I am trying to find the best settings for doing aerial mapping. I understood there are better cameras or even the option to replacel GoPro lens with 5.4mm Peau but I am trying to work with what I have...if possible.
So far, I've been testing with DroneDeploy, even though they say seem to prefer DJI drones.... and maybe that's why my results are not as good as expected.
Here are my settings for attached pics:
*****Tower settings******
elevation 115 ft
speed 15MPH (5m/s) 15MPH --> 22FPS FT PER SECOND) --> set Tower camera trigger = 44ft to be similar to time lapse 2sec interval
overlap =75%
sidelap 75%
Camera= Hero 4 Black (Wide)
****GoPro H4 camera***** set default mode to SINGLE SHOT
set to Single Photo 12MB W
protune = on
iso 400
results: 36 pics @ 234MB
DD prj name: SoloGPH4B_15MPH_115ft_T5_110416
Workflow:
1.Turn ON Solo drone using Solo App. Turn on camera. Attention: do not change camera settings in Solo!
2.Close Solo App and connect with Tower App ( otherwise you get error port /address in use)
3.Editor- Define survey area Attention: extend beyond AOI
4.Click/select area ( at bottom) and edit altitude
5.Upload to drone ( AUDIBLE CONFIRMATION)
6.Upper left --> vehicle data
7.Turn on GoPro H4 and press RECORD button (automatic with gimbal)
8.ARM --> AUTO ( bottom of Tower window) Solo will take off and begin mission ( move towards waypoint 1)
Preview window will show how camera is taking pics at specific intervals ( 2 sec or 44ft )
9. When finished mission Solo will return ( SOLO LANDS AND TURNS OFF ROTORS)
10.Download Tower tlog file from android device
11. Donwload solo.tlog from Solo controller ( not used)
12. Download pics from GoPro
13. Use Mission Planner to geotag pics ( Cntrl + F --> Geotag Images with TimeOffset = 0
use options PreProcess to verify then GEOTAG= final step
pics copied to GeotaggedPics folder
14. Open DroneDeploy and upload images
I have a couple of pics attached (links to google drive- could not attach using forum tools - I get a generic error when trying to ) :
1- GPS points for photos, after uploading to Drone Deploy pic here
2 - comparison of the online mosaic imagery and downloaded georeferenced tif). pic here
Issues:
1- imagery distortion : maybe I need to capture more points?
2- blurry or white spots usually at tree top- is this because I am flying too low? Can not fly under 100ft because of existing trees).
3- will it help usingGoPro 7M Medium FOV ? If so, how do you configure Tower ( what camera do you select)?
4-Is there a better option than DroneDeploy? Drone deploy gives you a 30 day trial that's why I chose them for testing.
I suspect /hope these results can be improved and hoping someone can shed some light. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!
So far, I've been testing with DroneDeploy, even though they say seem to prefer DJI drones.... and maybe that's why my results are not as good as expected.
Here are my settings for attached pics:
*****Tower settings******
elevation 115 ft
speed 15MPH (5m/s) 15MPH --> 22FPS FT PER SECOND) --> set Tower camera trigger = 44ft to be similar to time lapse 2sec interval
overlap =75%
sidelap 75%
Camera= Hero 4 Black (Wide)
****GoPro H4 camera***** set default mode to SINGLE SHOT
set to Single Photo 12MB W
protune = on
iso 400
results: 36 pics @ 234MB
DD prj name: SoloGPH4B_15MPH_115ft_T5_110416
Workflow:
1.Turn ON Solo drone using Solo App. Turn on camera. Attention: do not change camera settings in Solo!
2.Close Solo App and connect with Tower App ( otherwise you get error port /address in use)
3.Editor- Define survey area Attention: extend beyond AOI
4.Click/select area ( at bottom) and edit altitude
5.Upload to drone ( AUDIBLE CONFIRMATION)
6.Upper left --> vehicle data
7.Turn on GoPro H4 and press RECORD button (automatic with gimbal)
8.ARM --> AUTO ( bottom of Tower window) Solo will take off and begin mission ( move towards waypoint 1)
Preview window will show how camera is taking pics at specific intervals ( 2 sec or 44ft )
9. When finished mission Solo will return ( SOLO LANDS AND TURNS OFF ROTORS)
10.Download Tower tlog file from android device
11. Donwload solo.tlog from Solo controller ( not used)
12. Download pics from GoPro
13. Use Mission Planner to geotag pics ( Cntrl + F --> Geotag Images with TimeOffset = 0
use options PreProcess to verify then GEOTAG= final step
pics copied to GeotaggedPics folder
14. Open DroneDeploy and upload images
I have a couple of pics attached (links to google drive- could not attach using forum tools - I get a generic error when trying to ) :
1- GPS points for photos, after uploading to Drone Deploy pic here
2 - comparison of the online mosaic imagery and downloaded georeferenced tif). pic here
Issues:
1- imagery distortion : maybe I need to capture more points?
2- blurry or white spots usually at tree top- is this because I am flying too low? Can not fly under 100ft because of existing trees).
3- will it help usingGoPro 7M Medium FOV ? If so, how do you configure Tower ( what camera do you select)?
4-Is there a better option than DroneDeploy? Drone deploy gives you a 30 day trial that's why I chose them for testing.
I suspect /hope these results can be improved and hoping someone can shed some light. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!
Last edited: