New user - Mavic Mini

HoHo-Mini 3

Hi…relatively new to the drone hobby with a Mavic Mini, and looking to advance into photogrammetry and 3D modeling of some rural property I own.

 I purchased Elite plan over the weekend, but some features like AGL while mapping (apparently that’s “Terrain” as opposed to AGL) don’t seem to be available in what I thought was the full kit hobbyist version.  Still exploring how to get the images I need, but don’t really know from experience yet how limiting/or not those "missing" features will be.  I get mapping relatively flat sites and did a test this weekend that, for a first try, worked really well.  I used WebODM and Maps Made Easy, the latter produced slightly better results but again this was a first test and I clearly can do better on the capture. 

Here’s my question, am I going to be able to get a decent (again, not professional) level of 3D mapping of the terrain and eventual buildings with the elite version and a Mini?  The property is around 20 acres and has 30’ drop in a critical 3 acre area I'd like to map and model. I’d like to get a 3D view model of the target area and do some virtual site planning, etc. Overall there's 150’ of slope from highest to lowest elevation.  I don't live nearby the property, so getting a good 3D model to play with virtually (in Sketchup, etc) while planning will be helpful.  I already have a full tree mapped survey with CAD and KML files.  

I want to get the best imagery possible with my mini on my next visit, and don’t know if I should try any other options out there (that support the mini) or if I’m just a learning curve or two away from getting Dronelink to do everything I need.

Thanks for any advice on the journey!

DL

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  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    In general, to get the best images, you need to fly lower and slower. The purpose of terrain following is to:

    1. Avoid running into the ground when mapping areas with large elevation changes
    2. Ensure consistent GSD of the images, again when mapping areas with large elevation changes

    If you don't have access to terrain follow and your GSD requirements aren't that stringent, you can just break up your map into multiple parts and fly them at an altitude relative to well chosen take-off points.

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