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
: 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: agisoft metashape professional 2
Agisoft Metashape Professional version 2.0 (and its subsequent 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 updates) introduced several high-impact features designed for advanced geospatial and 3D modeling workflows.
One of the most useful "flagship" features is Aerial LiDAR Boresight Calibration, which significantly improves the accuracy of combined photogrammetry and LiDAR datasets. Top Useful Features in Metashape 2.x
Aerial LiDAR Data Support: Version 2.0 introduced the ability to process aerial LiDAR alongside traditional photogrammetry. You can now import LiDAR point clouds with full attribute support (intensity, scan angle, timestamp) and align them with image-based data for more robust 3D models.
Automatic (AI) Background Masking: This feature uses AI to automatically detect and mask backgrounds, saving hours of manual labor when isolating an object from its environment for 3D reconstruction.
Pansharpening: In version 2.2, Metashape added support for combining high-resolution panchromatic bands with lower-resolution multispectral data, resulting in much sharper, more detailed orthomosaics.
Project Recovery (Restart After Power Failure): A critical quality-of-life update that allows processing to automatically resume after a crash or power loss, preventing the loss of days of computation on large projects.
AprilTag Coded Targets: Support for AprilTags was added in version 2.2, offering a more robust alternative to traditional circular targets for automatic marker detection in complex lighting or low-resolution scenarios.
Network Parallel Processing: Improvements in the 2.x series allow for more efficient Network Processing, enabling multiple computers to work on independent tasks simultaneously for massive speed gains on large-scale datasets. Experimental Tool: Roof Edge Refinement Add Photos Align Cameras (now with "Adaptive camera
A highly useful "hidden" feature in version 2.2 is the Refine Roof Edges algorithm. It is designed to fix the "wavy" or artifact-heavy edges common in urban mapping.
How to enable: You must enable it via a "tweak" by going to Tools > Preferences > Advanced > Tweaks and setting main/enable_refine_roof_edges = True. Agisoft Metashape Change Log
Agisoft Metashape Professional 2.x is a major update to the photogrammetry platform that significantly expands support for LiDAR data processing, aerial laser scanning, and large-scale city modeling. While the core photogrammetric engine remains high-precision, the 2.x series introduces a new license activation system and specialized tools for professional surveying, GIS, and VFX workflows. Key New Features in the 2.x Series Professional Edition - Agisoft Metashape
Features * Photogrammetric triangulation. Processing of various types of imagery: aerial (nadir, oblique), close-range, satellite. Agisoft Metashape Agisoft Metashape 2.2 presentation
Agisoft Metashape Professional version 2.x is currently available for purchase through various licensing tiers. A standard Professional Edition (Node-Locked) license is typically priced at www.agisoftmetashape.com For existing users, updates from version 1.x to 2.x are completely free
. However, version 2.x requires a one-time re-activation with your existing license code due to a new activation system. Agisoft Metashape Pricing & License Types Professional Edition (Node-Locked):
$3,370. This is a permanent license for use on a single machine, though it can be transferred between computers. Professional Educational Edition: $529. Available strictly for educational institutions. Floating License:
Approximately $9,799 CAD (~$7,100 USD) or available "on request" through resellers. These allow multiple users on a network to share a pool of licenses. Pay-Per-Use (SaaS): Minimum monthly price of The Reference pane (ground control points) has been
for up to 100 hours of usage, with a one-year minimum contract. Agisoft Metashape Key Version 2 Updates Free Trial:
A fully functional 30-day trial is available directly within the software. Workflow Improvements:
Version 2.2 introduced a reorganized "Workflow" tab and the ability to save projects during active processing to prevent data loss. Enhanced Alignment:
Newer versions include improved automatic alignment for complex objects, such as merging top and bottom shots of a single item more reliably. Agisoft Metashape You can purchase or upgrade through the official Agisoft store or authorized resellers like to run version 2.x efficiently? Agisoft Metashape: Пакет установки
At its core, Agisoft Metashape Professional 2 is a standalone software product that performs photogrammetric processing of digital images and 4D reconstruction. It takes thousands of overlapping 2D photos—captured by drones, terrestrial cameras, or even smartphones—and generates high-resolution 3D spatial data, including dense point clouds, textured polygonal meshes, digital elevation models (DEMs), georeferenced orthomosaics, and 3D models ready for export to CAD, GIS, or game engines.
Version 2 is not merely a patch or a service update; it represents a fundamental overhaul of the processing pipeline, leveraging modern GPU architectures and introducing AI-assisted workflows.
While previous versions were 64-bit, Metashape Professional 2 fully exploits memory addressing beyond 256GB. Users can now align over 50,000 50-megapixel images in a single chunk without crashing—a feat impossible in v1. The new chunk management system also allows for seamless merging of sub-models.
Agisoft redesigned the toolbar to reflect the modern photogrammetry pipeline:
The Reference pane (ground control points) has been streamlined. You can now drag-and-drop a CSV file directly onto the pane, and Metashape auto-detects column headers (Lat/Lon/Alt, Accuracy).
This feature utilizes the Metashape Python API (v2.0+). It executes the following pipeline: