When creating a new project in Stitch3D, you'll be prompted to choose between two options: Quickstart or Georeferenced. Understanding the difference will help you choose the right setup for your workflow.
A Quickstart project is the fastest way to get up and running. Simply enter a project name and start uploading — no CRS configuration required. Quickstart projects accept files in any CRS as well as data that is not georeferenced at all. If your data is not georeferenced, or is in a local coordinate system a Quickstart project is currently your only option.
A Georeferenced project is the best choice for anyone sharing geospatial data. When you upload a file to a georeferenced project, it is automatically validated and reprojected into the project CRS during the upload process. This ensures every file you deliver is in the correct coordinate reference system, providing a consistent and reliable experience in the viewer. Georeferenced projects also unlock the ability to add Ground Control Points (GCPs) to your project.
Step 1 – Name Your Project and Set a Location
Start by entering a project name. You can update this later in your project settings. Next, set your project location — this is used to recommend the most appropriate CRS for your project and does not need to be exact. You have a few options for setting your location:
Once your project name and location are set, click "Set location & continue" to proceed to Step 2.
Step 2 – Set Your Coordinate Reference System (CRS)
Both a horizontal and vertical CRS are required for a georeferenced project. Based on the location you provided in Step 1, Stitch3D will suggest the most likely CRS options for your area, with the best match flagged as "Most likely." You can search within the available options to filter results.
Currently, only EPSG-registered CRS are supported — local or custom grid systems are not supported at this time.
Compound CRS: We do not support compound (combined horizontal + vertical) CRS entries. If your data uses a compound CRS, you will need to separate it into its individual horizontal and vertical components and enter each one separately. For example, a compound CRS like NAD83 / Michigan South + NAVD88 height should be entered as NAD83 / Michigan South for the horizontal component and NAVD88 for the vertical component. You can look up the individual EPSG codes for each component on epsg.io.
Not seeing the CRS you expect? First, go back to Step 1 and confirm your project location is correct, as the CRS recommendations are based on this. If your location is accurate and you're still not seeing the expected CRS, please reach out to our support team for assistance.
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Important: Once a CRS is set for a georeferenced project it cannot be changed, as this preserves the data integrity of your project. If you created a project with the wrong CRS, delete it and start over.
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Once your CRS is configured, click "Create project" to finish setup and begin uploading your data.