In modern reality capture projects, the cloud has become a complete working environment, bringing together access to processing results, measurement and annotation tools, mobile documentation of site conditions, and standardized export to GIS environments.
Accordingly, our Swiss partner, Pix4D—a leading developer of professional mapping and photogrammetry software—has summarized the key PIX4Dcloud updates released in 2025.
Among the most significant achievements are a major leap in visualization through georeferenced Gaussian Splatting, from its initial release for terrestrial PIX4Dcatch projects in early 2025 to full drone support later the same year. Additional updates focus on scaling collaboration and improving compatibility with professional GIS and BIM workflows.
Gaussian Splatting for PIX4Dcatch
Gaussian Splatting was developed as an engineering-focused algorithm that combines photorealistic visualization with the positional accuracy required by professional Pix4D users. The generated models remain fully georeferenced while complying with Pix4D's strict accuracy standards.
Within the PIX4Dcatch ecosystem, the technology applies neural rendering to the professional documentation of engineering and infrastructure assets.
Gaussian Splatting for drone projects
During 2025, PIX4Dcloud introduced Gaussian Splatting support for drone datasets, making this visualization approach suitable for large-scale and complex sites while maintaining accurate georeferencing.
Construction and infrastructure teams can now generate a unified 3D representation of an entire site for inspections, progress verification, and collaboration between project stakeholders.
Gaussian Splatting for drone projects in PIX4Dcloud.
Organization Management
One of the most significant operational updates introduced in 2025 is Organization Management. Instead of assigning subscriptions to individual users, licenses are now linked to the organization.
This removes single-user limitations, enables unlimited team members, and allows field crews, office staff, project managers, and external partners to collaborate within a shared workspace using the same project data.
Adding images to annotations
To strengthen collaboration between field and office teams, PIX4Dcloud now allows users to attach photographs directly to annotations using the mobile interface.
Field personnel can open the same project on a smartphone, capture the current site conditions, and instantly add photos to annotations created by office teams.
This field → cloud workflow speeds up verification, improves communication, and significantly reduces the need for repeat site visits.
Attach field photos directly to annotations in PIX4Dcloud.
SLPK export and Annotation Snapping
Another important development area has been tighter integration between photogrammetry, BIM, and GIS workflows.
PIX4Dcloud now supports direct SLPK (Scene Layer Package) export, making it easier to transfer meshes and point clouds into external GIS and digital construction platforms.
The 3D editor also introduces Annotation Snapping, allowing measurements to snap directly to the surfaces of imported DXF and IFC files. These improvements reduce manual errors and improve the reliability of digital deviation analysis.
Export to ArcGIS Online
For ArcGIS users, PIX4Dcloud now includes direct Export to ArcGIS Online integration.
This allows orthomosaics and digital surface models (DSM) generated in PIX4Dcloud Advanced to be transferred directly into the Esri ArcGIS Online environment, eliminating manual file handling and streamlining GIS workflows.
Region of Interest (ROI)
The Region of Interest (ROI) feature enables users to define reconstruction boundaries before processing begins.
By excluding unnecessary surrounding areas, ROI reduces processing time, optimizes credit consumption, and produces cleaner project outputs that require less post-processing.
Define the Region of Interest (ROI) directly within PIX4Dcloud.
2025 highlights
The 2025 PIX4Dcloud retrospective demonstrates a major technological milestone: full integration of Gaussian Splatting for both smartphone-based and drone-based datasets.
This enables highly detailed, photorealistic 3D models that remain fully measurable and geospatially accurate while meeting the precision requirements of professional engineering workflows.
The technology can be tested directly within PIX4Dcloud by uploading a drone project or capturing a site using PIX4Dcatch, then generating a modern Gaussian Splatting model in the cloud.
Futurology is the official distributor of Pix4D software. The brand's products are available through Futurology's dealer network in the United States. For more information, please contact info@futurology.tech.
