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Processing quality and GSD

Alongside the outputs, you choose a quality level. It controls the resolution of the result and how long the job takes.

What GSD means​

GSD, ground sample distance, is how much real-world ground one pixel of the finished map covers.

  • A GSD of 5 cm per pixel means each pixel represents a 5 by 5 cm square on the ground.
  • A smaller number means finer detail.
  • GSD depends on flight altitude and camera resolution. Fly lower, get a smaller GSD.

The three levels​

Quality dropdown with Low max 8 cm per pixel, Medium max 5 cm per pixel and High max resolution, next to the Start processing button

The level sits next to the Start processing button, so it is the last thing you set before the job runs.

The levels work as upper limits, not as fixed values. The whole project is processed at the chosen level, but never coarser than the cap.

  • Low (max 8 cm/px). The fastest option, good for a quick overview or a large site where the general picture is enough.
  • Medium (max 5 cm/px). The default, and the balanced choice for site documentation, measurement and most client work.
  • High (max. resolution). No cap. The system processes at the best resolution your images actually contain by default. Plus and Pro users can also set a custom target GSD.
Good to know

High resolution processing is available on the Plus and Pro plans. Low and medium work on every plan. See pricing.

Set a custom target GSD​

On the Plus and Pro plans, selecting High (max. resolution) also lets you enter a specific target resolution in cm/px instead of using the maximum available detail. This is useful when your client contract specifies a GSD, such as 2.5 cm/px, and you want to set that value for processing.

  1. Select High (max. resolution) in the quality dropdown.
  2. Click the pencil icon next to the quality setting.
High maximum resolution selected with a pencil icon for setting a custom target GSD
  1. In Set target resolution, enter the required value in Target resolution (cm/px).
  2. Check the minimum allowed value shown below the field, then select Save.
  3. Select Start processing to run the project with your chosen target.
Set target resolution dialog with a custom GSD field, a minimum of 2.61 cm per pixel for this dataset, and Save button

The source images set the limit​

A smaller GSD number means finer resolution. You cannot request a value below the minimum supported by your uploaded images and plan, shown in the dialog. For example, if your images support 2 cm/px, you can choose 2.5 cm/px. If the displayed minimum is 2.61 cm/px, as in the screenshot, 2.5 cm/px is too fine for that dataset.

The setting controls the target pixel size, it cannot create detail that was not captured during the flight. Check the quality check results before choosing a target. GSD describes resolution, it does not by itself guarantee positional accuracy.

Picking a level​

  • Resolution cannot exceed what the flight captured. The quality check estimates the GSD of your set before you process, so you know the ceiling in advance.
  • Need fine output? Fly lower with generous overlap. See flight basics.
  • Planning to use one of the modules? Use High when possible.
  • High takes noticeably longer and produces much larger files.
  • A project can only be reprocessed once, so pick deliberately rather than by trial and error.