Hello there,
I am from Greece and recently i learn some basic things about drones, as i am a surveyor i would like to deal with them.
First of all i would like to know some basic things about photogrammetry (can i have a webinar or something else?)
I would like to know about how accurate is a surveying from an image, how to make an orthophoto image and point clouds.
Second i would like to choose a good software to work with the point clouds (any opinions for pix4D) ?
If you would like to learn more about photogrammetry try this book.
It will get you started.
This is a good website too. http://vterrain.org/Imagery/self.html
As far as pix4D is concerned I can’t afford the pro version. It is something like $21,000 (15500 euro).
check this out too. http://uas.trimble.com/ Last time I checked $98,000
Do you want a drone for photogrametry or Lidar?
Photogrametery: Trimble has their model and topcon has been working with eBee on another. I have been talking to a guy who runs a copter (quad, octo, whatever) with some leica camera and a pair of L1 receivers. He says he can calibrate it all before launch and obtain sub-centimeter (not really sure how he can do this).
Lidar: There are three US companies working with Velodyne: LidarUSA, some place in Providence RI and some place in Phoenix AZ. The velodyne HD32 is light enough for a drone and has a good field of vision (about 41 degrees with 32 lasers). Velodyne will soon come out with a 16 laser puck that is projected to be 1/3 the price. I would look at 2 pucks on a quad/octo copter with a novatel GNSS/IMU for a very reasonable lidar drone solution.
I don't know the guys in phoenix, barely know the guys in providence and I purchased a mobile unit from the guys at LidarUSA. If you go for lidarusa, get in touch with Jeff and tell him Thadd sent you. The real bonus: Jeff is a PLS and a smart cookie.
I was working with a different outfit for a mobile unit. They could not answer my questions well. I spoke with Jeff for 30 minutes and he could answer every question I threw at him.
Johnymal~
My suggestion would be to fill in the Question/Search box (Second line down, right hand side of top banner under the Facebook etc. symbols)
Cheers,
Derek
J_Lewis_4 thanks for the book.
spledeus I want a drone for photogrammetry i think lidar is too expensive now for me. The basic idea is to begin working with a drone with camera and after few years of experience going to Lidar.
Did you know how many dollars velodyne VLP-16 or HDL-32E costs?
I trying to find a surveyor that use a drone with camera and seeing accuracy of them in the field.
Also another question why not to use gas with quad, octo, whatever copter, all i have see have batteries.
Gas engines on smaller setups can become problematic because of the vibrations associated. Not impossible, but you will find your vibration dampening and gimbal tweaking will make any flight time gains irrelevant because the photo quality just wont be there.
Any deviations from a sharp clear photo imparts unnecessary errors in your work. Obtaining the highest accuracy SfM (surface from motion) mapping datasets involves the setting and matching of numerous ground control points and subsequent map checking to verify you actually obtained the accuracy you think you have. The accuracy is very dependent upon many factors, including: flying height, # of megapixels in the camera, type of lens used, aperture/shutter speed, vibrations, ambient light, speed of drone, forward and sidelap, etc..
Agisoft Photoscan will give Pix4D a run for its money at about 1/10th the price. They are also willing to give trial licenses(includes exports vs. demo version) for free to try before you buy.
This info seems out of date.
Website shows Pix4D software costs $350 for a month, $3500 for a year, or $8700 one time fee
Are there other costs that they are not showing?
