Terrasolid on Spatix: An Overview Terrasolid, the industry leader in LiDAR and point cloud processing software, historically operated exclusively as an add-on for Bentley Systems' MicroStation. In 2020, they introduced , a lightweight 3D CAD platform developed by GISware Integro
, as a secondary, cost-effective base for their software suite. The Core Concept
Terrasolid applications (TerraScan, TerraModeler, TerraPhoto, and TerraMatch) now run "on top" of either Bentley products or Spatix. For the user, the core Terrasolid functionality remains virtually identical regardless of the underlying platform. Key Benefits of Spatix Cost Efficiency
: Users no longer need to purchase a full Bentley MicroStation license to process LiDAR data, making professional-grade tools more accessible to smaller firms or individual DJI Zenmuse L1 Performance
: Spatix is designed as a "lean" CAD system specifically optimized for 3D spatial data, often resulting in faster load times and smoother navigation for large datasets. Specialized Tools
: It includes native support for stereo-visualization and stereo-vectorization. Functional Comparisons
While the Terrasolid tools are the same, the CAD environment differs: File Formats format for its design files, while Bentley uses Terminology
: There are slight differences in UI terminology. For example, Bentley's "key-in commands" are referred to as (Spatial Accelerators) in Spatix. Workflow Consistency terrasolid spatix
: Standard tasks—like ground classification, trajectory splitting, and noise removal—follow the same wizard-based or manual steps in both environments. Who is it for? UAV Surveyors
: Often bundled as the "Terrasolid UAV" package, it is a primary recommendation for DJI Terra users who need to generate high-quality Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) without the overhead of a full CAD suite. Budget-Conscious Professionals
: Ideal for those whose primary work is within the Terrasolid environment rather than general CAD design. licensing costs between the Spatix and Bentley versions? User Manual - Spatix
In the evolving world of geospatial technology, Terrasolid and Spatix represent a powerful shift toward flexibility and performance in LiDAR data processing. For decades, Terrasolid was known exclusively for its specialized applications like TerraScan and TerraMatch, which operated as add-ons for Bentley Systems' CAD software.
However, the industry's landscape changed around 2020 when Terrasolid introduced Spatix as a new native 64-bit CAD platform designed specifically to host its processing suite. The Role of Spatix
Spatix serves as the foundational "canvas" for Terrasolid's tools. It is a lightweight but robust CAD environment capable of handling massive 3D datasets, including georeferenced point clouds and raster data.
Performance: As a native 64-bit application, it maximizes hardware capabilities to process large-scale spatial data efficiently. Terrasolid on Spatix: An Overview Terrasolid, the industry
File Formats: It uses the .spx file format for projects but maintains compatibility by allowing users to open and exchange common CAD formats like .dgn.
Versatility: It provides standard vector tools for creating and editing 3D geometry alongside specialized toolboxes for managing coordinate setups and raster data. Terrasolid on Top of Spatix
When Terrasolid applications are installed "on top" of Spatix, they activate high-level automation features that are industry standards for LiDAR and photogrammetry professionals. Spatix - Advanced technology for processing spatial data
Terrasolid on Spatix represents a major shift in the LiDAR data processing landscape, offering a high-performance alternative to traditional CAD-based workflows. By porting its industry-leading LiDAR software suite to the Spatix platform, Terrasolid provides a streamlined, cost-effective environment for managing massive point clouds and 3D vector geometry. What is Spatix?
Developed by GISware Integro, Spatix is a lightweight, 64-bit 3D CAD system designed specifically for the GIS, surveying, and mapping communities. It serves as a dedicated platform for Terrasolid applications, allowing users to process spatial data without the overhead or additional licensing costs associated with traditional CAD packages like Bentley MicroStation. Key Features of Spatix:
Small Footprint: A lightweight application that installs quickly and consumes minimal system resources.
Optimised for Huge Datasets: Capable of handling billions of points and large-scale vector files. Occasional LiDAR Users (less than 10 hours/week): The
Stereo Mode Support: Essential for precise 3D feature extraction and quality control.
Native File Format: Uses its own .spx format to store vectors and attributes.
Extensibility: Includes an API ("ixApps") for developing custom CAD applications. The Terrasolid Software Suite on Spatix
The core Terrasolid modules—TerraScan, TerraMatch, TerraPhoto, and TerraModeler—are fully compatible with the Spatix platform. Spatix - Advanced technology for processing spatial data
When you save a point cloud as a Spatix file (.spx), Terrasolid automatically generates an internal spatial index—usually an Octree or Quadtree structure. This index allows the software to instantly ignore points outside the current viewport or selection area. When you pan or zoom, only the relevant points are fetched from the disk. In practical terms, this means real-time rendering of billions of points where LAS files would stutter.
TerraSolid Spatix is not a standalone application like TerraScan or TerraModeler. Instead, it is a software development kit (SDK) and a set of programming libraries (APIs) designed for reading, writing, and manipulating 3D spatial data, with a strong focus on LAS/LAZ (LiDAR) formats and TerraSolid's native binary formats (e.g., .bin). It allows developers to integrate high-performance LiDAR data handling into their own applications, scripts, or workflows without needing the full TerraSolid desktop environment.
In simpler terms: If TerraScan is the word processor for LiDAR, Spatix is the underlying font-rendering and file-saving engine that other programs can borrow.
.bin), which stores not only points but also classification history, triangulation indices, and vector features.