2 | Agisoft Metashape Professional
For existing Professional 1.x owners, the upgrade fee (typically 25-30% of the full license) is a no-brainer if you:
For new buyers, Agisoft Metashape Professional 2 at ~$3,499 USD (one-time, plus optional maintenance) remains significantly cheaper than competitors like RealityCapture (subscription) or Pix4Dmatic (per-project tokens) while offering more control than cloud-only solutions.
| Task | v1.8.5 (RTX 3080) | v2.0.1 (same hardware) | Improvement |
|------|------------------|------------------------|--------------|
| Align photos (500 images, 20MP) | 8m 22s | 5m 10s | ~38% faster |
| Build dense cloud (High) | 24m 15s | 14m 05s | ~42% faster |
| Build mesh (Arbitrary) | 12m 30s | 7m 20s | ~41% faster |
No software is perfect. As of version 2.0.0, users have reported:
Agisoft has announced that version 2.1 (expected Q3 2025) will add real-time orthomosaic streaming and direct UAV flight path import (DJI Terra logs).
Who should buy?
Who should skip?
Rating: 8.7/10
+: performance leap, modern UI, excellent accuracy, no forced subscription.
-: LiDAR missing, VRAM hungry, ML features need work.
Would you like a comparison with a specific competitor or a guide on migrating a project from v1.9 to v2.0?
Unlocking Precision: A Guide to Agisoft Metashape Professional 2 Agisoft Metashape Professional 2
is a powerhouse in the world of photogrammetry, designed to transform ordinary photographs and laser scans into high-precision 3D spatial data. Whether you are mapping vast coastal landscapes or digitizing delicate archaeological artifacts, version 2 introduces significant workflow improvements and advanced feature sets that cater to both beginners and seasoned professionals. What is Agisoft Metashape Professional? At its core, Agisoft Metashape
is a desktop software tool that uses "Structure from Motion" (SfM) algorithms to process images from drones, smartphones, or DSLRs. Unlike the Standard edition, the Professional version supports advanced outputs like Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) georeferenced orthomosaics
, and LiDAR integration, making it the industry standard for GIS, surveying, and heritage documentation. Key Features in the 2.x Series
The jump to version 2 (and subsequent updates like 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3) brought several "field-ready" enhancements: LiDAR & Laser Scan Integration
: Metashape Pro 2.0+ can automatically combine photogrammetric depth maps with imported laser scans, allowing for more robust models in complex environments. Enhanced Texturing & Surface Quality
: Recent updates (specifically 2.3) focus on higher-quality surface appearance and more flexible camera/lens modeling for professional-grade visual effects and reporting. Automated Processing agisoft metashape professional 2
: With Python script extensions, users can now automate repetitive tasks like the USGS-proposed point filtering to optimize camera models without manual trial-and-error. Workflow Safety : A new feature in version 2.2 allows users to save the project during processing
, a critical addition that prevents data loss if the program crashes during heavy computations. The Professional Workflow: Step-by-Step While version 2.2 adjusted the layout of the Workflow tab , the fundamental steps remain consistent:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|-----------|---------|--------------|
| CPU | 4-core | 12+ core (AMD 7950X / Intel 13900K) |
| RAM | 16 GB | 64 GB (128 GB for 1000+ images) |
| GPU | 4 GB VRAM, OpenGL 4.5 | 12+ GB VRAM (RTX 4080/4090) |
| Storage | SSD 100 GB | NVMe 1 TB+ |
The quality of your final piece depends entirely on your input.
Overlap: Ensure at least 60% side overlap and 80% forward overlap between photos.
Consistency: Use a fixed focal length (no zooming) and maintain even lighting to avoid harsh shadows that can confuse the software. 2. The Core Workflow
Following the standard photogrammetry pipeline in Metashape Professional 2 involves these sequential steps:
Align Photos: The software identifies tie points between images to create a sparse point cloud and determine camera positions.
Build Dense Cloud: This step fills in the gaps from the sparse cloud, creating a high-density set of points representing the object's surface.
Build Mesh: Metashape connects the points in the dense cloud to create a continuous 3D surface (wireframe).
Build Texture: The software projects the original photographic data onto the mesh to provide realistic color and detail. 3. Professional-Grade Features
Since you are using the Professional version, you have access to advanced tools that distinguish it from the Standard edition:
Georeferencing: Import GPS data or Ground Control Points (GCPs) for high-accuracy surveying.
GIS Outputs: Generate and export Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and Orthomosaics.
Automation: Use Python scripting to automate repetitive processing tasks and customize your workflow. 4. Hardware Optimization For existing Professional 1
To process large "pieces" efficiently, ensure your workstation meets these recommended specs for 2025/2026:
GPU: Metashape relies heavily on the GPU for alignment and dense cloud generation. An NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or better is recommended.
RAM: 32GB to 64GB is standard for professional projects, though larger datasets may require more. 5. Final Export
Once your piece is complete, you can export it in various formats depending on your end goal: Visuals: Use STL or OBJ for 3D modeling and rendering.
Measurement: Export as E57 (Lidar) or high-res Orthophotos for GIS applications.
Are you focusing on a specific type of object (like a building, a landscape, or a small artifact) for this piece?
Agisoft Metashape Professional 2.0 (and its subsequent updates like 2.1 and 2.2) represents a major evolution of the photogrammetry software, transitioning from a purely image-based tool to a hybrid platform that integrates LiDAR data processing. Key Evolutionary Features
The release of version 2.0 and later introduced several technical milestones:
LiDAR & Laser Scan Integration: The most significant addition is native support for terrestrial and aerial LiDAR. Users can now co-process images with laser scans to improve the accuracy of 3D models and digital elevation models (DEMs).
Enhanced Reconstruction: The software uses both photogrammetric depth maps and laser scans during mesh and tiled model generation.
Smart Automation (AI): New versions include AI-based background masking to automatically isolate subjects and advanced powerline detection for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Operational Safety: A new intermediate saving feature allows processing to resume automatically from the last successful subtask in the event of a power failure or system crash.
Workflow Adjustments: Version 2.x renamed certain traditional steps; for example, "Build Dense Cloud" was replaced with "Build Point Cloud". Professional vs. Standard Edition
While both editions share the same core engine, the Professional Edition is specifically designed for high-precision GIS and surveying tasks. Metashape Professional 2.x Metashape Standard 2.x Input Sources Aerial, close-range, satellite, LiDAR Close-range, aerial GIS Tools Georeferencing, GCP support, DTM/DSM Basic 3D modeling only Automation Python/Java API, Batch processing Advanced Tools Multispectral indices (NDVI), volume measurement Practical Applications Professional Edition - Agisoft Metashape
Features * Photogrammetric triangulation. Processing of various types of imagery: aerial (nadir, oblique), close-range, satellite. Agisoft Metashape Agisoft Metashape 2.0.0 pre-release For new buyers, Agisoft Metashape Professional 2 at
Agisoft Metashape Professional 2 represents a major evolution in photogrammetric software, transitioning from the 1.x series with a focus on LiDAR fusion, AI-driven automation, and improved large-scale data management. It remains a high-end tool for surveyors and enterprise users, distinguished by its georeferencing, multispectral processing, and Python automation. Key Features and Improvements in Version 2.x
LiDAR and Laser Scan Integration: A core focus of the 2.x series is the improved handling of laser data.
Aerial LiDAR Boresight Calibration: Refines the orientation of LiDAR data by analyzing common features between adjacent flight paths, reducing misalignments.
LiDAR Separation Imagery: New report options allow users to visualize alignment quality and scan-to-scan consistency for QA.
Match Depth Maps: An added option for aligning laser scans that utilizes dense depth information to improve registration stability. Advanced Texturing and Imagery:
Natural Blending Mode: Introduced in version 2.3, this mode reduces visible seams and lighting variations while maintaining sharp edges by working on frequency components of photos.
Pansharpening: Fuses high-resolution panchromatic bands with multispectral data to produce sharper, more detailed orthomosaics.
AI-Based Masking: Automatic background removal using AI helps speed up the masking process, which is especially useful for complex subjects. Workflow and Hardware Support:
Block Models: Supports city-scale projects by dividing massive mesh models into manageable blocks.
Fisheye Lens Support: Added Equidistant and Equisolid fisheye models to reduce systematic distortions in wide-angle imaging.
Power Failure Resilience: New ability to restart or resume processing after a power failure. Professional vs. Standard Edition (2.x)
While both editions share core photogrammetry functions like mesh generation, the Professional edition is required for advanced outputs and industrial applications. Professional Georeferencing (GCPs, RTK/PPK) DEM & Orthomosaic Outputs Multispectral & Thermal Processing Python Scripting API Network & Cloud Processing LiDAR Data Support Comparison and Value for Existing Users Agisoft Metashape Change Log
Based on the capabilities of Agisoft Metashape Professional 2, I have selected a high-value, complex feature to develop: "Automated Vegetation Classification and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) Generation."
This feature addresses a common pain point in photogrammetry: processing dense vegetation areas where you need a bare-earth model (DTM) rather than a surface model (DSM) that includes trees and bushes.
Below is the complete development documentation and implementation script for this feature.
This feature utilizes the Metashape Python API (v2.0+). It executes the following pipeline:
