How to use 2D GPS Capture with 3D Scan

2D GPS Capture gives you the ability to preplan your flight using a top-down map view. Navigate to the scan location on the map and place area bounds to outline the area. Your drone will fly in a lawnmower pattern to capture the scene. Use 2D GPS Capture when you need to scan large areas, such as rail yards or large construction sites, and when you expect to use more than one battery.

Quick Steps

Before starting a scan, you will need to change the operating mode from Skills to 3D Scan. The operating mode will persist through power cycles.

To change operating modes:

Step 1 - Navigate to Device Settings > Drone > Vehicle Mode
Step 2 - Select 3D Scan
Step 3 - Confirm Reboot Skydio will automatically reconnect to your controller and mobile device after rebooting
Skydio will automatically reconnect to your controller and mobile device Ensure your Logs Card has been formatted before starting a scan
Step 4 - Select Start Scan and Agree to the disclaimer, acknowledging that you will comply with all relevant laws and FAA regulations.

Before you fly:

GPS is required in this scan mode.
If you will be scanning in locations that do not have an internet-enabled Wifi connection, you must import the map beforehand. Read the Download Maps sections of the Skydio 2/2+ or Skydio X2 Enterprise Operator Manuals for more information.
Previously downloaded maps will automatically load when you select 2D GPS Capture as your scan mode.
If needed, you can move backwards and re-do any steps in the workflow. Doing so will reset the steps you have already completed and discards any media that has been captured. You will not be charged for discarded media.

To use 2D GPS Capture:

Move through the scan workflow using the Skydio 2/2+ Controller or Skydio Enterprise Controller. The workflow pane will collapse when you are prompted to manually fly and the app will display available Controller shortcuts.

Step 1 - Select Scan Mode

Select 2D GPS Capture
Use the right shoulder button to select Begin

Step 2 - Name Scan Site (optional)

The default scan name is composed of the scan mode you select followed by a UTC timestamp. Renaming the scan will replace the scan mode.

Ex: GPS_Capture__2021-05-20T19-50-55.135854+00-00

[info] Scan names must use American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) characters. Unicode characters such as à, é, â, ü, ö, ä and the following symbols will be converted to underscores (_) in the scan directory name: < > : ; , \\ | ? * & $ { } ` “ [/info]

Step 3 - Launch

Select and hold the LAUNCH button to begin your flight. The drone will automatically climb to 16 ft (5 m) and hover.

Step 4 - Set Boundary Points

By default, a 328 ft x 328 ft (100m x 100m) polygon will automatically appear on your screen. Adjust the boundary points by dragging the green dots to surround the area you wish to scan.

Move the entire polygon around the map using the arrows
Add more boundary points by tapping the plus (+) on the white lines
Press and hold a boundary point to remove it

By default, GPS coordinates are visible on the map view. When enabled, coordinates are shown for the:

Launch Point
Crosshair
Location of the drone

To enable or disable GPS coordinates on the map view:

Navigate to Device Settings > Phone
From the Phone menu, select On Screen Display
Tap to toggle Coordinates on or off

Step 5 - Review or Edit Scan Settings

You must have at least five photos to begin a scan.

In a 2D GPS Capture, the Height is relative to the launch.

Scan settings persist across scans of the same scan mode
Editing the scan settings will impact the total flight time, number of photos and the required number of batteries.
The blue line shows the path the drone will take during the scan

Select Edit Settings and tap the Reset button in the top right corner to restore settings to defaults.

Editing the scan settings will impact the total flight time, number of photos and the required number of batteries.

If you enable the Perimeter setting, you have the option to specify the number of photos taken.

By default, Skydio will capture 36 photos when the Perimeter is enabled

CS_3DS_2DGPS_UI_media_review_settings2.1.png

Perimeter enabled

CS_3DS_2DGPS_UI_crosshatch_enabled1.1.png

Crosshatch enabled

[note] The camera gimbal pitch represents the angle below the horizon. [/note]

Step 5 - Launch and Begin Scan

The planned flight path will turn from blue to green as the scan progresses.

Switch between the map view and the live camera feed by selecting the map icon in the top right of the screen

You may pause at any point during your scan.

Skydio will display how many photos have been captured
While paused, you have the option to manually capture photos using the right shoulder button

Step 6 - Scan Complete

The drone will automatically fly to the launch location upon completing the scan.

Starting a new scan will prompt you with an option to save or discard the scan you just completed
If you Return to Launch, Skydio will first fly laterally until it is above the Launch Point and then move vertically to reach it

After landing, you will see a summary of the most recent scan and the option to save or discard the scan you completed.

Select Save and wait for the drone to process your scan. This is an important step to ensure your media is grouped by scan and can be viewed in the Edge Model Viewer.

Once processing is complete select Finish.

[tip] Check Save to Scan Library to save this scan location and settings for future use. Read How to save and repeat a 2D GPS Capture for more information. [/tip]

[caution] Do not remove the battery or power off during any post-flight tasks. Doing so will result in loss of data. Do not power off or disconnect from the drone until you return to the Begin Flight screen. [/caution]