# Colorization

To colorize a .cloud file, make sure a .cloud file has been created and is loaded. Refer to the [Create a .cloud File](/spatialexplorer/work-offline/workflow/create-a-cloud.md) section.

Once a .cloud file has been created, click the name of the created .cloud file underneath "Pointclouds" in the Project tree window. In this example, the created point cloud is "20180601-214257".

![](/files/-LtCd1P7UgH7CRP3egVD)

In the submenu, select the Edit tab and click on the paint bucket icon to access the colorize menu.

![Colorize point cloud icon](/files/-M05G5UMXUjO2s_g7ZSY)

There are four metrics by which to colorize a .cloud file: Smooth, Flashlight, Distance, and Time. There is also an option to only colorize selected points or certain point classes. Refer to [Make Selections](/spatialexplorer/work-offline/workflow/create-a-cloud/make-selections.md) and [Filtering](/spatialexplorer/work-offline/workflow/create-a-cloud/filtering.md) for more information. 

{% hint style="info" %}
Advanced Colorization routines (Flashlight/Smooth) require a SpatialExplorer Pro license. Refer to [Licensing](/spatialexplorer/installation/licensing-1.md#spatialexplorer-licensing-levels) for more information.
{% endhint %}

![Cloud Colorization options](/files/-M0tCZ-tqdtcL0X6fMZo)

Click the "OK" radio button to begin colorizing the .cloud file. Upon finishing, a dialog window will pop up indicating if the colorization should be applied to the .cloud file that is currently opened or if it should be discarded.

![Apply or discard colorization to .cloud file](/files/-LtCiCn6bsbzqMl1Qas9)

If the colorization is applied, it will be visible in the display window as long as Color Source is set to Color or Color/Height.

![](/files/-LtCiqWJcs-QCrPHbXYH)

## Colorization Metrics

### Flashlight

At the time of writing, Flashlight method is the quickest colorization strategy.

{% hint style="info" %}
Flashlight is an advanced colorization method that requires a SpatialExplorer Pro License. Refer to [Licensing](/spatialexplorer/installation/licensing-1.md) for more information.
{% endhint %}

### Distance

The Distance method is based on spatial proximity and is influenced by the radius parameter. In general the benefit of using a spatial proximity method is that there are fewer points left uncolored. The drawback is that seam lines between photos are often more apparent.

### Time

The Time method will select an image to pull RGB values from based on temporal proximity and will only search X images before and after the time of a LiDAR return.


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