Leica Hexagon HxMap v5.0.0 build 49982 (Airborne Sensor Post-Processing Software)
Summary
Leica HxMap v5.0.0 build 49982 is a high-performance, multi-sensor post-processing software platform designed by Leica Geosystems (Hexagon) to process airborne imagery and LiDAR data in a unified workflow. The software is built for geospatial professionals, mapping agencies, surveying companies, and 3D modelling specialists who need to transform raw flight datasets into deliverable geospatial products.
HxMap guides users through the entire processing chain, from data download and quality control through aerial triangulation, radiometric adjustment, and final product generation, all within a single, intuitive interface. The v5.0.0 release, documented in the official Hexagon release notes, introduces significant new capabilities including support for the Leica CoastalMapper sensor and an upgraded global calibration repository system.
Unified Processing Architecture And Scalable Modules
HxMap’s core strength lies in its unified processing architecture. The platform combines raw sensor data ingest, quality control, aerial triangulation, and product generation into a single user interface, eliminating the need to transfer data between multiple software packages. The software is built around a modular licensing structure, allowing organizations to license only the components they need. The Provider module handles download, ingest, and raw quality control for all sensor types.
The Core Image module provides robust aerial triangulation, automatic point matching, and orthoimage generation. The Core LiDAR module delivers LiDAR calibration, line-to-line registration, point cloud colourisation, and quality assurance tools. The Mosaic module creates large orthophoto mosaics with smart seamline generation and feathering. The 3D Modeller and 3D Advanced modules generate 3D building objects, textured meshes, and true orthophotos.
Sensor Support And Compatibility
HxMap v5.0.0 supports a comprehensive range of Leica airborne sensors. The platform handles imagery and LiDAR from hybrid and single-sensor airborne systems including the Leica RCD30, DMC III, DMC-4, ContentMapper, CityMapper (all generations), CountryMapper, TerrainMapper (all generations), and the SPL100 Single Photon LiDAR.
The v5.0.0 release specifically adds support for datasets captured with the Leica CoastalMapper sensor, extending the platform’s capabilities to coastal and bathymetric mapping applications. For organizations using hybrid sensors, HxMap provides simultaneous processing of both imagery and LiDAR data in a single workflow, with data download, raw QC, and ingest operating identically for both data types before the workflow branches into sensor-specific processing steps.
Key Enhancements In Version 5.0.0
The v5.0.0 release introduces several significant enhancements that improve processing efficiency and output quality. The global calibration repository has been reorganised and is now organised by sensor system serial number, simplifying calibration management across multiple systems. Sensor misalignment data has been moved from sensor calibration files to the system calibration file, with calibration tools now creating complete system calibration results.
Point cloud ground classification has been improved to include more points close to the ground surface, enhancing the accuracy of DEM generation. LiDAR ingest is now split by time into multiple jobs per strip, improving processing efficiency for large datasets. The v5.0.0 release also includes improvements to global elevation source handling based on the ALOS World 3D dataset, and the Image Adjustment tool now supports undo/redo and curve editing via keyboard shortcut.
Product Generation And Output Formats
HxMap’s product generator creates a comprehensive range of geospatial deliverables from processed sensor data. Outputs include orthophotos, true orthophotos, 3D textured meshes, 3D city models, point clouds, and info clouds. The software supports exporting products in standard formats including LAS/LAZ for point clouds, GeoTIFF for DEM products, and standard image formats for orthomosaics.
The Mosaic module enables the creation of mosaics with tens of thousands of DTM orthoimages, with smart seamline generation that uses exclusion areas to minimise manual editing. The 3D Modeller module extracts 3D building geometries from either LiDAR or image-derived point clouds, with or without building footprints, and textures building objects with nadir and oblique imagery.
System Requirements And Hardware Recommendations
HxMap v5.0.0 runs on the Microsoft Windows operating system, with support for Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019. The Linux version has been updated to Ubuntu 24.04. For standalone Leica RCD30 systems, a minimum of 16 GB RAM is required, while all other supported sensors require 64 GB RAM. A minimum of 3 TB free disk space is needed for data processing, with 20 TB or more recommended for production work.
One full day of flight data with products may require about 3 TB. The processor should be at least 3 GHz with 8 physical cores or more, supporting SSE and AVX instructions. For HxMap 3D Advanced, an NVIDIA graphics card is required with minimum CUDA compute capability level 7.5 or higher, with gaming-type cards like GeForce RTX 30 series and 40 series being suitable choices.
Upgrade Notes And Backwards Compatibility
Upgrading to HxMap v5.0.0 requires attention to specific procedures. The global calibration repository needs to be upgraded one time before using HxMap 5.0, using the hexsysgenerator utility included with the installer. HxMap 5.0 is backwards compatible with data processed in HxMap 4.0 and newer versions, allowing existing projects to be loaded and used. HxMap CCP Plus and Unlimited Processing entitlements must be updated for use with HxMap 5.0.
The HxMap GeoData has been separated into Coordinate Systems and Global Elevation components, with the global elevation source now based on the ALOS World 3D dataset. Users should review the sensor system and FlightPro compatibility matrix before upgrading to ensure their hardware configuration is supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is Leica HxMap v5.0.0 used for?
It is a high-performance, multi-sensor post-processing software for airborne imagery and LiDAR data, covering the workflow from raw data ingest through aerial triangulation and product generation.
Q2: What sensors does HxMap v5.0.0 support?
It supports Leica RCD30, DMC III, DMC-4, ContentMapper, CityMapper (all generations), CountryMapper, TerrainMapper (all generations), SPL100, and the new CoastalMapper sensor.
Q3: What products can HxMap generate?
It generates orthophotos, true orthophotos, 3D textured meshes, 3D city models, point clouds, and info clouds.
Q4: What are the RAM requirements for HxMap v5.0.0?
Minimum 16 GB RAM for standalone RCD30 systems, and 64 GB RAM for all other supported sensors.
Q5: What graphics card is required for 3D Advanced processing?
An NVIDIA graphics card with minimum CUDA compute capability 7.5 or higher is required, with GeForce RTX 30 or 40 series cards being suitable.
Q6: Is HxMap 5.0 backwards compatible with older datasets?
Yes, HxMap 5.0 is backwards compatible with data processed in HxMap 4.0 and newer versions.
