space) - core functionality only, omits USDZ export, 3D Tiles export, and example projects

Select Full Installation unless disk space is severely constrained. Export format limitations in Minimal Installation may prevent delivery of required formats for certain projects.

The installer automatically detects the NVIDIA GPU and selects appropriate CUDA libraries. No manual CUDA installation is required—the installer includes matched CUDA runtime and cuDNN libraries.

Installation completes in 5-10 minutes. Launch LCC Studio and activate using the same license key as LixelStudio. The license key activates both applications.

The first launch triggers one-time compilation of CUDA kernels optimized for your specific GPU model. This compilation takes 2-5 minutes and produces optimized binaries stored in C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\XGRIDS\LCC\cache. This directory grows to approximately 2-3GB after processing several projects. Do not delete this cache directory—kernel recompilation would be required.

LixelGO Mobile App Installation and Configuration

iOS Installation:
Open the Apple App Store on iPhone or iPad. Search for "LixelGO" in the search field. The official app listing shows XGRIDS Technology Co., Ltd as the publisher. Verify the publisher to avoid unofficial applications.

Tap Get or the cloud download icon to install. The app size is approximately 250MB. Installation requires iOS 14.0 minimum, iOS 17.5 or later strongly recommended.

Launch LixelGO after installation completes. The app requests three permissions on first launch:

Location Services - Required for scanner Bluetooth discovery and GPS coordinate capture. Selecting "Allow While Using App" is sufficient for normal operation. "Always" permission is unnecessary.
Camera - Required for AR features and future updates. Select "Allow" for full functionality.
Bluetooth - Required for L2 Pro scanner communication. Select "Allow."

The app then displays the login screen. Enter the customer portal credentials (email and password) provided after hardware purchase. Tap Sign In.

Successful login displays the main project list screen (initially empty until first scan). The settings icon (gear icon in top right) provides access to connection configuration, RTK parameters, and app preferences.

Android Installation:
Open Google Play Store. Search for "LixelGO" in the search field. Verify the listing shows XGRIDS Technology Co., Ltd as the developer.

Tap Install. The app size is approximately 280MB. Installation requires Android 10 or later.

Launch LixelGO after installation. Grant permissions when prompted:

Location - Select "Allow all the time" or "Allow only while using the app." Location permission is required for Bluetooth scanning even when GPS is not used.
Camera - Select "Allow."
Nearby devices (Android 12+) - Select "Allow" for Bluetooth scanner discovery.

Enter login credentials at the sign-in screen. Proceed to main project list.

Initial Configuration:
Navigate to Settings (gear icon). Review and configure:

Scanner Connection - Default mode is WiFi for L2 Pro, Bluetooth for K1. Change only if directed by XGRIDS support.
Units - Select Metric or Imperial for distance display in preview. Does not affect output coordinates.
RTK Settings (if using RTK) - Enter NTRIP caster URL, port, username, password, mountpoint. Save configuration for reuse across projects.
Point Cloud Preview Quality - Default is Medium. Increase to High for better visual quality at cost of slower preview updates. Decrease to Low for older devices experiencing lag.

Test scanner connection before fieldwork. Power on the scanner and wait for WiFi indicator. Open LixelGO and tap Scan. The app should discover the scanner within 10-15 seconds and display "Connected" status. Successful connection confirms the complete workflow is operational.

Your First Scan - Step by Step

Executing a first practice scan in a controlled environment builds operational confidence and reveals workflow timing without project pressure. Select an indoor space approximately 50-100 square meters (a large room, office area, or residential floor) for initial practice.

Preparing the Practice Environment

Choose a location with structured features visible from multiple viewpoints. Furnished rooms work well—the furniture provides geometry for SLAM tracking. Empty rooms with plain walls work poorly for initial practice because feature scarcity increases the likelihood of tracking failure. Parking garages, warehouses, and similar feature-poor environments should be avoided for first scans.

Clear obstacles from your planned walking path. The practice scan should focus on learning device handling and timing without navigating hazardous obstacles. Remove any objects you might trip over during backward walking or while watching the mobile device screen.

Identify a stable initialization position near one end of the space. The initialization surface should be level (not on stairs or ramps), stable (not on movable furniture), and provide clear view of surrounding features (not facing a blank wall at close range).

Gather required equipment: charged scanner, charged mobile device with LixelGO installed, steel control point base (included with scanner), and sufficient clear space to walk comfortably for 10 minutes.

Device Initialization Explained

Power on the scanner by pressing and holding the power button for 3 seconds. Release when the indicator light illuminates. The device performs internal initialization for approximately 20-30 seconds. The LiDAR begins spinning and the indicator light transitions from red to solid green when ready for scanning.

On the mobile device, navigate to WiFi settings (iOS: Settings → WiFi; Android: Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi). Wait for the scanner network to appear in available networks. The network name follows the pattern "Lixel-XXXX" where XXXX is the last 4 digits of the scanner serial number. This network appears only after the scanner completes internal initialization and the indicator shows solid green.

Connect to the Lixel-XXXX network. The mobile device may display "Internet may not be available" or similar warning. This is expected—the scanner network provides local communication only, not internet access. Select "Connect anyway" or similar option to proceed.

Return to the home screen and launch LixelGO. The app automatically detects the scanner connection and displays "Connected" status in the top bar. If connection fails after 30 seconds, return to WiFi settings and verify connection to the Lixel-XXXX network. Force-close LixelGO and relaunch if necessary.

Place the scanner on the ground using the steel control point base. The base provides stable support and positions the scanner at correct height for initialization. The LiDAR assembly should be upright and centered over the base. The mobile device mount should face forward (toward the direction you will begin walking).

Critical initialization requirements:

Stable positioning: The scanner must remain completely motionless during initialization. Any movement corrupts the starting reference frame and introduces errors throughout the entire scan. Unstable surfaces cause initialization failure even without deliberate movement—avoid soft ground, flexible flooring, or surfaces subject to vibration.

Feature visibility: The scanner must see structured features in all directions during initialization. The LiDAR has 360-degree horizontal coverage but limited vertical coverage. Features should appear at distances between 2 and 15 meters for optimal initialization. Objects closer than 1 meter may exceed the LiDAR minimum range. Objects farther than 20 meters reduce initialization accuracy.

Empty spaces with features only at extreme distances produce poor initialization. Blank walls at close range provide insufficient geometry. Optimal initialization occurs when the scanner is positioned in the center of a furnished area with walls, furniture, and equipment distributed around the perimeter at 3-10 meter distances.

Clear vertical field of view: Do not position the scanner under low ceilings (below 2 meters height), low furniture, or equipment that obstructs the upward-looking LiDAR beams. The scanner captures floor, walls, and ceiling simultaneously during initialization. Obstruction of any component degrades quality.

Minimal occlusion: People should step back at least 2 meters from the scanner during initialization to avoid blocking LiDAR beams. Moving people cause initialization failure—ensure all personnel are stationary during the 15-second countdown. Animals and machinery should similarly be kept clear of the scanner's immediate vicinity during initialization.

Selecting Initialization Position

Walk the practice space and evaluate potential initialization positions. Optimal locations:

Center of the room or space (not in corners)
Surrounded by structured features at 3-10 meter distances
Clear view to floor, walls, and ceiling
Level, stable surface (concrete, tile, hardwood)
Positioned where you can stand comfortably without obstructions during the 30-second initialization period

Poor initialization positions to avoid:

Corners or against walls (limited feature visibility)
Under low ceilings or furniture (vertical occlusion)
On soft surfaces (carpet, mats) that compress under weight
In empty spaces with features only at extreme distances
Near blank walls or feature-poor surfaces
On stairs, ramps, or unstable surfaces
In areas with excessive moving objects

Place the steel control point base at the selected position. Position the scanner on the base with LiDAR assembly centered and upright. Verify the mobile device mount faces the direction you plan to begin walking.

Clear the immediate area around the scanner. People should step back to at least 2 meters distance. No obstructions should block the scanner's view to surrounding features. The scanner needs 360-degree unobstructed view during initialization.

Verify the distance to nearest visible features. Optimal initialization occurs with structured features at 2-10 meters distance. Features closer than 1 meter may be outside LiDAR minimum range. Features farther than 20 meters reduce initialization accuracy. If the initialization position places you in an empty space with features only at extreme distances, relocate to a position with better feature proximity.

Starting the Scan Session and Movement

Tap "Go" in LixelGO to enter the scanning interface. The screen displays a large central area for point cloud preview, buttons on the left for render mode and control point mode, and a large red record button on the right.

Tap the red record button to initiate the scan. Enter a project name in the dialog (example: "Practice-Scan-[Date]"). Tap confirmation to begin recording.

The scanner indicator light changes from solid green to fast-flashing green, then to slow-flashing green as LiDAR begins rotating. LixelGO displays "Static initialization started" and begins the 15-second countdown.

Critical requirement during countdown: Do not move the scanner. Do not touch the scanner except for gentle stabilization if absolutely necessary to prevent tipping. Any movement during initialization corrupts the reference frame and introduces errors throughout the scan.

If gentle stabilization is required (on slightly uneven surfaces), grip only the battery and control point base with minimal pressure. Avoid gripping the device body or LiDAR assembly. Do not apply rotational forces. The goal is preventing the device from tipping or sliding, not actively holding it in position.

Watch the countdown decrement from 15 to 0. When reaching 0, LixelGO displays "Static initialization complete." Do not immediately begin moving—wait an additional 15 seconds.

This post-initialization dwell period allows SLAM to accumulate sufficient point cloud data and establish tracking stability. The point cloud preview populates during this period, showing the environment as colored dots with elevation-based coloring (blues = lower, reds = higher).

After the 15-second post-initialization dwell, begin movement slowly. Lift the scanner from the control point base using both hands—one on the battery, the other supporting the body or stabilizing the phone mount. Bring to normal handheld position at chest to shoulder height.

Initial movement should be slow and deliberate for the first 10-15 seconds. Walk at approximately half normal pace while SLAM establishes tracking confidence with the device in motion. After 10-15 seconds of successful tracking, increase to normal walking speed (~1 meter per second).

Device orientation during walking: Maintain the scanner in vertical orientation. The device should remain perpendicular to the ground with minimal tilting. Acceptable tilt during normal walking should remain under 20 degrees from vertical. LixelGO displays a real-time posture indicator showing current device tilt. Tilt exceeding 20 degrees triggers an on-screen warning.

Hold the scanner in front of your body during straight-line walking. Front-of-body positioning provides better forward visibility and reduces body occlusion in panoramic camera views. Exception: In narrow corridors under 2 meters width, holding the scanner to the side (left or right) improves coverage by allowing LiDAR to capture both near and far walls simultaneously.

Walking speed: Approximate normal walking pace of ~1 meter per second (3.6 km/h). Faster walking increases risk of camera motion blur and reduces point density. Slower walking improves data quality but extends scan duration. In feature-rich areas (furnished rooms, detailed architecture), normal pace provides adequate density. In feature-poor areas (empty warehouses, plain corridors), reduce to ~0.5 m/sec to improve point accumulation.

Rotational movement: Smooth and gradual rather than rapid twisting. The IMU can track smooth rotations accurately, but violent twisting exceeds measurement range and introduces trajectory gaps. When turning corners, rotate your body smoothly over 1-2 seconds rather than snapping to the new direction instantly. Pivot your entire body rather than rotating only your arms while holding the scanner.

Monitor the point cloud preview in LixelGO as you walk. The preview updates at ~1 frame per second showing accumulated point cloud with elevation coloring. Gaps in the preview indicate areas lacking LiDAR coverage. If you notice significant gaps, slow down or retrace the area to fill the gaps.

Device positioning relative to obstacles: Maintain minimum clearance. Keep the scanner at least 0.5 meters from walls, equipment, and obstacles during normal walking. Closer approach is permissible when specifically scanning detailed features, but sustained close-range operation reduces LiDAR field of view and may degrade SLAM tracking.

Completing the First Scan

For this initial practice scan, plan to walk for approximately 5-10 minutes covering the entire space. Create loops by walking around the perimeter, then crisscrossing through the interior. Loop closure (returning to previously scanned areas) helps SLAM detect and correct accumulated drift errors.

Return to the vicinity of the initialization position before stopping. Walking back to the start point creates a complete loop that strengthens the SLAM solution. Position yourself within 5-10 meters of the initialization location before proceeding to stop.

Double-tap the power button on the scanner to stop the scan. The double-tap requires 2 rapid button presses with less than 500 milliseconds between presses. The indicator light changes from slow-flashing green to fast-flashing green, indicating the save process has begun.

Critical requirement during save: Do not press the power button or remove the battery while the fast-flashing green indicator displays. The fast-flash pattern indicates buffered data is writing to storage and the session is closing. Interrupting this process corrupts the scan data and may render the entire session unrecoverable.

Save process duration varies from 5 seconds for brief scans to 60 seconds for extended sessions, depending on data volume. For a 5-minute practice scan, expect approximately 10-15 seconds of fast-flashing save indicator. For a 10-minute scan, expect approximately 20-30 seconds.

Wait for the indicator light to transition from fast-flashing green to solid green. The solid green indicator confirms save completion and the device has returned to standby mode. LiDAR stops rotating and audible motor noise ceases. LixelGO displays a message confirming the scan stopped and saved successfully.

The completed scan now resides in device storage and is ready for download to computer for processing. The scan remains accessible for review or deletion through LixelGO project management.

Post-Scan Review and Learning Points

Navigate to the project list in LixelGO by tapping "Projects" in the main menu. The project list displays all scans stored on the device including the just-completed practice scan. Each entry shows project name, scan duration, file size, and capture timestamp.

Tap the project entry to view details. The detail screen displays scan duration, file size, captured control points (if any), and options to download scan data or delete the project. For this first practice scan, review the scan duration and file size to develop intuition for data volume relative to scan time.

A 5-minute scan typically generates 3-5 GB raw data. A 10-minute scan typically generates 6-10 GB.

Key learning points from the first scan:

Developing feel for proper walking speed
Recognizing device tilt tolerance and when posture warning appears
Understanding point cloud preview update rate and how to interpret coverage gaps
Experiencing initialization and save timing requirements
Confirming the overall workflow from power-on through scan completion

Common first-time user mistakes:

Moving during the 15-second initialization countdown
Insufficient post-initialization dwell before beginning movement
Walking too fast during initial movement causing SLAM tracking loss
Excessive device tilting triggering frequent posture warnings
Premature power-off during save process corrupting data
Poor initialization position selection with inadequate feature visibility

Addressing these mistakes in a practice environment rather than during critical project work builds operational competence and confidence. Execute 2-3 additional practice scans in different environments (outdoor area, furnished room, corridor) to develop consistent technique before attempting project work.

Ian Jack