Quick 'n Dirty demo of 3D modeling with photogrammetry

[Droning on and on...]

I have no actual experience with photogrammetry.

At lunch with a friend yesterday, who owns a concrete contracting business (built the foundation for the Tesla factory in Fremont in 7 days!), I mentioned that drones can map a site and then software can process the images and produce a 3D model that can be used in CAD programs. He was very intrigued.

Is there a low-cost (free is best ) I could get a waypoint mission together to fly on the A3, then something on line that can turn the images into the 3D model?

Some way to demo this at one of his job sites? This could turn into something, in which case I'll dive in and learn, purchase, and do it right.

Any pointers to on-line resources would be great. I recall someone offering a free tool that will create the grid mission, then use Wes' tools to convert to a DJI Fly waypoint mission, then I need a solution to processing the data that's not a $10,000/yr subscription.

TIA, friends... I did some searching on the forum, but couldn't find what I think I remember seeing posted.

 

[jaja6009]

For Image acquisition this is one way: DJI Air 3 For Photogrammetry - Overview and How To

You can use video in photogrammetry in Agisoft and Pix4D, you just pull frames out of the video, but 4K video equals only an 8MP image, so it will not be the best quality.

There are some other ways too. Manual collection can be done but is a pain and usually works but is not the most consistent in terms of GSD and overlap.

For the processing you have a bunch of options.

WEBODM (I think its free or a ridiculously low price for what it does).
Reality Capture makes great models and okay orthos.

You could also just sign up to any of the following for a free 2 week demo.

Pix4Dmapper
Pix4Dmatic
Pix4Dcloud
Agisoft Metashape Pro
Drone Deploy

Drone Deploy and Pix4D Cloud are your simple upload images and then have cloud processing done. But don't be afraid to dive into a demo for Pix4Dmapper, matic or Agisoft on your desktop, they let you fully control and start to understand what is happening in the background.

One thing to note, large point clouds and models don't like to play nice in different CAD software due to their sheer size.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Thanks @jaja6009!

I'm guessing there's S/W that will convert a point cloud into a triangle mesh?

I'll Google it, but thought I'd be lazy and ask too...

 

[jaja6009]

Thanks @jaja6009!

I'm guessing there's S/W that will convert a point cloud into a triangle mesh?

I'll Google it, but thought I'd be lazy and ask too...

All of the listed solutions above will make a mesh from the point clouds. This file can be huge.

Most people love the triangle mesh as eye candy. I like the point cloud better.

From my personal testing with the same dataset processed with minimal settings changes the various software creating a mesh ranked as:

1. Agisoft Pro
2. Drone Deploy
3. Reality Capture (Maybe it tied with Drone Deploy)'
4. Pix4Dmapper and matic

I wish I had access to Context Capture.

Link to a Mavic 3E project processed on Agisoft Pro, Drone Deploy, Pix4Dmatic and Pix4Dmapper.

J

Thread 'Mavic 3E geometric route vs slope vs Agisoft Mission Planner'

Aug 3, 2024

I finally had a chance to use the M3E's new slope and geometric shape planners.
The slope produced an incredibly detailed facade of a building that could be easily used to inspect the building.
For a full building I would need 4 slope missions and a traditional nadir for the roof or I could manually adjust the last upper flight lines to angle the camera down more.




I next tried the geometric planner and it also made a very detailed model of the building and used 369 images.


My final test will be Agisoft's Mission planner which has you make a low resolution model of the...

• jaja6009
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Mavic 3E

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