Follow these steps to ensure you capture the best possible data when mapping building facades. Facade captures are a type of vertical flight plan optimized for modeling the sides of structures.
Pre-Flight Planning
Understand the Site: Know the layout and dimensions of the facade you plan to map. Note obstacles like power lines, trees, or nearby structures.
Check Legal Requirements: Ensure you comply with local drone regulations and have permission to fly, especially in populated or urban areas. If you are wondering what United States governmental regulations you should be aware of before flying, you should study for Part 107.
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DroneDeploy Setup:
Choose the Right Drone and Camera: Use a drone with a high-quality camera and flight capabilities suitable for urban environments.
Update Software: Ensure that DroneDeploy and your drone’s firmware are up-to-date.
Creating the Flight Plan
When creating your flight plan, aim for high-quality data capture and efficiency.
Set Appropriate Altitude: Fly at an altitude that balances safety and detail well. The height of the facade determines the flight height.
Best Distance: Position the drone between 40-60ft away from the structure. This distance captures the facade without distortion and facilitates better stitching.
Overlap and Coverage: Set a high overlap percentage, between 70%-80%, to ensure comprehensive coverage and facilitate better three-dimensional (3D) modeling.
Multiple Passes: Plan multiple passes at different angles to capture all aspects of the facade, particularly if it has complex features.
Gimbal Angle: When creating your flight plan, focus on your point of interest and avoid capturing unnecessary structures.
Mission Chain: You can create mission chain facade inspections. To get a perfect 3D model, we recommend chaining four facades plus enhanced 3D of the entire structure and uploading them together.
Safety and Risk Management
Visual Line of Sight: Always keep the drone within your line of sight and be aware of its surroundings.
Avoid Interferences: Be cautious of signal interferences in urban environments and be ready to take Manual Flight control.
Execution of Flight
Calibrate the Drone: Ensure the drone’s Global Positioning System (GPS) and compass are calibrated.
Monitor Battery Levels: Keep an eye on battery levels and have spares ready.
Smooth Operations: Fly smoothly to avoid blurring images. Consistent altitude and speed are critical.
Post-Flight Processing
Data Upload: Upload your data to DroneDeploy for processing.
Quality Check: Check the initial results for coverage gaps or inconsistencies.
Mobile Upload: After the flight is complete, you are offered the chance to mobile upload your images. Mobile upload uploads your vertical flight and starts processing automatically. You can also upload by accessing your project from the web and selecting the Upload tab.
Regular Updates and Training
Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated with the latest DroneDeploy features and drone regulations.
Continuous Learning: Regularly practice and enhance your piloting skills, especially in Manual Flight mode.
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