Feature request: Support for geoid-based elevation models (e.g. NN2000)

I’d like to suggest a highly useful feature for future versions of RealityCapture:
Support for geoid-based elevation models
Currently, RC only works with ellipsoidal heights (WGS84). This causes elevation errors of 18-21 meters in
many parts of Europe when working with RTK drone data (e.g. DJI Matrice), unless corrected manually or
through ground control points.It would be extremely helpful to have:

  • Built-in support for global or regional geoid models (e.g. EGM2008, EGM96, and NN2000)
  • Option to apply a known vertical geoid separation as an automatic Z-offset
  • Ability to reproject height from ellipsoid to orthometric (e.g. during image import or export)
    We understand that GCPs provide the most accurate adjustment, and we already use them in key projects.
    However, many real-world jobs (like documentation, inspection, or early surveys) are time-sensitive or
    remote, and rely on accurate RTK data without GCP.
    In these cases, a simple built-in height correction could ensure that exported models and maps reflect terrain
    height more closely - without relying on manual offset guesswork.
    Thanks again for a great product - and for considering this request.

Hello @Mrholthe
Thank you for your feature request.

There is a workaround for geoid usage in realityScan (but it doesn’t work for each one): How to improve a registration - #11 by OndrejTrhan

Anyway, I’ll add your request to our feature request database.

Hi Ondrej,

Thank you for your quick reply and for adding my request to the feature database.
I’ll definitely check out the workaround you linked and test how it performs with our RTK drone data.

We’re a family-run blasting company in Norway, using RealityCapture to deliver high-accuracy models and ortho maps from drone surveys – often combined with RTK and ground control points. Having internal support for geoid heights (like NN2000 in our case) would make our workflow more accurate and efficient.

Appreciate your consideration and look forward to what’s coming in future updates.

Best regards,
Stian Holthe