How to pre-plan a truck down the roof ridge sequence.
I have a KML file with the outline of a building. Not that hard to recreate I suppose, but I'm trying to import the file provided by the client and create the mission using the imported outline. What information I can find keeps referring to a PATH but I don't see a path component (Growth plan). I tried Linear Map but that seems to assume you want to take 90 degree down shots with front and side overlaps. I saw some comments about using the Facade. I can see where that might work but is that overkill? Is there an easier way? I see there is an option for "trucking" in the in-flight mode. I will explore that, maybe I'm overcomplicating the sequence but I would like to have as much of the mission automated and pre-planned as possible.
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It is probably well-known, but being new to this I should add the shots need to be X feet above the path, Y feet horizontally away, and gimbal set to -40 degrees and they have to overlap.
It would be useful to know what type of drone you are using.
I am assuming that you have a sloping roof and are trying to create a mission that follows the roof line down - is that correct?
I'm using the M3E. Yes, in this case the building looks like a large barn, sloped roof, mostly rectangular but some interesting turns at one end. I suppose other use cases are commercial building where the roof is flat.
In either case, fly a path around the perimeter of the building, X number of feet above the roof edge and Y number of feet offset from the roof - gimbal down 40 degrees. Take overlapping photos every Z feet. At least that's my understanding - fumbling my way into roof inspections.
OK.
Unfortunately the mapping components are designed to follow either a flat path or a path that follows terrain, it does not follow the slope of a roof.
Similarly the facade component is designed to handle vertical paths.
You could manually create paths using the waypoint feature but that would be tedious.
If you have an RTK module then another option would be to use the "slope route" feature that is built into Pilot 2. You can learn how to do that here: https://youtu.be/E8ZKPqnOA0o
Thanks for the information. I am not trying to follow the slope vertically up and down, I am trying to follow the perimeter outline of the building horizontally (well slightly above and offset). It is like a facade in that you track down the line but you would only make one pass, unlike a facade where you would make multiple passes changing altitude as you go.
AI / Google searches keep coming with a Path component. Did that used to be a thing?
Ah! Then yes, Dronelink can do that. Use the facade component, it allows you specify distance from the target, overlaps, etc. and if you specify the same start and end altitude then it will just do one pass around the building.
You can see how to set up a facade here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM7PmiXaeWo
Awesome! Thanks for the information, and thanks for being around on a Sunday afternoon to answer newbie questions!
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