Façade Best Practices

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Before creating a facade flight plan in DroneDeploy, you must follow specific steps to ensure you capture the necessary data effectively and safely. Below are the best practices to follow:

 

1. Pre-Flight Planning:

   Understand the Site: Know the layout and dimensions of the facade you intend to map. Note obstacles like trees, power lines, or nearby structures.

   - Check Legal Requirements: Ensure you comply with local drone regulations and have permission, especially in urban or populated areas.

 

2. DroneDeploy Setup:

   - Choose the Right Drone and Camera: Use a drone with a high-quality camera and appropriate flight capabilities suitable for urban environments.

   - Update Software: Ensure that DroneDeploy and your drone's firmware are up-to-date.

 

3. Creating the Flight Plan:

   Set Appropriate Altitude: Fly at an altitude that balances detail and safety well. The height of the facade determines this.

   - Optimal Distance: Position yourself between 40 to 60 feet away from the structure to capture the facade without distortion and difficulty in stitching.

   - Overlap and Coverage: Set a high overlap percentage (70-80%) to ensure comprehensive coverage and facilitate better 3D modeling.

   - Multiple Passes: Plan for multiple passes at different angles to capture all aspects of the facade, especially if it has complex features.

   Gimbal Angle: When creating your flight plan, avoid capturing unnecessary structures and focus on your point of interest.

 

4. 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 ready to take manual control.

 

5. Execution of Flight:

   - Calibrate the Drone: Ensure the drone's compass and GPS are calibrated.

   - Monitor Battery Levels: Keep an eye on battery levels and have spares ready.

   - Smooth Operations: Fly smoothly to avoid blurring images. Consistent speed and altitude are critical.

 

6. Post-Flight Processing:

   - Data Upload: Upload your data to DroneDeploy for processing.

   - Quality Check: Check the initial results for coverage gaps or inconsistencies.

 

7. 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 mode.

 

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