How to produce map? WHat other software should I use?
I created mission and took pictures for map. Now I need to produce the map - but what software to use? Is any free?
Popular Resources
-
<% blocks.forEach(function(block, index) { %>
-
<% if (imageHeight) { %>
<% } %>
<% if (block.name) { %><% if (block.html_url) { %> <%= block.name %> <% } else { %> <%= block.name %> <% } %>
<% } %> <% if (block.description) { %><%= block.description %>
<% } %>
<% }) %>
Comments
6 comments
I have been using WebODM - which gives the option to run on their servers (paid, but they give you credits to get started), your own PC, or create your own version in the cloud. It's all open source and very powerful. Here's a link to get you started with that https://webodm.net/
I use Agisoft metashape, and it takes a while to learn & to produce an orthomosaic
I use OpenDroneMap - it's open source and free to use. You can see an example of the type of orthophoto I produced from my Mini 2 at OpenAerialMap
It's not exactly free, but RealityCapture is free up until it's time to export. When you are sure that you're happy with your image dataset used in a RealityCapture project, you use what is referred to as Pay Per Input, or PPI. The fee structure that is used in licensing the images' indefinite (forever) use in RealityCapture is most reasonable. After the images are licensed, you're free to use them for anything you want to export; e.g., QC reports, orthomosaics, DTMs, etc. All processing is done on your PC (nothing done in the cloud except keeping track of your credits and image licenses) which leverages the power of an NVIDIA GPU, should you have one. There's a wee bit of a learning curve; however, Jakub Vanko's video tutorials are excellent, and their support team is amazing when you are looking for answers and should you get stuck.
The ortho shown in the UI above is from the true ortho DTM projected to grid (epsg:6480) using the textured mesh. There is also an option to create an orthomosaic which uses small sections of the actual drone photos which you can then edit individually region by region.
The PPI cost is tied to the total amount of data that used in a given project. For example, the (237) 12MB images used in my dome experiment cost $1.78 USD. The figure is automatically calculated when you go to complete your first export, or you can calculate the cost manually with their online calculator.
Over the past month or so that I've been learning and testing it, I've found it to be a fantastic program and at a very fair pricing schema. The only thing to remember is to not alter the images in anyway whatsoever including rating them, for example, after they've been licensed for use in RealityCapture.
Whatever drone mapping programs you end up testing and finally deciding on, please post the results of your journey here!
Kind regards,
Kelly
There seems to be two versions both called WebODM. One is called WebODM Lightning, and I believe is the one Barry mentioned about, it is either subscription, or pay as you go. Then the one Rob Alley suggested above also WebODM is free if you can install it manually from GitHub, or pay one time for installer either $57 for Windows, or $57 for iOS. They are both using OpenDroneMap, so it is maybe the front end you are paying the differences for.
Just pointing this out because I had heard a lot about "WebODM" being free, and at that time I ended up at the "WebODM Lighting" page, and couldn't figure out why it was not free as people were saying, and that was not what I wanted. So you may want to check both to see which may be best for your needs. (I do not like subscription models, so would rather pay the $57 once and be done with it. Although the pay as you go may have merit unless you start using it a lot, then the $57 may be cheap.... can't vouch for one over the other as far as performance!
https://github.com/OpenDroneMap/WebODM#readme
Please sign in to leave a comment.