With Ground Pro, every 360 Walk automatically processes into a floor map and a ceiling map, in addition to a measurable 3D Walk model. Floor and ceiling maps show your site's current conditions and are built directly from your Walk capture, so no reflected ceiling plan (RCP) or separate drawing upload is required.
- Floor maps show current conditions such as material laydown, wall layout, and trade logistics.
- Ceiling maps show overhead conditions such as MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) installs and ceiling progress.
Availability: Who has access?
Floor and ceiling maps are available to Ground Pro customers. Contact your account team or email support@dronedeploy.com to learn more about Ground Pro access.
How to use Floor and ceiling maps
Capture a Walk
Capture a 360 Walk using the DroneDeploy Ground app. Ground Pro processes the Walk automatically into a floor map, a ceiling map, and a 3D model. Note that ceiling maps do not generate for outdoor captures. For capture tips, see 3D Walk Capture Best Practices.
View a floor or ceiling map
- Navigate to the project's Explore page.
- Select the Interior tab, then choose the level that contains your Walk.
- Open the Walk Layers tab in the top panel to see the floor map and ceiling map alongside any drawings uploaded to that level.
- Select the floor map or ceiling map to bring it into view.
If a level has more than one Walk, DroneDeploy combines them into a single composite floor map in the web application.
Mark up and share a floor or ceiling map
Floor and ceiling maps support Snapshot, the same markup and sharing tool used across DroneDeploy Ground Maps.
- Open the floor map or ceiling map you want to share.
- Frame the area you want to capture, and toggle any overlays or drawings on or off as needed.
- Click Snapshot in the top-right map controls.
- Add markup, such as arrows, text, boxes, or revision clouds, directly in Snapshot if needed.
- Save the Snapshot as an image, or copy it to your clipboard to share over email, Teams, Procore, or another tool.
Key features
- Automatic generation from a standard Walk capture. No RCP or manual drawing upload is required.
- A composite floor map view across multiple Walks on the same level.
- Overlay support for uploaded drawings, such as MEP plans, alongside the floor or ceiling map.
- Markup and sharing through Snapshot.
Limitations
- Ceiling maps do not generate from Exterior Walk captures.
- Floor and ceiling map quality depends on Walk capture quality. Poor lighting, coverage gaps, or an unsteady camera can produce lower-quality maps. See 3D Walk Capture Best Practices for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need to upload a reflected ceiling plan (RCP) to get a ceiling map?
A: No. Ceiling maps are generated directly from your Walk capture, so no RCP or other drawing upload is required.
Q: Can I combine multiple Walks into one floor map?
A: Yes. If a level has more than one Walk, DroneDeploy combines them into a single composite floor map in the web application.
Q: Can I use a floor map to capture conditions like exposed rebar before a pour?
A: Floor maps work best for typical site conditions. Thin or complex geometry, like exposed rebar before a pour, may not reconstruct clearly in the mesh, so floor maps aren't a replacement for a drone map in these cases.
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