Onboard DJI Waypoint Missions - Convert and Export to KMZ

There are 2 different workflows to run onboard DJI waypoint missions depending on your drone.

1. Modern Drones Workflow (Air 3 Series, Mavic 3 Series, Mavic 4 Pro, Inspire 3, Mini 4 Pro, M4E, M30)

Convert and export a DJI Waypoints KMZ file from the Dronelink web mission planner and run the mission in the DJI Fly, or DJI Pilot 2 app. The Dronelink mobile app is not required. This method enables Dronelink to provide basic support to run mapping, waypoint, and orbit missions for drones that are not fully supported, due to a DJI SDK limitation.

The detailed instructions below cover the modern drones workflow only.

2. Legacy Drones Workflow (Mavic 2 Series, Phantom 4 Series, Inspire 1 and 2 Series)

Convert a Dronelink mission into an onboard DJI waypoints mission, and run the mission in the Dronelink app. Workflows stays within the Dronelink app, and does not support exporting to a KMZ file.

For legacy drones, see this article for detailed instructions.

Key Details for Modern Drones Onboard DJI Waypoints Workflow

• Supports the following drones:
  • Air 3 and Air 3S
  • Mavic 3 Classic / Pro / Cine
  • Inspire 3
  • Mavic 4 Pro
• Adds onboard support for the following drones that are already supported by Dronelink: 
  • Mavic 3 Enterprise Series 
  • Mini 4 Pro
  • Matrice 4 Series
  • Matrice 30 Series
  • M300 RTK / M350 RTK
• Mini 4K is not supported.
• Supported Mission Types:
  • Mapping, Waypoints and Orbits (with automatic capture)
• Not Fully Supported Mission Types and Actions:
  • Pano, Photo, Hover, Linear Map, Vertical Facades
  • Camera actions at waypoints or on path actions (use automatic capture instead)
• If the DJI app allows the creation of waypoint missions, this workflow is supported.
• Workflow requires using the DJI app to execute the mission, and importing a KMZ file generated by the Dronelink mission planner.
• Importing a KMZ file to the DJI Fly app is complicated and not for everyone.The Dronelink app will not connect to the drone, and running the converte mission from the Dronelink app will not work.
• There will be differences between the original mission and the converted mission. The path will be slightly different, and not all the waypoint actions may work as expected.
• For DJI Fly app drones, a waypoint mission needs to be created in the DJI Fly app, which will be replaced by the Dronelink generated KMZ file. 
• For DJI Fly app missions, interval photos, such as for a map, need to be started manually.
• DJI Pilot 2 supports importing KMZ files.
• For low power RCs with screens, large waypoint missions (over 50+) will experience low performance.

Step 1 - Select Convert to DJI Waypoints Format

Open Mission Plan Settings and Select Convert from the Menu

Select DJI Waypoints

Step 2 - Select Conversion Strategy (Single vs Multiple)

There are 2 options if you have a mission with multiple mission components like the example.

Selecting Single Component will combine the 2 mission components into 1, and in a later step when exporting to a KMZ file, only 1 KMZ file will be generated. This is recommended for drones using DJI Fly.

Selecting Multiple Components will keep the same number of mission components, and in a later step when exporting, 1 KMZ file will be created per mission component. This will require multiple uploads to the DJI app.

Adjusting the Default Waypoint Spacing value will result in a different total number of waypoints for the onboard DJI mission. The preview will display changes.

Step 3 - Finish Conversion

Select Finish Conversion and select where to save the mission plan to.

The new mission plan will have the original plan name with "DJI Waypoints" appended.

Step 4 - Export to DJI KMZ File and Select Drone Model

Select Export from the mission settings menu and then select DJI.

Select the drone model.

If the incorrect drone is selected, the mission will not run in the DJI app.

Select DJI Fly for Air 3, Air 3S, Mavic 3 Classic / Pro / Cine, Mini 4 Pro

Select Export and save the KMZ file for uploading to the drone RC.

Step 5 - For DJI Fly App - Create a Temporary Waypoint Mission

Skip this step for DJI Pilot 2 app.

In the DJI Fly app, a temporary waypoint mission must be created before it can be replaced by the generated KMZ file.

Select the Waypoint button on the left side in DJI Fly, and add several waypoints to create a temporary mission that will be replaced in the next step.

Step 6 - Import KMZ File to DJI App

This step varies depending on the DJI app, DJI Fly vs DJI Pilot 2 and if DJI Fly is on a RC with screen, or an Android mobile device is being used.

For DJI Fly, the KMZ file must be uploaded and replace the temporary file created above in the "waypoint" folder. This can be done either by connecting the RC, or device to a computer, or using a SD card, and following these steps:

1. Find previously created temporary waypoint mission in this folder /Android/data/dji.go.v5/files/waypoint   (use created date to find the right one)
2. Copy file name, and rename generated KMZ file from step 4 to the exact same name.
3. Copy generated KMZ file from Step 4 and replace existing file.

For DJI Pilot 2, the KMZ file can be imported directly. Select "+" and then "Import Route"

Step 6 - Run Mission

Connect drone and open mission to fly.

Additional Details

• Dronelink's mission preview of onboard DJI waypoint missions will not account for waypoint actions in the estimated time, mission may be longer.
• When planning in Dronelink directly using DJI onboard waypoints, panos will use the DJI pano instead of the Dronelink pano. Converted missions will fly the Dronelink pano.

Create Onboard Waypoints Mission Plans Directly

You can use the Dronelink web based mission planner to create missions directly using Onboard DJI Waypoints. From the Create menu, select Onboard Waypoints to mission plan, instead of having to convert a Dronelink mission. Add waypoints and waypoint actions.