Autonomous Mission Planning For 3D Mapping / Photogrammetry Tutorial For The DJI Mavic 3 / Pro / Classic

[jaystechvault]

Hello all,
I have compiled an extensive tutorial about flying large scale mapping and photogrammetry missions fully autonomously specifically on the Mavic 3 family drones (without SDK). This works on all 3 variants. The Mavic 3 (original), Mavic 3 classic, and Mavic 3 pro. This tutorial relies heavily on the in-built waypoints feature on the Mavic 3. I have also attached a general tutorial video for the Mavic 3/Air 3/Mini 4P, however this post is specifically for the Mavic 3 and its RC's.

1. Create and save at least 1 waypoint mission on your RC

2. Generate a flight / mission plan using https://www.waypointmap.com (free tool I made)
Tools to make a flight plan:

Move tool
Move around the map

Polygon selection tool
Make a selection for an area to map

Individual waypoint tool
Add an individual waypoint, good for more complex flights/ controlling travel.

POI (Point of interest) tool
Will generate points looking at the center of the circle at ground level.

These tools are located in the top center of the map

For the circle and polygon once you draw them you need to generate the points:

(Click on the shapes with the hand/move tool)

You can make some crazy combinations/flight plans as well as edit each point by clicking on it with the hand tool.

When you are done click on the green "download KMZ file" at the bottom of the page:

3. Install the mission plan into your drone
DJI RC Pro or (DJI RC-N1 w/ Android):
Note: For DJI RC if you have a MAC you will need to install Android file transfer to access your RC's files: Android File Transfer

Plug your RC 2 into your computer and navigate to

Pick the newest folder with random letters.

Replace the kmz file with the downloaded one.

The downloaded and renamed kmz file should match the old one (match folder name with the extension .kmz)

DJI RC-N1 w/ Apple Device:
Download the file:

Save to files > On My iPhone > DJI Fly > wayline_mission > (There should be a folder named a random string of numbers and letters)

I usually pick the newest folder with random letters.

There should be a file with the ending .kmz in this folder, you want to replace it with this generated/downloaded one from WaypointMap.

The downloaded KMZ file should be renamed to match the folder name with the extension ".kmz".

DJI RC Controller

Move the kmz file to an sd card then insert it into your rc on the bottom.

I ran out of pictures I can post but this video link will pickup exactly at this point:

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4. Select the mission plan
For this you just select the most recent waypoint mission you flew earlier. It should import all of your generated waypointmap points into the fly app. Then you just hit go.

Make sure to click next then go.

5. Fly the mission
If you are using the free version of WaypointMap you just need to enable the timed shots feature on your drone. So it will automatically take pictures as you fly through the mission. Make sure you click this as you start your mission.

6. Generate the point cloud
I personally prefer WebODM because it's free to install (if you know Linux)
WebODM Site: WebODM Drone Software - OpenDroneMap™
Great tutorial video for installing:


General Tutorial video for Mavic 3 family/Air 3/Mini 4 Pro:

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[wco81]

Maybe a YouTube of this tutorial?

But great resource!

 

[jaystechvault]

Maybe a YouTube of this tutorial?

But great resource!

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[alanj49]

I have tried to register with https://www.waypointmap.com but am not getting the confirmation email

 

[jaystechvault]

I have tried to register with https://www.waypointmap.com but am not getting the confirmation email

what email are u using? Ill check

 

[alanj49]

My email is [email protected]

 

[jaystechvault]

My email is [email protected]

You should be able to log in now

 

[alanj49]

Yes, I have just logged in, many thanks..just got to learn it all now

 

[Leslie-s]

Hello, I have joined mavicpilots and bought the premium version up grade.
I went to waypoint missions and created a 4 point polygon. I filled in the blanks for height and changed it from
meters to feet. Changed the gimbal angle to -90 and clicked on the return to home when finished.
I cannot figure out how to pick it to create cross flight lines or How I get to where it shows the box to save it.
What am I doing wrong ?

 

[anna.mcs]

Hello, this looks like a great resource for autonomous missions, filling in the gap where DJI had a huge oversight in my opinion. I'm hoping to fly and map a relatively large area, where the mission will take more than one battery. Do you know if the mission will resume where it stopped when I return the drone to home to change out the battery?

 

[BigAl07]

Hello, this looks like a great resource for autonomous missions, filling in the gap where DJI had a huge oversight in my opinion. I'm hoping to fly and map a relatively large area, where the mission will take more than one battery. Do you know if the mission will resume where it stopped when I return the drone to home to change out the battery?

I am curious about this as well. I'm sure @jaystechvault can give some input here.

 

[jaystechvault]

Hello, this looks like a great resource for autonomous missions, filling in the gap where DJI had a huge oversight in my opinion. I'm hoping to fly and map a relatively large area, where the mission will take more than one battery. Do you know if the mission will resume where it stopped when I return the drone to home to change out the battery?

No but you can set which waypoint to start at in the rc ui. I just look where it ended and restart at that waypoint.

 

[jephoto]

I didn't know you can do mapping with the M3 as its electronic shutter only and limited by no 3rd party software.
Am I wrong?

 

[DJ Wes]

I didn't know you can do mapping with the M3 as its electronic shutter

An electronic shutter will not prevent you from taking photos for a mapping mission.

and limited by no 3rd party software.

While the Mavic 3 cannot be flown using 3rd party software the method described in this thread is just using 3rd party software to design the mission. You still fly the mission using DJI Fly.