Drone Mapping and Photogrammetry

Drone Mapping for Surveys

Drone mapping and photogrammetry is the process of using drones to capture images that can be used to create detailed maps. This technology is often used for surveying land or inspecting infrastructure.

Drone mapping involves flying a drone in a grid pattern over an area to capture overlapping images. These images are then stitched together to create a high-resolution map.

Photogrammetry is the process of creating a 3D model from photographs. It is similar to traditional surveying, but instead of using measurements to create a map, it uses photos to create a 3D model. This can be done with any camera, but drones are often used because they can take many pictures from different angles quickly and easily.

The photos are then processed by special software that stitches them together to create a 3D model. This model can be used for things like planning construction projects, measuring distances and heights, or studying topography.

Photogrammetry is a useful tool for many different applications. It is accurate and relatively easy to do. It also has the advantage of being able to cover large areas quickly.

Both drone mapping and photogrammetry are relatively new technologies that are revolutionising the way we survey land and inspect infrastructure. They are much more efficient than traditional methods, and can be done without putting people in dangerous situations.

RTK Drones

The accuracy and efficiency of drones has made them the preferred choice for many surveying and mapping applications. RTK drones are particularly well-suited for mapping because they can achieve sub-centimeter accuracy, which is essential for many surveying and engineering projects.

RTK stands for real-time kinematic. This refers to the use of satellite positioning to calculate the drone’s location in real-time. This information is then used to generate highly accurate maps. RTK drones are equipped with special GNSS receivers that are able to receive signals from GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou satellites. RTK drones are used for precise agriculture, mapping, surveying and engineering applications.

Precise agriculture is the use of RTK drones to monitor the health of crops in order to make informed decisions on when to apply fertilisers, pesticides or water.

Zoom into the map over the castle to see the difference in resolution of online satellite mapping compared to the our drone produced mapping. Best viewed on a PC.

"How it works" Drone Mapping

Global Drone Surveys provides fully integrated mapping services for our clients, using the latest technology we are able to produce mapping resolutions down to 1.7cm / px if required. That's up to twenty times higher resolution than online satellite imagery. Most online satellite mapping can be up to four years out of date with major developments and buildings missing.

All our maps are georeferenced and with the inclusion of ground control points the maps are built with a high degree of accuracy.

We can output our data in a number of formats to suit our clients or provide HTML codes for embedding into websites should that be required.

3D Photogrammetry & Drone Mapping files:

Mapping files will be delivered in any of the following Autodesk compatible formats:

JPG (RGB Image)

Available for all 2D layers: 2D Map, Elevation, and Plant Health.
Includes .KML file and .TWF file with the georeferenced metadata.
Easy to share through any standard image software such as Windows Photo Viewer or Preview. Print or use within presentations.

GeoTIFF (RGB Image)

Available for all 2D layers: 2D Map, Elevation, and Plant Health.
Includes a.TWF file with the georeferenced metadata.
File format suited for 2D analysis in GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS.

3D models

(Raw Elevation Values - DEM)

LAS
(Point Cloud)
•las point cloud.
Can be used in AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Global Mapper, Applied Imagery, or similar software.
XYZ
(Point Cloud)
.xyz point cloud that contains RGB information (XYZRGB). Resolution is specifiable.

Most common file format accepted across Construction & Mining software formats.

We also make exports available in the most common
By default, most exports are generated using the Web Mercator projection (EPSG: 3857). This is great for importing into web mapping systems such as Google Earth or Mapbox.

Export Map Projections

spherical coordinate system: WGS84 (EPSG: 4326) This coordinate system is commonly used for more traditional "desktop" mapping tools., as well as OSBG 1936 / British National Grid

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What can Drone Mapping be used for ?

Drone mapping and photogrammetry has number of uses and offers real efficies over trational data collection methods below are some examples of where this is being used to save time and money.

Drone Remote sensing and photogrammetry
Drone & mapping of earthquakes
Surveying & mapping of plane crashes
Surveying & mapping of storms and hurricanes
Tidal mapping
Drone Mapping of industrial zones
UAV Mapping of excavation sites
Surveying & mapping of flooding
Surveying & mapping of train crashes
Photogrammetry
Drone Mapping of the spread of algae
Forestry surveying
UAV Mapping of Vegetation
Mapping sandbar measurements

Precision agriculture
Surveying & mapping of landslides
Surveying & mapping of tsunamis
Agriculture - GIS applications
Arctic research - surveying
Geophysical mapping
Drone Mapping of coastal areas
Surveying & mapping of catastrophes
UAV Surveying & mapping of mudslides
Surveying & mapping of volcanic eruptions
Drone Agriculture – mapping plant growth
Mapping shifts in sandbars

Elevation Mapping

Accurate geo-referenced elevation maps and contour maps including DTM.

These can also be produced with measuring tools which allow for the measuring of earthworks, spoil piles, and stock-taking, with outputs in either metric or imperial.

This provides our clients with fantastic easy to use tools for taking large volume measurements on site, saving both time and money.

Again we can supply these mapping solutions in a number of outputs including web-based with measuring tools and annotations attached for ease of use.

3D Geo Referanced Photogrammetry Models

The photogrammetry 3D models below are interactive and best viewed on a PC or Laptop, these are low-resolution examples for web use. You are able to scroll through the images and turn them as you please. If you would like any more details of how we can help your business or project with our aerial mapping services please don’t hesitate to contact us

Geo-Referenced Drone Survey Roof Reports

The roofing, insurance, and solar industries are undergoing a fundamental change in the way they operate. No longer do you have to spend valuable time manually inspecting roofs to process insurance claims, detect damage, or plan and design solar array installation. Global Drone Surveys use the latest technology that allows our roof inspectors to save time, increase productivity, and improve worker safety by using drones for roof inspection measurements and drone roof reports. contact us for further details