How to Combine Retained Photos from Projects Using Different Coordinate Systems – LP360

Problem

You started an LP360 project in one coordinate reference system (CRS) (for example, Alabama East) and later realized the project should live in a different CRS (for example, Alabama West). You have since:

Processed new data in the correct CRS
Retained photos from the original project
Want to generate a single orthomosaic using photos from both project phases

The question is how to reuse the retained photos correctly without reprocessing or attempting to reproject them.

Key Concepts

Photos do not need to be reprojected
Photos with valid pose information can be reused in a project with a different CRS
LP360 allows photo layers to be imported from one project into another

Best Practice
Export a photo package from the original project first, then import that package into the target project.

This ensures that only retained photos are imported, avoids accidental reuse of obsolete imagery, and keeps project data clean and intentional.

Recommended Workflow

Step 1: Export a photo package from Project A (original CRS)

In the original project, use Export Photo Package to export only the retained photos you intend to reuse.

This ensures that only approved imagery and the associated camera calibration files are carried forward into the next project.

Step 2: Open Project B and import the retained photos

Open the project that already uses the correct coordinate reference system, then import the photos using Add Photos (Add Photo Layer) .

Go to Add → Photos
Select the exported photo package (or photo folders)
If the images display a green checkmark , they contain valid (true‑pose) orientation
Name the new photo layer and select OK

If the imported images display a green checkmark , they are recognized as True Pose® Photos and contain valid orientation and camera calibration metadata.

Step 3: Verify the imported photo layer

After import, right‑click the new photo layer and open Feature Analyst to confirm the photos are present and correctly recognized.

Right‑click the new photo layer
Select Feature Analyst
Confirm the photos are present and correctly recognized

This verification step helps ensure the imported imagery is available for downstream processing such as orthophoto generation.

Result

The retained photos from the original project can now be used alongside newer imagery to generate a single orthomosaic in the target project’s coordinate system. No photo reprojection is required.

Important: Tools Not to Use for Photos

The following tools are designed for spatial data products and should not be used on photos:

Reproject LAS — Do not use for photos - Use for any LAS data you wish to move between projects with different CRS.
Reproject Raster — Do not use for photos - Use for an already generated orthomosaic, DSM, or DEM.

Photos should always be reused by importing photo layers, not by applying reprojection tools.

Tools Referenced in This Workflow

	Export Photo Package Exports retained photos and associated camera calibration files from a project for reuse or downstream processing.
	Add Photos (Add Photo Layer) Imports True Pose® photos into a project as a photo layer.
	Feature Analyst Used to inspect and verify imported photo layers and other feature data within the project.
	True Pose® Photos Photos containing full orientation and camera calibration metadata required for accurate alignment and orthophoto generation.

Summary

Photos do not require reprojection
Exporting a photo package helps ensure only retained photos are reused
Green‑check (True Pose® Photos) can be safely imported into another project
Combined orthomosaics can be generated in the correct CRS

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