Worker
Set up the Worker desktop application for advanced computational features
Worker is a desktop application that runs locally on your computer and handles computationally intensive tasks for Aura. It's required for Digital Grid tools and advanced point cloud processing.
Why Worker?
Aura runs in your web browser, which has limitations for heavy computational tasks. Worker provides:
- Local Processing - Performs calculations on your machine without cloud computing costs
- Direct File Access - Reads and writes to your local working directory
- Better Performance - Handles large point cloud operations efficiently
- Offline Capability - Works without internet for processing tasks
Worker is required for Digital Grid tools (poles, wires, spans), distance calculations, and point cloud export. Basic viewer functionality works without Worker.
How It Works
- Worker runs locally - A small server application on your computer
- Aura connects via localhost - Your browser communicates with Worker at
http://127.0.0.1:8000 - Tasks are processed - Aura sends requests, Worker does the computation, and returns results
- Files are saved locally - Output files go to your working directory
Guide Sections
Installation
Download and install the Worker application on your computer.
Configuration
Set up your working directory and configure connection settings.
Troubleshooting
Solve common issues with Worker connections and processing.
Quick Status Check
In Aura, you can see Worker's connection status in the left sidebar:
| Status | Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Connected | 🟢 Green dot | Worker is running and ready |
| Loading | 🟡 Yellow pulsing dot | Worker is starting up and loading modules |
| Update Required | 🟠 Orange pulsing dot | Worker version is outdated and needs to be updated |
| Disconnected | 🔴 Red pulsing dot | Worker is not running or not accessible |
Browser Permission Required: Your browser must allow access to the local network (127.0.0.1) for Aura to communicate with Worker. Most browsers allow this by default for localhost connections.
Version Compatibility
Aura and Worker versions must be compatible. When Aura requires features from a newer Worker version, you'll see an orange status indicator and an update notification in the sidebar.
Checking Your Version
Your current Worker version is displayed in:
- The system tray menu (right-click the Worker icon)
- The Worker Status section in Aura's sidebar (when connected)
Updating Worker
If you see "Update Required":
- Download the latest Worker version from the releases page
- Close the currently running Worker
- Install the new version (it will replace the old one)
- Start Worker again
- Refresh Aura to verify the connection
We recommend keeping Worker updated to the latest version to ensure compatibility and access to new features.
Features Requiring Worker
These Aura features require Worker to be running:
Digital Grid Tools
- Adding poles and towers
- Creating spans and wires
- Extracting crossarms
- Distance calculations
Point Cloud Processing
- Converting LAZ to COPC format
- Exporting clipped point clouds
- Classification operations
Analysis
- Clearance distance calculations
- Vegetation analysis
- Cluster processing
System Requirements
Worker runs on:
- macOS - Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)
- Windows - Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
- Linux - Ubuntu 20.04 or later
Hardware recommendations:
- CPU - Multi-core processor (4+ cores recommended)
- RAM - 8 GB minimum, 16 GB recommended for large datasets
- Storage - SSD recommended for faster file operations
Next Steps
- Install Worker on your computer
- Configure your working directory
- Start using Digital Grid tools