Software for drones and UAVs cover a
wide spectrum of possibilities. They range from very basic cloud-based
applications that you download onto your smartphone or tablet, to extremely
sophisticated programs that will allow you to work with all kinds of data from
many sources, including photogrammetry, thermal, hyperspectral, multispectral,
laser, and more. Some programs and packages have a steep learning curve, while
others are intuitive and you can develop basic maps and 3D images within a
matter of hours.
But, let’s start with the basics.
What will you be using your
drone-derived images for? Let’s think
about this a moment. Most drones and UAVs are used to create 3D images and also
to try to detect anomalies. So, what
that means in practical terms is that you’ll need to be able to generate
geo-referenced images that can be moved, manipulated, and rotated for a better
look. You’ll also need to be able to
process data so that the values correspond to different colors, so that any
anomalies really “pop” as in a heat map.
The second most basic issue is that
of storage space and connectivity. If you’re able to use your phone and you
have a good signal, you can take advantage of cloud-solutions and you can
gather a lot more data. If not, you’re going to be stuck with what you can
carry onboard, which means your sampling rate is going to have to go down quite
significantly. It also means that you’re better off with a software package
which allows you to adjust your sampling rate.
Keep in mind that software that
contains pre-prepared applications will limit you, and you may not even know
how you’re being limited. But, unless you’re NASA, a military contractor or a
movie studio, chances are it’s not in your budget to pay millions of dollars for
your drone’s software.
Here are some of the most widely-used
drone software packages. Some are aimed more toward the lighter businesses
uses, and others are appropriate for very demanding commercial applications.
In addition, some of the software
includes flight planning as well as processing of the digital data once it has
been acquired. Are you ready to upgrade your drone? Check out drones for sale.
It is good to keep in mind that for
every day you spend in the field collecting information, you’ll spend at least
two days at your computer in processing the information. You’ll spend even more
if you use the data in the future for additional purposes, such as creating
models for games or building simulations.
DroneDeploy’s UAV mapping software is
often the first mapping software that people use after they buy their first
drone. It offers more tools and options than many of the software packages that
come with the drones, and has the huge advantage of having a free “lite”
version. With DroneDeploy, you can upload your data to the cloud. DroneDeploy
gives you four main categories of images to choose from. Although they may not
provide a wide array of options, they are easy and quick to use.
- Orthomosaics: Georeferenced, orthorectified
- Terrain models: Useful for topographic modeling. The maps have DSMs.
- NVDI analysis: This is a “normalized difference vegetation index” that is used to identify live green vegetation. In this case, it is best to use a multispectral sensor.
- 3D model: DroneDeploy allows you to create rotatable 3D models and also point clouds.
DroneDeploy is widely used in real
estate, inspections, security, agricultural, and event management.
Identified Technologies is a robust
solution for individuals and companies that use the images for construction,
large infrastructure projects, massive inspection activities and more. They
work well for civil and environmental engineers, as well as construction and
project managers. Their programs are ideal for project management because they
allow one to evaluate progress.
For a wide range of industries, with
customized solutions.
- Change Detection Technology (CDT)
- Truck IQ
- Contour Line Map and Orthomosaic
- 3D Volumetric Analysis
- As Built vs As Planned Overlay
- Excavation Progress Tracking
- Highway Construction 3D Model
- Watch Fly Through Video
- All standard mapping formats
- Boomerang
- · 3D Meshes
- · Contours
- · Digital Surface / DSM
- · Orthomosaics
Pix4D is often the program of choice
for individuals and companies that need an easy to use solution that can be
customized for many different uses. They are the favorite of many surveying
companies because of the granularity of the georeferencing. Each 3D point in a
point cloud is georeferenced. Pix4D is very robust and can be used to develop
high resolution maps for commercial, industrial, and personal use.
- Pix4Dmapper Pro: photogrammetry software for professional drone-based mapping
- Pix4Dcapture: Flight planning mobile app for optimal mapping data with your drone
- Android
- iOS
- Sorts most drones // basemaps – Google Earth or ArcGIS
- Can use any handheld camera or drone
- Optimized
- Direct to cloud
- Georeferenced down to each 3D point in the point cloud
- rayCloud editor
- 2D and 3D models, 3D point clouds, digital surface models, and orthomosaics
- Surveying
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Real Estate
Datumate has a number of advantages
for companies and individuals who focus on photogrammetry. Their software is
ideal for surveying and civil engineering purposes. They even have a case study in which they use
drone photogrammetry to create 3D images of a car accident for the report. What
gives their software packages an advantage is ease of use and the fact that one
can process volumetrics without having a constant internet connection. I do not
know if it means that you have to download the package and run it on your
computer or if you are emailed a link to download the solution when it is
ready. In either case, it’s very appealing
- DatuSurvey: Photogrammetry software for land surveying, construction, infrastructure
- DatuSite: 3D mapping software for construction and infrastructure
- DatuFly: Drone app for land surveying and construction
- Site Survey Solution: Surveying suite for civil engineering
Harris Corporation is a multi-billion
dollar company that provides geographical systems support to FAA, NASA and the
U.S. military. They have provided imaging software for satellites for many
years as well. Thus it is no surprise that their software for use with UAVs and
drones is extremely robust and flexible.
Harris provides a wide array of industry-specific solutions, and they
also allow one to integrate additional data sets with theirs, and to
incorporate geographical information data sets from many different sources to
build a robust, multi-layer geographical information system.
The cost of ENVI can be higher than
other solutions, but if you are a company that provides analytical services, it
would constitute the backbone of your business.
Large shipping, logistics, and transportation companies also use ENVI
along with other integrated services.
More Software for a Future Post
Other notable image processing software for georeferenced, 3D, orthomosaics, point clouds, and more. I will review them in a future post.
Other notable image processing software for georeferenced, 3D, orthomosaics, point clouds, and more. I will review them in a future post.
- Agisoft: http://www.agisoft.com/
- Airware: https://www.airware.com/
- PrecisionHawk: http://www.precisionhawk.com/
- Skycatch: https://www.skycatch.com/
Drones for Sale: https://www.wingsland.org/drones-for-sale
