DJI Inspire and Datugram3D

For stockpiles I'd recommend getting Pix4D, which creates a point cloud. I not sure if Datugram3d creates a point cloud, you have to manual snap to each node and create your on points and lines.

leegreen, post: 394027, member: 2332 wrote: For stockpiles I'd recommend getting Pix4D, which creates a point cloud. I not sure if Datugram3d creates a point cloud, you have to manual snap to each node and create your on points and lines.

Datagram3d has a the ability to create surfaces by windowing the area of interest. I'm not sold on DSM (point cloud from image) technology. Datagram seems to cater to the needs of a surveyor whereas pix4d sells 'automated mapping' - which to me means low accuracy. I need more control. Do you use pix4D and if so what kind of results have you gotten?

surveyor85, post: 394028, member: 9748 wrote: Datagram3d has a the ability to create surfaces by windowing the area of interest. I'm not sold on DSM (point cloud from image) technology. Datagram seems to cater to the needs of a surveyor whereas pix4d sells 'automated mapping' - which to me means low accuracy. I need more control. Do you use pix4D and if so what kind of results have you gotten?

Yes, I use Pix4D. For stock piles and irregular shapes with a lot of relief the point clouds is very good. It get's every nook and cranny. Saves a lot of time, no manual snapping. Volumes are instant. For Topo of curbs, walls, buildings and such, the point cloud is too much. You will need to trace (manual snap) the break lines or use a product such as TopoDOT or Datagram3d. Pix4d can calculate the volume, no need for any extra effort or exporting the data once the point cloud is generated. Pix4D will also automatically generate a contour map that can be exported the DXF.

leegreen, post: 394042, member: 2332 wrote: Yes, I use Pix4D. For stock piles and irregular shapes with a lot of relief the point clouds is very good. It get's every nook and cranny. Saves a lot of time, no manual snapping. Volumes are instant. For Topo of curbs, walls, buildings and such, the point cloud is too much. You will need to trace (manual snap) the break lines or use a product such as TopoDOT or Datagram3d. Pix4d can calculate the volume, no need for any extra effort or exporting the data once the point cloud is generated. Pix4D will also automatically generate a contour map that can be exported the DXF.

I have software for processing point clouds, assuming pix4d exports to a .las. Have you done much testing of the pix4d data against conventional methods? I reviewed a few of their case studies, but am curious to hear of real world surveying results.

Thanks!

Here are results from a small topo where I located å±70 points with GNSS via RTK, and also flew it with a drone.

Then processed it with Px4d.

I have an email from our mapping department, reporting on some test results using a new DJI Phantom 4 and Pix 4D

[INDENT]The test project (2.5 ha) consisted of:
- 167 photos with a ground sample distance of approx. 3 cm
- 5 targeted control points, surveyed by Total Station
- 12 check points also surveyed by Total Station
- Aerial triangulation results RMSE:
[INDENT]o Control points (XYZ) metres: 0.009, 0.019, 0.021
o Check points (XYZ) metres: 0.018, 0.022, 0.037[/INDENT][/INDENT]

There was also positive commentary from the pilots about the ease of using the Phantom 4 and about the price.

Forgot to mention I also used a Phantom 4, with Pix4d. Along 4 GCP's using 36" aerial photo targets.
Sorry about the low resolution in he PDF. This site only allows up to 2mb files. The aerial was actual 1" pixels.

Here is a link to a true 3d view. Warning it is tough to navigate the zoom and rotation on this link. Hold your left mouse button while you move the mouse forwad to rotate the 3d rendering.

Here is the topo shown above.
Here area lot of small stock piles, in a sand pit

Phenomenal! Good to see a real world dataset from someone other than the people selling the technology.

Is sketchfab a free service or do you need to subscribe?

Small data sets are free. I pay a yearly fee for Sketchfab account.

leegreen, post: 394053, member: 2332 wrote: Forgot to mention I also used a Phantom 4, with Pix4d. Along 4 GCP's using 36" aerial photo targets.
Sorry about the low resolution in he PDF. This site only allows up to 2mb files. The aerial was actual 1" pixels.

Here is a link to a true 3d view. Warning it is tough to navigate the zoom and rotation on this link. Hold your left mouse button while you move the mouse forwad to rotate the 3d rendering.

Here is the topo shown above.
Here area lot of small stock piles, in a sand pit

What elevation (above ground) do you fly at?

I found Drone Deploy works well for capturing images, and PIX 4d for processing.

I fly at 175ft AGL. I prefer to use the app Map Pilot by www.mapsmadeeasy.com it uses surface model to fly at a constant AGL even when ground elevations change a few hundred feet. It can also account for multiple flights due to battery limits.

But on this project I used Pix4d mobile app with a 70å¡ camera angle. Map Pilot can only use 90å¡ angle. The 70å¡, allows for better building elevations, and captures more data under canopy or overhangs.

Great thread. Thanks to all that have contributed. I have a Phantom 3 Pro and have only used P4d. It's good to hear about other options for both photo processing and mission planning.

Gregg

Hi surveyor85,
I see you already have lots of good helpful info, so I'm a little late. Anyway, here's my take.
If all you care about are stockpile volumes you could work with a DJI Phantom 2, 3 or 4. Starting with the P2 it's the cheapest (check eBay). I have the P3, and I have had good results. With the Inspire 1you could either go with the Zenmuse X3 camera (equivalent to P3 and P4 cameras), but you could also use the Zenmuse X5 camera with the I1. I also have the I1/X5 combination, and while it is overkill (my opinion only) for volumes it is a much better tool for building 3d models. The X5 allows for the use of different lenses, and is in a totally different class of cameras than the X3. The X3, as well as cameras used on the P3 and P4, is more akin to a GoPro.
Be careful though, as drones can become addicting. This I know from experience/lol. I have moved up to the DJI Matrice 600, and a Sony a7 full frame camera in the search for more and more (and bigger) pixels.
Pix4d is very nice software. I have used it, but decided to stay with Agisoft Photoscan Pro. If you are looking to rent software Pix4d has a monthly rent program. Agisoft doesn't offer a rent program, but they have a version of Agisoft Photoscan (non Pro version) available for purchase for something like $200, and you might want to check to see if it will do the stockpile volumes.
Whatever you decide, good luck.

Ben,

I'm interested in the M600 and larger pixel camera with better sensor. What's your experience with that M600 vs the P4?

I have processed data from an Albris with a 38MP camera. Looking to for data from others to test.

Hi Lee,
Still waiting for parts to come in (M600 related parts). Also, hoping DJI can get the approvals to allow their Ronin MX gimbal wireless (connection to the M600 drone) for use in North America. Also, looking for DJI to release the new Ground Station app. I second your vote for Map Pilot app though. I have been using it for at least a year. Up till now, with DJI, about the only software to control photogrammetry flying with anything larger than the X5 camera, though, is to fly waypoint to waypoint with the camera set to shoot an image every so many seconds. Last I checked with Map Pilot their M600 control is for using the X3/X5, but they are hinting they may add other cameras. Looked into using the UgCS software, but backed away.

Ben,

That's what I was thinking would happen. The software is about a 6 months to a year behind the hardware. I'm sure Map Pilot will add the option to change the camera angle and support other gear. Apps like Map Pilot and Pix4D are shipping out major upgrades every 60 days or so.

I'm also testing formerly Acute3d now owned by Bentley Systems and called Context Capture. It does not have as many features as PIx4d for post processing. But it can share the processing across a network of PC's., Similar to the old render farms we used before multiple core processors. Pix4d can only process on one PC at a time. You could breakup the project and merge back after.

leegreen, post: 394081, member: 2332 wrote: Small data sets are free. I pay a yearly fee for Sketchfab account.

I was going to test out Sketchfab and try to upload one of my scans, but I don't see a file format I'm familiar with. What format do you use to upload your 3D models?

Thanks!

I use OBJ format for SketchFab.

How much does pix4d cost?