Trimble Geospatial’s Post

Processing some of my early drone flights with Pix4D. I processed 450 images from each of three different flight dates with Pix4dmatic. The video shows processed orthophotography of the demolition and construction of a new middle school in Weymouth MA. There's a great amount of detail in these images but I also processed the point clouds and mesh and will post details including volume calculations in a future post. Pix4D #construction #drone #imageprocessing #photogrammetry #geospatial #gis #remotesensing

🌐 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲 📸✈️ Drones often come with fixed wide-angle lenses ideal for capturing aerial data. However, if you have the flexibility of interchangeable lenses, consider this: for most photogrammetry tasks, a focal length equivalent to 24-50mm is your best bet. 🔍 Why not opt for a telephoto lens for greater detail from a distance? While tempting, atmospheric conditions like haze can significantly degrade image quality. Atmospheric haze, caused by airborne particles, scatters light and reduces contrast, color saturation, and sharpness over long distances. For more details, check out our article: https://bit.ly/4bFeDBP Image credit: nikonusa.com #dronephotography #photogrammetry #dronetips #aerialphotography #JOUAV

The closest focal length to what the human eye sees is generally considered to be around 50mm on a full-frame (35mm) camera. This focal length approximates the field of view and perspective of human vision. From my Cannon A1 days: -Field of View: A 50mm lens on a full-frame camera provides a field of view similar to the human eye, capturing a scene in a way that feels natural and familiar to me. -Perspective: The perspective rendered by a 50mm lens is also similar to how I perceived depth and spatial relationships with my eyes, avoiding the distortion seen in wider or longer focal lengths. For cameras with different sensor sizes (such as APS-C or Micro Four Thirds), you would need to use the crop factor to find the equivalent focal length. For example: -APS-C: A 35mm lens on an APS-C camera (with a crop factor of 1.5) would provide a similar field of view to a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera. -Micro Four Thirds: A 25mm lens on a Micro Four Thirds camera (with a crop factor of 2) would provide a similar field of view to a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera.

As CHCNAV's latest high-performance airborne LiDAR, the AA15 can be combined with the C30 camera to simultaneously acquire point cloud and oblique photography data in a single flight. Unlike modeling that relies exclusively on airborne photogrammetry, the combination of LiDAR and oblique photography can bring higher model quality and data processing efficiency. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3RTjmaT #lidar #mapping #gis

PBS’ Survey department is supporting QRS Consulting, LLC with a City Of Walla Walla sediment bypass gate design project, which gave us the opportunity to use multiple offerings from our UAS program as well. In addition to mapping the broader project extents with photogrammetry and lidar using the DJI M300, we also made use of the Skydio 2 + 3D scan. The short video below shows the Skydio 2 in flight, the pilot’s HUD, and the resulting 3D model. This dataset was collected to give the design team access to a “Virtual Inspection” interface (via Nira.app) to better inform design decisions. It was also used to support feature extraction and digitizing for the topographic survey creation, along with the photogrammetry and lidar datasets from the M300. **Full disclosure – The 3D model shown in the video was created from the M300/P1 imagery collected manually. The Skydio 2 imagery that was collected had not finished processing yet. (And in case you’re wondering – Yes, I absolutely get a kick out of tagging DJI and Skydio in the same post 😉 ) With Eduardo Corona-Ibarra & Greg Flowers #uas #gis #lidar #photogrammetry

SPONSORED POST Accuracy problems with drone surveys are frustrating - and expensive. You know the story: Inaccurate quantities that lead to costly rework, project delays, and blown budgets. While many tools promise precision, few consistently deliver reliable results. Propeller is on a mission to change that by making survey-grade data accessible and easy to use, so your team can move forward with confidence. To prove it, Propeller put their PPK workflow to the test on 40 hectares of mixed terrain, using @DJI’s Mavic 3 Enterprise for photogrammetry and the Matrice 350 with the Zenmuse L2 sensor for lidar. Independently verified by a licensed surveyor, the results speak for themselves. If accuracy has been a challenge, this report could provide the clarity you need. Download the Propeller PPK Accuracy Report here: https://ow.ly/GG2Z50TmEE4 #accuracywins #poweredbypropeller #dronesurvey

The golden rules of Ground Control Point (GCP) distribution: DO: Opt for a uniform distribution pattern across your terrain, centered and covering all corners. This will help you achieve accuracy by strategically placing your GCPs for comprehensive coverage. DON'T: Fall into the pitfalls of sparse or congested GCP placements. This will only create unnecessary hurdles and compromises in your mapping accuracy, hindering the potential of your aerial photogrammetry and LiDAR projects. #PixElement #3DModeling #AerialPhotogrammetry #LiDAR #PrecisionMapping #GIS #GroundControlPoints #AccuracyMatters

Capture close-up visuals and UT measurements on Ship Inspections Built from the start to perform contact inspections, the Elios 3 is the ideal tool for close-up visual inspections and UT measurements even in confined and hard-to-reach areas. The UT payload developed in collaboration with Cygnus Instruments allows the drone to perform accurate ultrasonic thickness measurements on vessels and other equipment. Combined with advanced LiDAR technology, the drone can provide precise localization of all measurements and display them in the 3D model of the asset. Elios 3 UT provides you with all the data needed for a CLASS inspection while leaving inspectors safely on the ground and saving you significant time and money. Benefits: NO human entry and work at height P50,000,000 saved on a hull inspection 10x faster cargo tank inspections, 20x faster in other assets.

Playing with a #DSM in Virtual Surveyor before it goes into #CAD. I've been learning a ton about post processing the data I get from my aerials lately. It can be tedious but I really enjoy this side of aerial surveying. It has given me a whole new perspective on my mission planning, setting GCPs, and flying in general. Love my job IngenAE, LLC 💗 #dronespecialist #womenindrones #virtualsurveyor #postprocessing #Pix4D #aerialsurvey #photogrammetry #aerialtopography

The DJI Matrice 350 is a highly versatile drone that has found widespread use in various industries, including mapping and surveying applications. It builds on the success of previous models in the Matrice series, providing enhanced flight performance, increased payload capacity, and improved data accuracy. Here’s how the Matrice 350 can be used in mapping applications: Key Features for Mapping: Long Flight Time: The Matrice 350 offers a flight time of up to 55 minutes, making it ideal for large-area surveys and mapping without frequent battery changes. High Payload Capacity: It can carry multiple payloads or high-end cameras such as the DJI Zenmuse P1 or L1. The P1 is designed for photogrammetry (mapping based on photos), while the L1 is suitable for LiDAR mapping (capturing 3D data). RTK Support (Real-Time Kinematic): The drone is compatible with DJI’s RTK system, which provides centimeter-level positioning accuracy. This is critical for producing highly