# DSM.TIF or Mosaic.TIF ?

**URL:** <https://community.pix4d.com/t/dsm-tif-or-mosaic-tif/11846>\
**Category:** PIX4Dmapper Questions/Troubleshooting\
**Created:** [March 4, 2020, 3:13am UTC](https://community.pix4d.com/t/dsm-tif-or-mosaic-tif/11846 "2020-03-04T03:13:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rrussell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rrussell](https://community.pix4d.com/u/rrussell)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 3:13am UTC](https://community.pix4d.com/t/dsm-tif-or-mosaic-tif/11846/1 "2020-03-04T03:13:46Z")

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I ran a 5 Ac mapping job with GCP’s for as-built documentation of a small construction project. Engineering firm has the design drawings in AutoCAD and wants to overlay the drone map to compare actual-to-design dimensions of the project structures. He got the contours successfully from the DXF file.Does he need the Ortho.TIF file or the DSM.TIF .file?

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**Author:** ![Pix4D\_Alumni\_MV](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/pix4d/user_avatar/community.pix4d.com/pix4d_alumni_mv/32/2071_2.png) [@Pix4D\_Alumni\_MV](https://community.pix4d.com/u/Pix4D_Alumni_MV)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 6:55am UTC](https://community.pix4d.com/t/dsm-tif-or-mosaic-tif/11846/2 "2020-03-04T06:55:54Z")

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Hi @rrussell,

It depends on what he wants to achieve.  
DSM will provide information on the height difference in the processed area which could show some structures.  
Whereas the orthomosaic shows the colors pattern of the surveyed area.  
Which could strongly help into seeing features.  
Maybe both will be needed.

Hope this will help.  
Best