The software Lixel Color Studio is at the heart of the workflow of XGRIDS 3D scanners, especially the Lixel Kity and the Lixel L2 Pro. These portable scanners make it possible to capture real environments as digital twins in the shortest possible time - with LiDAR geometry and photo-based data. But how do you get the maximum visual quality out of the captured data?
The answer may lie in a paid add-on: HD enhancement. In this blog post, we analyze the functions and Add-on features from Lixel Color Studio - and explain why maximum image sharpness is not an optional extra for us as an XR agency, but a must.
When scanning, the device generates two data records:
Depending on the environment, the recording usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.
The recorded data is then saved in Lixel Color Studio (also known as "LCC Studio"). There the conversion into a Gaussian splatting-format, optionally as:
In addition, a low-polygon mesh is generated that can be used as a collider or for navigation in real-time applications.
Lixel Color Studio offers some relevant parameters that have an influence on quality and computing time:
A portable 3D scanner like the Lixel Kity K1 is an impressive solution - especially because it delivers a complete 3D scan within a few minutes. However, the integrated 360° camera is limited in terms of image quality. It does not allow manual exposure or focus control. Compared to DSLR cameras or mirrorless system cameras, the result often looks flat or noisy.
In immersive applications such as on the Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3 any blurriness or visual weakness becomes apparent - no "good enough" will do. Users expect a photorealistic display. Soft edges, muddy details or color noise significantly disrupt the experience.
A 3D scan of a high-quality location should also represent it in a high-quality way - just as with architectural photography, sharpness, dynamics and visual depth of detail are decisive for impact and perception. A blurred scan can unintentionally diminish the impression of the location.
We compared all three XGRIDS cameras - both with and without the HD enhancement:
Each camera was tested in two variants:
Result: HD beats hardware
Visual sharpness improves significantly with HD enhancement on all models. Particularly surprising:
One Lixel Kity K1 with HD enhancement delivers a sharper result than a L2 Pro without HD - although the L2 Pro is almost twice as expensive.
Conclusion: It is not the hardware generation, but the use of the HD add-on that is decisive for the picture quality.
HD enhancement does not replace professional photo work. To achieve the improvement, additional:
The workflow is therefore more complex - especially for large scenes - and more closely resembles the classic Photogrammetrybut with more modern reconstruction algorithms. Compared to photogrammetry, the setup remains leaner, but without photographic know-how, the potential of the HD feature is not fully exploited.
Our tests clearly show:
The visual quality depends primarily on the use of the HD enhancements not on the price or model of the hardware.
A favorable Kity K1 with HD even beats a twice as expensive L2 Pro without HD.
For XR applications with visual demands, there is no way around HD enhancement.
Recommendation:
If you want to impress with 3D scans - whether for cultural institutions, tourism, event marketing or digital exhibitions - you should invest in the HD add-on instead of relying solely on the expensive L2 Pro scanners.
Are you interested in the development of virtual reality or 3D scanning? You may still have questions about budget and implementation. Please feel free to contact me.
I am looking forward to you
Clarence Dadson CEO Design4real
