Snapshot

Overview

The Snapshot feature allows you to instantly capture exactly what you see in DroneDeploy, creating a crystal-clear image with just one click. It is designed for speed, simplicity, and real-world sharing across platforms like email, Teams chat, Procore RFI, and customer updates.

Unlike traditional exports, Snapshot captures the exact view you have on your screen—including any basemaps, overlays, PDFs, DXFs, annotations, and measurements.

Availability

Snapshot is available for the following users and platforms:

• Access: It is available for all paid DroneDeploy Aerial subscriptions.
• Views: It is available in both 2D and 3D map views.
• Platform: It is included for both web and mobile platforms (feature parity may vary).
• Natively: Snapshot natively works on Ground Maps.

How to use Snapshot

Follow these steps to access and navigate the Snapshot tool:

1. Open your project in DroneDeploy. Navigate to the map or 3D model you want to capture.
2. Frame your view. Zoom, pan, rotate, and toggle layers as desired. Snapshot will capture exactly what you see.
3. Open the Snapshot tool. Click the Snapshot button located in the top-right map controls.
4. Markup (optional). Add arrows, text, boxes, or revision clouds directly in Snapshot. Use undo as needed.
   
   
5. Export your Snapshot. Save as an image file (PNG/JPEG) or copy to clipboard for immediate sharing.

Key features

This section details the primary functionality and tools within the Snapshot feature.

Instant, visual map capture

Snapshot provides fast, shareable visual exports.

• Export just the portion of the map you need—no full orthos required.
• Capture basemaps, overlays, PDFs, DXFs, annotations, and measurements.
• Rotate your ortho to align with plan north (or any custom orientation) before capture.
• Instant rendering—what you see is what you get, instantly.

Markup tools built in

The tool includes simple, non-destructive markup features.

• Add markups with a Pen tool and change the color.
• Add Arrows.
• Add Text.
• Add Boxes and revision clouds directly in Snapshot before export. Revision Clouds follow AEC industry standards (similar to Bluebeam, CAD, Revit).
• Copy Snapshot to your clipboard.
• Save your Snapshot to your computer.
• Undo button makes markups easy and non-destructive.

Share anywhere

You can share the Snapshot with common communication and construction management tools.

• Save the image locally to your device.
• Copy directly to clipboard for instant pasting into: Outlook, Teams, iMessage, Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, and any RFI or coordination tool.

DroneDeploy branding

Every Snapshot includes a small “Captured with DroneDeploy” watermark to maintain context while gently reinforcing source attribution.

Document metadata for traceability

Each Snapshot automatically embeds key project metadata into the image for traceability.

• Project Name
• Capture Date (date of drone capture, not Snapshot creation)
• Map Scale
• Map Rotation (if applicable)

When and why to use this tool

Snapshot is ideal for:

• Quick RFIs or coordination issues.
• Subcontractor markups and clarifications.
• Permitting and regulatory visuals.
• Field progress updates.
• Visual recordkeeping with project context.
• Customer reporting snapshots.
• Utility conflict markups.
• Earthworks tracking status updates.

Limitations

• Snapshot is not yet available for Interior models or Walkthroughs.
• Export resolution is limited to current browser viewport.
• No organization-level branding (beyond standard DroneDeploy watermark).
• Snapshots are not saved back into the DroneDeploy project for archiving.

FAQs

Q: Does Snapshot work in 3D? 
A: Yes—Snapshot fully supports 3D models and views.

Q: What happens to annotations and overlays? 
A: All visible annotations, measurements, overlays, PDFs, and design files are included in the Snapshot.

Q: Can I customize the metadata watermark? 
A: The embedded metadata (project name, capture date, scale, rotation) is automatically added. Custom watermarks are not currently supported.

Q: Will Snapshot replace full exports? 
A: No, Snapshot is designed for fast, shareable visuals. Full exports (orthos, contours, surfaces, point clouds) remain available through DroneDeploy’s Export tools for official deliverables and survey workflows.

V2.2