---
title: "How to prepare your splat model | Guides"
description: "How to prepare your splats and upload it to the 3D Editor."
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at [/llms.txt](https://docs.maptiler.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any URL.

# How to prepare your splat model

To get your own map application with 3D [GeoSplats](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/geosplats/), you must first upload a raw splats file supported by our [3D Editor](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/geosplats/3d-editor/). This guide explains the correct format and advises where to get the data and what to do with it before upload.

## Generate splats

To get your own splat model of a 3D scene, you need data for the scene and a 3rd party application that uses the data to generate a splat model. Here’s what you can use for the job:

-   **Video or photo collections:** Visual data capturing the scene with high overlap (70–80 %) and minimal motion blur. To collect the data, you can use one of these devices and even combine their output for best results:
    
    -   **Drone:** Ideal for large-scale outdoor scenes. For detailed instructions, see 👉 [How to capture drone data](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/geosplats/drone-capture/).
    -   **Smartphone:** Easiest entry point. There are integrated mobile apps that support both capturing and processing the scene into splats.
    -   **360 camera:** Specialized models that capture a full sphere, ensuring complete coverage. This is perfect for walkthroughs.
    -   **DSLR or mirrorless camera:** For professional-grade, ultra-high-fidelity splats. Raw photos are typically processed in desktop software.
-   **Photogrammetry and LiDAR:** Existing 3D reconstructions, textured meshes, or point clouds can be used as a foundation to generate high-fidelity Gaussian splats using specialized software.
    

The special software uses the data to “train” the splat model and produce a Gaussian splats PLY file which is accepted by our 3D Editor. Commercial and open-source options for this step include for example [PIX4Dmatic](https://www.pix4d.com/product/pix4dmatic-large-scale-photogrammetry-software/), [LichtFeld Studio](https://lichtfeld.io/), [DJI Terra](https://enterprise.dji.com/dji-terra), and [Lixel CyberColor](https://www.xgrids.com/intl/lcc).

Tip

**Pro tip for blending color differences:** Your splat model colors can mismatch the default satellite basemap, for example due to seasonal changes. You can prevent this through a separate map-preparation workflow: When shooting drone images for the model itself, capture also a wider surrounding area. Use this imagery to create a [custom image overlay](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-data/use-raster-data/) over the satellite basemap, then place your splat model on top of this updated basemap for a smooth visual transition.

## Crop the splats

Before uploading, you need to **crop and clean** the model, again using a 3rd party software such as **SuperSplat**, as our 3D Editor doesn’t have this capability yet.

Uncropped outdoor 3D scene typically has a lot of noise such as extra objects, vegetation, clouds and other floating “blobs”. As a result, it looks messy and sometimes completely obfuscates the main object you want to show. Remove any unwanted objects to declutter the scene and make the important parts nicely visible.

![Uncropped vs cropped splat model](../../img/splats-uncropped.webp)

_Splat model of a water reservoir bank before cropping and cleaning (left) and after_

For best results, we recommend to crop the scene:

-   **In flat areas.** This helps your main object stand out and ensure that any included 3D objects are complete and not visually cut in half.
-   **Along roads or paths.** This makes it easier to place the model by aligning the roads in the model and on the map.

## Next steps

When you have your splats PLY file ready, [**upload it here**](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/new) and proceed to [locate and edit your splat model](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/geosplats/3d-editor/get-started/) in the 3D Editor.