Calibrate Elevation

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Calibrate Elevation Access
The elevation calibration is available to all Lite, Individual, and Enterprise customers. Learn more about our subscription plans or start your free trial today.

Understanding Elevation Data

Elevation maps within DroneDeploy are created using standard geo-referenced information embedded in your drone imagery. The elevation data displayed is the absolute elevation in WGS 84.

However, the elevation data from the drone can have some errors due to the error in the drone's GPS and variations in barometric pressure, which DJI also uses to assess altitude. To correct this error or to view your elevation data in a different ellipsoid, you can use Elevation Calibration to enter the known elevation at a point to correct the elevations within your map. Continue reading this doc to learn how.

Please Note:
When we are using the absolute altitude from the drone's GPS, there is room for significant variation in elevation values. That’s because DJI blends the GPS elevation with the barometric pressure to get an estimate of the altitude. This means that if there is a temperature difference, then the drone will register a different absolute elevation. This is the reason we implemented the elevation calibration tool, as we can’t rely on the absolute altitude from DJI.
Learn more about elevation and accuracy
Please take a look at our Elevation Toolbox guide to learn more about DroneDeploy's elevation map. For the most accurate results, we recommend processing your map with Ground Control Points.

Calibrate Elevation Data within DroneDeploy

In this tutorial, we'll be looking at the Example Data from the How to Process Datasets documentation.

  • To start, click on the Map Details button on the side panel.

  • Then, select Calibrate under the Map Tools section.

  • Drag the calibration icon to a point on the map where you know the elevation. This could be a GCP marker, take-off point, or another recognizable point/feature on the map for which you know the elevation.

  • Finally, enter the known elevation of the point in the custom elevation bar, and click Calibrate.

You'll see a confirmation message at the bottom of the screen confirming that the elevation map has been updated.

All elevation data associated with the map will be adjusted using the difference between the default elevation and the entered calibration elevation of that specific point. The results would be reflected in the elevation histograms, elevation visualizations, measurements, and exports.

Calibrate a Ground Control Point map
If you have processed a map with GCPs, you can also calibrate the elevation values after the GCP processing. This may be necessary if you have processed your map in a coordinate system that uses a different base ellipsoid (common in the UK and Australia). Please review our Processing GCPs with DroneDeploy guide to learn how to add GCP to your DroneDeploy maps.

Remove the Calibration

To remove the calibration and return to the default elevation values relative to the drone's takeoff point, click on the trashcan icon next.

A confirmation message will show up confirming that your elevation calibration has been removed.

Enjoy your calibrated elevation map!

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