Printing an orthomosaic map?
I plan to run a mapping mission to cover approximately 20 acres. Ultimately I would like to output the map images to a single high resolution image that can be printed on a wide format printer. Done quite a few searches but still not clear on just how to approach this?
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Are you looking for advice on processing the images, or do you have that covered already?
Most systems will let you export a TIFF file, which should be something that any decent print shop should be able to handle.
Hi Barry,
Yep, trying to understand the options for processing the images captured from a mapping mission.
Coming from decades of aerial photography work I obviously have some things to learn about using drones! Some time ago I did work with someone who ran a mapping mission (not Dronelink) and I got back a high resolution image where all the captured images were stitched together in a single large TIFF. I think Pix4D may have been involved, but not sure...
Probably obvious to anyone with experience but my basic question is: "Mission complete: Now what?" :-)
Unable to do any of my own testing until I get a break from current projects.
This is a good starting point
https://vimeo.com/728947826
Tim B, check out WebODM, Its what i use for processing my mapping images
Barry & Martin-
Thanks much for the suggestion and especially for Barry's video. After watching this and other videos the fog is starting to lift and I'm seeing how all the pieces come together. I'll install WebODM and give it a shot.
Couple of follow up questions: I did not see a specific example but I assume, once all the images are processed in WebODM that exporting to a 2D image file is pretty straight forward?
Now you have this amazing 3D model of your client's property. How does the client view it? For example, if different departments need access, how do you accomplish that?
Ok, did some searches before posting and came up with this. Doable but not trivial by any means:
How do I share results with my clients?
Currently the best option is to install WebODM on a public server. You can do this fairly easily using a provider such as DigitalOcean. Once that's done, you can link our processing nodes with your installation of WebODM. Results can be easily shared then.
Also keep an eye for updates on this new DroneDB software we're working on that aims to simplify data sharing of drone data.
Apologies for the brevity of my previous response but I was out at lunch and risking spousal disapproval at the time :)
Exporting from WebODM is pretty straightforward. Once you have finished processing you just click on it to expand and there are options to download the various assets.
Now the video I linked to was for 3D models, but if you just want an ortho photo, then select that option from the dropdown. That is a TIFF file and is much easier to share and work with and should be the response to your original question.
As you have seen, viewing the 3D model isn't that easy - at least not without subscribing to an expensive service. However, the items mentioned do work. You can also use Ageagle Measure Ground Control system which gives you the ability to process two maps per month for free in Pix4D and, crucially, provides a nice viewing tool through that platform. You can see an example of that here (remember to check the 3D textured mesh box.
https://cloud.pix4d.com/dataset/1258166/model?shareToken=0b1ae4d093ec4850a89984fe9238243e
Hope that helps!
Barry,
I haven't come across it in the documentation yet but it's obvious to me that "spousal approval" is a necessary component for any successful mission. :-)
At this time 2D output is my primary need from mapping missions so I'll start there. As mentioned, the low price makes it a no-brainer IMO. Thanks much for the input-- very helpful.
Happy to help.
If you decide you don't want to install WebODM locally, you can upload the files to WebODM.net and they will process them for you for a small fee - I think you get a number of free credits for signing up and that might be enough for your first project or two.
If you do decide to go in that direction I would appreciate it if you used my referral link as I get a bonus for that :)
https://webodm.net/uav_mapping/19634
I definitely agree with using their Lightning cloud servers to process images. I did a comparison versus my server nodes at home, and well, they kick my butt in processing time. : )
Tony-
I'll have to do some tests comparing Lightning vs local install at some point. I'm sure their processing time would be faster, but with this one small map mission and 68 images, it only took 7 minutes or so to process. My guess is that the time it would take to upload the images then download the .tiff would more than offset any speed advantage.
Check with me again when have a mission with hundreds of images.. :-)
Barry,
Done. Glad to.
Tim B - you are exactly right. I was comparing a run with 2100+ pics. My locally well powered server i9 chewed for 18 hours. Lightning cloud turned everything around in 6.
Tony-
2100+ pics 'ay!? Yikes :-)
Sounds like an interesting project. Can you share any details?
Sorry Tim, customers work product. Many of mine are 500 to 2K pictures.
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