Using Dronelink with Mini 2 to create DEMs?

Edited February 23, 2022 05:32
4 comments

Hello everyone I just bought my mini 2. I plan on buying dronelink and using it for many projects. I was wondering is there a way to create DEM maps or LIDAR cloud maps? Im really interested in making terrain elevation models. Thank you.

Update: I have GIS pro because I am a GIS student, I found out I can do DEM's on there. The clouds are not the best and I haven't figured out 3D yet, ill probably use another software.

Comments

4 comments

FlyinLo
- Edited February 23, 2022 00:56
Hi Nick, welcome to the DroneLink community. You have joined a pretty decent number of people with a similar desire :) DroneLink is the cadilac of autonomous creative flying and it handles autonomous mapping missions as well.

But just so you know, you will have to use Photogrammetry software to actually create DEM Maps and Point Clouds. DroneLink will allow you to plan your flights so image capture will be smooth. There are a number of Photogrammetry Software packages out there from free to very expensive.

Rather than list just a few and leave one out, there is an extensive list for you to review.

https://all3dp.com/1/best-photogrammetry-software/

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Nick Psenicka
- February 23, 2022 01:13
Thank you so much, I appreciate the fast reply. Quick question what would be the best free software for DEM and Point Clouds in your opinion.

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FlyinLo
- February 23, 2022 01:54
Nick,
That is tough to answer. Getting good at photogrammetry takes some practice. The software can vary greatly in the quality of output and the tech savyness to get everything set correctly. There are users on this forum who use WebODM and have good results with it. It is NOT a simple download and install process but you can learn how and do it.

Another factor is how many images you are going to be processing. Some software is free but allows a pretty limited number of photos. There are sofware packages that are perpetual (one time purchase) and some charge a monthly fee.

I tell anyone who asks, start small. If you can't master a 50 image project it will be impossible to manage a 500 or 1000 image project. If you start small, you can try different software, begin to figure out what is going on under the hood and then begin to form a decision on what path you may want to take to step up your game.

Photogrammetry is good on grass, bare earth and creating some really nice 3D models. But if you have vegetation then getting accurate topo datasets will require lidar. I hope this helps a little.
Tim

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Barry Houldsworth Dronelink Expert
- February 23, 2022 04:08
As Flyin stated, there is a lot of variation and he mentioned many of them.

If you are talking strictly free, instead of for a relatively small amount, then the options I would suggest are:
- WebODM - limited only by your hardware, and lots of options on how it can be installed, but it does require some knowledge - unless you buy the windows installer which is a one time fee of (I think ) $57
- 3DF Zephyr free - limited to about 50 images I think
- https://www.measure.com/ - This is a paid service, but they do allow two maps to be processed (using Pix4D) for free each month.
Hope that helps!
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