In just a couple of years, the combination of small UAVs and advanced surveying software has brought about a true paradigm shift in the world of surveyors and civil engineers. Drones are no longer simply being used by marketing departments seeking picturesque aerial photography; today, drone technology is put to a wide range of other valuable processes, such as creating digital elevation models, photogrammetry and topographic mapping.
For example, when combined with a drone like a DJI Phantom 4 and an appropriate imaging application, DatuSurvey photogrammetry software, formerly known as Datugram3D, offers efficiency and accuracy in important ways. Drone pilots using image capture for professional surveying, construction, inspection and infrastructure purposes can automatically input the data they collect into DatuSurvey to streamline their processes. The software provides drone operators a means to manage multiple projects simultaneously, saving them time and enabling them to focus on what they do best.
Advantages of DatuSurvey
Drone Pilots can use DatuSurvey and the Datafly app to improve their work in a variety of ways. UAV operators can use the innovative software to produce geo-referenced 2D and 3D mapping useful in many applications. By implementing DatuSurvey, operators can:
Save Time – The intuitive user interface is simple and highly automated. Using DatuSurvey is a simple five-step process:
- Upload – Images are uploaded and automatically associated
- Optional geo-referencing – Quickly reference images when desired
- Measure and draw – Work with objects directly on images
- Review work for accuracy – Use convenient color-coded system
- Approve and export – Use a variety of outputs to any CAD software
Promote safety – This professional survey-grade software provides precise and reliable measurements through the use of drones. Avoid the tedious and at times dangerous fieldwork that was once necessary to capture essential information. With DatuSurvey, it is possible to cut office time by 30 percent.
Feature hybrid image processing – The software is capable of integrating data from both ground and air images. Among other things, this allows professionals to work around obstructions that have traditionally impeded accurate data gathering in the field.
Provide precise mapping – DatuSurvey can generate 1:250 scale maps with accuracy down to two inches or less. Note the camera selection tips later in this post to ensure you’ll gather the raw data needed to optimize DatuSurvey performance.
Construct 3D models – Because of its capacity to generate topo-points automatically, it is possible to quickly and efficiently construct 3D models, useful in a vast array of applications important to government agencies, businesses and other institutions.
Diverse Applications
DatuGram 3D is useful in a wide variety of civil engineering, surveying and inspection projects including, but not limited to:
- Topographic mapping
- Property surveys
- Utilities infrastructure
- Building facades
- Piping
- Industrial facilities
- Inventory volumes
- Railways
- Roads
- Intersections
Optimizing Data Capture
To take full advantage of DatuSurvey’s capabilities, the use of a high-resolution camera with your drone is highly recommended. A new generation of mirrorless cameras like the Sony NEX-7 often feature CMOS sensors with superior 20-24 megapixel resolution. For surveying purposes, a 20-megapixel image is capable of one-centimeter accuracy at 120 meters. Fixed focal length, wide-angle lenses are often preferred over their wide-angle zoom counterparts, because the simpler optics in a fixed lens transmit more light to the CMOS sensor, and this produces the clearer images so important in surveying and related endeavors. Heavier telephoto lenses and bulky DSLR cameras are disadvantageous in drone image capture.
DatuSurvey automates professional surveying office work and new and important ways. It combines both ground-based and drone images to create geo-referenced 2D maps as well as 3D models. The need for risky fieldwork is minimized and projects are delivered on-time. It improves overall field-to-plan processes, while expanding the capabilities of you and your staff. As a result, DatuSurvey can substantially enhance productivity and profitability.
Camera drones combined with appropriate software promise to bring newfound efficiency to surveyors and civil engineers. DatuSurvey is a powerful tool which can be used by innovative firms seeking to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
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