Step 1 - Capture images with Skydio 3D Scan

Step 2 - Upload images to 3rd party photogrammetry provider

Tips and best practices

For complex scenes, higher overlap and sidelap should be used if your intention is to create a 3D model, while lower overlap is suitable for inspection purposes. We recommend a 70-80% overlap and sidelap. The more complex the scene, the more overlap and sidelap is required for successful reconstruction.

Read 3D Scan Settings Overview for product-specific GSD tables and example use-cases. You can also find these tables in the 3D Scan Operator Manuals.

For more use-case examples, check out our eBook series, Enterprise Drone Inspection: Picking the Right Platform.

Increasing these percentages leads to longer scan times and an increased number of photos but more detailed reconstructions.

Tips and best practices

When you want greater detail - or higher resolution - in your scan photos, decrease the GSD value. For example, if your goal is to capture a crack in a bridge and later create a 3D model using a third-party photogrammetry software, try setting a 1 mm GSD with 80% overlap and 80% sidelap.

The GSD value varies depending on your use-case, and the minimum and maximum surface distances vary depending on the type of drone you have.

Read 3D Scan Settings Overview for product-specific GSD tables and example use-cases. You can also find these tables in the 3D Scan Operator Manuals.

For more use-case examples, check out our eBook series, Enterprise Drone Inspection: Picking the Right Platform.

Tips and best practices

It is beneficial to review and occasionally remove some of your scan photos before starting the reconstruction process. For example, if you have scanned a tower and there are one or more photos where the tower is not the main focus of the photo or off-center, consider removing that photo from your dataset.

Remove images that contain:

• Too much sky
• Wide, open, and featureless backgrounds
• Smooth surfaces
• Bodies of water

Step 1 - Start new project

Login to DroneDeploy and navigate to your dashboard.

Open an existing Project if you have one, or select the blue + Project button to start a new project.

Step 2 - Select images for upload

Navigate to the Upload tab within your Project on DroneDeploy Web. For 2D/3D Scans you should select Map or Model.

Select the JPG images you’d like to upload.

You can optionally rename the map.

Read How to access 3D Scan data for more information on how to retrieve your scan photos.

Step 3 - Upload images

In this step, you have the option to adjust the scan location on the map and review, remove, or add images before you begin uploading.

If your account is permitted to do so, you have the option to add Ground Control Points on your map. Visit the DroneDeploy support website for more information about Ground Control Points.

Once you’re satisfied with your settings, select Upload Images.

A processing estimate is available at time of upload. You will receive an email once your photos have finished processing.

Step 4 - View your model

After your photos have uploaded and processed, navigate to the Model button at the bottom center of your screen. Here you can view the reconstructed model of the scene or structure you scanned.

Use the Inspect button to view your model from the camera point of view.

Inspect view

Step 5 - Analyze

DroneDeploy offers a range of 2D/3D tools to analyze, including true 3D measurements and annotations. Inspections/issues can be synced directly to other third-party software you use.

You may also export various formats of your processed dataset to bring the data into nearly any system you require.

DroneDeploy tips and best practices

If you are flying using DroneDeploy you must exit 3D Scan to regain access to Flight Skills. To exit, first land the drone. Navigate back to the Device Settings Menu and change the Vehicle Mode to Skills.

Step 1 - Download Bentley ContextCapture

Login to your account and ensure you have Bentley ContextCapture downloaded.

Step 2 - Start the ContextCapture Engine

After installing ContextCapture, open the ContextCapture Engine before starting your project.

Step 3 - Open ContextCapture Master

Select New project and name your project.

Step 4 - Upload your photos

Locate the gray Photos tab in the middle screen and select Add photos to upload your scan photos.

Read How to access 3D Scan data for more information on how to retrieve your scan photos.

Your photos will show up as one photogroup, which means they are assumed to have the same calibration. In the 3D View tab you can spot check the initial positions as reported by the photo EXIF metadata.

At the bottom of your screen, ensure the height reference is set to sea level.

Step 5 - Aerotriangulation (photo alignment)

Navigate to the General tab. On the right of the screen, select the button that says Submit aerotriangulation > Process with ContextCapture Engine.

Specify your aerotriangulation settings. We suggest checking the box to enable Photo positioning metadata. Leave the other settings as default.

You may also enable Use pose metadata for SfM.cfg which will take advantage of the position and rotation of your scan images and provide more accurate results.

Select Submit when you are satisfied with your settings and wait as aerotriangulation processes.

Step 6 - Review the results

The General tab will notify you if some photos failed. You can review failed photos by selecting View acquisition report.

In the 3D View tab you can view the aligned poses and keypoint surface patches. There are also visualizations that outline coverage and resolution on the left side of your screen under the chart icon.

Step 7 - Begin reconstruction

On the General tab, select New reconstruction > 3D Reconstruction in the bottom right.

Navigate to the Spatial framework tab. On the right of the screen you will see a preview of the reconstruction.

In the toolbar at the top, select the box with a pencil in it. Here you can adjust the faces of the reconstruction volume with the left mouse button.

[note] Extra large models may exceed your computer memory. Use Adaptive Tiling to subdivide the reconstruction area and meet target memory usage. Find this setting, and other tiling options, in the Spatial framework tab. [/note]

By default, it will be much larger than desired. Repeatedly close in the faces, rotate, and zoom in until you have a tight volume around the photo locations that roughly corresponds to the scan volume set in flight.

This is an important step as it will result in a cleaner model and greatly reduce the runtime and memory requirements.

We suggest leaving the Processing Settings set to defaults.

When you are ready to begin, navigate back to the General tab and click Submit new production > Process with ContextCapture Engine.

With ContextCapture, a production is the final end asset you want to create which can be an OBJ mesh, point cloud, or orthomosaic.

Step 8 - Wait for the production to finish processing

It is normal for this process to take a long time, especially when compared to the aerotriangulation step.

Step 9 - View your model

After your production has finished processing, you can view your model in the 3D View tab.

Bentley ContextCapture tips and best practices

If you notice failures in your model, try enabling the Structured Aerial Dataset setting during the aerotriangulation step.

Step 1 - Ensure you have downloaded the PIX4Dmapper

In order to begin processing photos, you must use the PIX4Dmapper. Download and follow the installation steps to get started.

Step 2 - Start a new project

Launch PIX4Dmapper and select New Project.

Name your project and specify where you would like it to be saved. Select Next when you’re ready to move on.

Step 3 - Upload images

Upload the JPG files of your scan.

After uploading, a window called Image Properties will open and automatically load the geotag information from the scan photos. Under Geolocation and Orientation, select From File... and upload the Pix4D_geolocation.csv file from your scan folder. Ensure the file format is Latitude, Longitude, Altitude.

[note text="This file may appear as an Exel file in your scan folder."]

Read How to access 3D Scan data for more information on how to retrieve your scan photos and the PIX4Dmapper metadata file.

You will have the option to adjust the image property and the output coordinate system settings.

Skydio X2 Color / Thermal users: 

[note text="During this step you must edit the Selected Camera Model setting to ensure PIX4Dmapper recognizes the correct camera focal length. Select Edit > Estimate from EXIF."]

Step 4 - Choose your template

Select 3D Models if you are processing a 3D Capture.

Leave “Start Processing Now” at the bottom right of the screen unchecked. Select Finish.

Step 5 - Choose settings to process photos

Your images will automatically load into the map.

In the bottom left of your screen, click the settings gear that says, Processing Options.

In the bottom left, check Advanced. Two more setting tabs will appear at the top. Select Matching. Under Matching Image Pairs, ensure Free Flight or Terrestrial is selected. Check the box that says Use Geometrically Verified Matching under Matching Strategy. 

Ensure that Initial Processing and Point Cloud and Mesh are selected. Click OK. 

Once you have finalized the settings and template, select Start in the bottom left and wait as PIX4Dmapper processes your images.

You will see red dots that represent your scan capture points. The dots will change from red to green as the images are processed.

PIX4Dmapper will display a Quality Report of your model. This includes information such as:

• A summary of the project
• Quality checks for images, camera optimization, matching, and georeferencing
• Calibration details
• Geolocation details

(Optional)

If you plan to upload your Pix4Dmapper mesh to Pix4Dcloud, an offset.xyz file is required. 

To create this file, select the Calibration tab within the Processing Options menu.

Under Export select Camera Internals and Externals, AAT, BBA.

Step 6 - View the model

Click anywhere on the structure to view all photos containing that point.

If you’d like to view the model without the Calibrated Cameras view, navigate to the left sidebar and uncheck Cameras under Layers.

Step 1 - Download RealityCapture

Login to your account, download RealityCapture and follow the necessary steps for acquiring a license.

Step 2 - Upload your images

After opening RealityCapture, navigate to the top ribbon and find the Workflow tab. Within this tab, you’ll see a section labeled 1. Add Imagery. Choose one of the following ways to add your photos:

• By clicking Inputs under the Workflow tab to add one or more images
• By clicking Folder under the Workflow tab to add photos from a folder
• By dragging and dropping from your device into RealityCapture

Read How to access 3D Scan data for more information on how to retrieve your scan photos.

You can change your window views by selecting one of the icons at the top of your screen. Alternatively, change views by navigating to Workflow > Application > Layout. Learn more about the RealityCapture interface here.

Step 3 - Align images

Under the Workflow tab, find the section labeled 2. Process and click Align Images.

Wait as this step completes. After your photos have aligned, you will see a basic point cloud of your data with calculated camera positions.

You may notice excess data in your point cloud. Remove it by cropping the areas outside of your reconstruction region. Move the bounds to fit your area or structure.

To do so, click on Scene 3D at the top of your screen and find Set Reconstruction Region at the far left. To manually drag the bounds, click on the gray box and drag the colored dots to your desired locations.

Step 5 - Begin reconstruction
Navigate back to the Workflow tab. Find the section titled 2. Process and click Calculate Model to show a drop-down menu with processing quality options.

You may also navigate to the Mesh Model tab and select Create Model.

Choose from Normal Detail or High Detail to create your reconstruction.

When you’re ready to begin building your model, click Start.

Step 6 - View model

Check out Capturing Reality tutorials for more detailed information on tools for filtering unwanted parts of your model.