Capture 3D Modelling

Drone 3D modeling are a great way to visualize the 3 dimensionalities of your object of interest. 3D models will automatically be processed on all of your maps.

Flying with Structures Mode

Structures Mode captures oblique images from the perimeter of your mission plan, facing towards the center of your subject and being careful not to include the horizon in the shots. This feature is only supported for drones created after the Phantom 4. Any drone before the Phantom 4 will be incompatible with structures mode. Please take a look at our list of Supported Drones to learn more about the compatibility of your drone.

When flying the perimeter, the drone will take images every 5 meters, at between 60 and 50 degrees down, looking towards the centroid of the map area. Also, the image capture is performed at the set flight altitude.

To capture oblique images manually:

Pilot the drone to the same altitude as the original mission. However, this time with an angle between the camera and the ground of 45 degrees.

Navigate the drone at this altitude and camera gimbal angle until you have the entire object you wish to model in the frame of the shot. Depending on the size and surroundings of an object this camera angle or altitude may not work. Please use your judgment.

From this location pivot your drone in a radius around the object capturing photos as frequently as possible.

How To Create 3D Maps And Models

To create a 3D map of a land mass from aerial photos, a camera is mounted on a drone or aircraft and is usually pointed vertically towards the ground. To create a 3D model of a monument, statue or even a face, the camera is mounted horizontally.

The drone camera will capture hundreds, even thousands of overlapping photos of the ground, structure or model. The photos will overlap each other, with an overlap of 80 to 90%. The 3D map or 3D model is then created using aerial image stitching photogrammetry software.

The drone will fly using autonomous programmed flight paths called waypoints.  To overlap photos of an object or land mass by 80 to 90% would be impossible to complete accurately by pilot navigation.  It is essential to have a drone, which has waypoint navigation technology.

Each photo captured will also have it’s GPS coordinates (Geotagging) saved, which also assists to build the 3D map. A geotagged photograph is associated with a geographical location. Usually this is done by assigning at least a latitude and longitude to the image. Other fields may be optionally included such as altitude and compass bearing.

What Is The Output From 3D Maps, Models And GIS

Through the use of drone image stitching photogrammetry software and also lidar mapping, there are various products, which can be extracted from the aerial imagery.  These products include;

Point Clouds

3D Building Models

DEM / DTM / DSM (surface models)

Orthophoto’s (geospatially corrected aerial images)

Planemetric features (road edges, heights, signs, building footprints, etc)

Topographic / Terrain / Contour Maps

Volumetric Surveys

Sectors Using 3D Maps And Photogrammetry Software

Here are some of the best uses of aerial 3D mapping.  These sectors benefit massively through having precision 3D maps of their projects.  They also benefit with increased efficiency and reduced costs over using traditional aircraft.

Forestry Management and Planning

Flood Modelling

Pollution Modelling

Mapping and Cartography

Urban Planning

Coastline Management

Transport Planning

Oil and Gas Exploration

Quarries and Minerals (Volumetrics and Exploration)

Archaeology

Cellular Network Planning