The DroneDeploy 3D Animation Tool allows you to create and export professional-quality video fly-throughs of your 3D models. Whether you are presenting a site overview to stakeholders or documenting progress, these tools help you visualize your project from any angle.
Availability: Who has access?
3D Animation Tools are available for all paid DroneDeploy Aerial subscriptions.
The feature is available for any project with a successfully processed 3D model.
Users can access these tools through the web application.
Overview
The animation tool captures a series of viewpoints (keyframes) and connects them into a smooth video path. You can customize the speed, height, and angle of the camera to highlight specific areas of interest on your site.
Key Features
Keyframe Navigation: Set specific points in 3D space to define your camera path.
Smooth Transitions: The software automatically calculates a fluid path between your selected viewpoints.
Export Options: Download your final animation as an MP4 file for easy sharing.
Branding: Final exports include the DroneDeploy watermark for professional attribution.
How to use 3D Animation Tools
Open your project in DroneDeploy. Navigate to the project containing the 3D model you want to animate.
Enter 3D view. Click the 3D button in the top-right corner of the map view.
Open the Animation tool. Click the Animation icon located in the left-hand toolbar.
Set your first keyframe. Position the camera to your desired starting point and click Add Keyframe.
Build your path. Move the camera to a new location or angle and click Add Keyframe again. Repeat this process until your path is complete.
Preview and Export.
Click the Play button to review your animation.
Adjust the duration slider to change the speed of the video.
Click Export to generate the final video file.
Limitations
3D animations are only available for 3D models and do not support 2D map views.
Export resolution is limited to the current browser viewport settings.
The tool does not support the addition of text overlays or music within the DroneDeploy interface.
FAQs
Q: Does 3D Animation work in 3D? A: Yes. The animation tools function exclusively within the 3D view of your processed maps.
Q: Can I share the animation link directly? A: No. You must export the animation as a video file to share it with external stakeholders.
Q: What happens to annotations and overlays? A: Any visible annotations, measurements, or overlays present during the keyframe setup appear in the final video export.
V2.2