Open Source Drone Modeling - Web ODM for drone modeling and mapping

[@SpectrumDrone]

Yes please! If you are still into doing more "WebODM" youtube tutorials that would be greatly appreciated. I will also have to check out your Agisoft videos as I could not for the life of me figure that sw out w regards to using gcps and found the support slow and incomplete and manuals also lacking sufficient detail.

[@AZ-Drone]

Hi again Roger. I forgot to mention in my last response that GM6 has some information on KZbin regarding GCPs and Metashape I believe. kzbin.info He's also launched a new mapping website where he does classes. I've learned a good bit from his channel since I started doing modeling. Might want to take a look through his channel to see what new items he has up.

[@SpectrumDrone]

@@AZ-Drone awesome, thanks for that!

[@mikesloan2962]

I have wedodm and office AMD 8-core processor ready to processes some litchee grids

[@AZ-Drone]

Have fun making some models! I always like seeing how everything comes together after a site flight.

[@MrJujuthedude]

Yes please, give us the lowdown and concise version on how to fine tune WebODM to create photogrammetry based models, preferably in the region of 1cm (about 0.4 inch) accuracy.

[@AZ-Drone]

Okay, looks like we've got a new project! :)

[@alexberkley4803]

Yes. We are interested !!!! Thank you !

[@alexberkley4803]

All the way from Aruba

[@chrismarsden2603]

Yes please very interested in getting a better understanding of applications available, especially those which are Opensource

[@gimbalair]

Useful. I have the M1 air with 16g am I really going to struggle? In your example would you pixelation have been less if you had used more images.

[@AZ-Drone]

I posted a video on using WebODM with a Mac Mini M1 yesterday. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIK2oWCEZb-Lrc0. No troubles at all with installation and runnning the application. I think the biggest issue will be the amount of drive space you have available on the Macbook Air. As far as model quality goes? Having more images is always helpful. But there are many other settings in WebODM that will also impact the model's quality. This particular video that you've commented on is fairly out of date at this point. I am producing a new series about WebODM at the moment and will announce new videos as I get them on to KZbin.

[@gimbalair]

@@AZ-Drone thats great, thanks for getting back to me. This is a learning curve before i dive iinto more expensive s/w.

[@souocara38able]

Hi rich, if there are settings that will allow it function with 16 gigs on a windows machine I'd be interested. However if it just won't do that then it doesn't matter (at this time)

[@donnbrown8691]

Just loaded WebODM and new to drone 3D mapping so wanted to start small. I am a freelance photojournalist entering the drone world (Mavic Air 2 & Pro Titanium). I want to learn more about aerial mapping.

[@AZ-Drone]

Sorry for my delay in response. Doing drone modeling and mapping is enjoyable! Hopefully in 2021 I can build a higher end drone modeling PC and do some additional testing with WebODM.

[@alfredomainesgomes3586]

Hi, Rich! I would like to know if the final photogrametric models are printable on a 3D printer, I mean, convert to .stl or another printable formats? Thank you from Brasil!

[@62heliman]

Yes i am interested. I purchased the installer program.

[@cosmichasm]

If there were more images in the set, would it considerably improve the quality of the model? I understand that it'll add more time, but is this something that you could reasonably punch out in a day or two for an image set with with 100 pictures or so of the same model (the two houses on the road)? I haven't looked too into depth of other paid to play programs, but I'd imagine that they'd give you considerably better results with less images and in less time, right?

[@AZ-Drone]

Additional images are valuable indeed. More images means more coverage. But it also means more processing time with any modeling software. So there's a balancing act. What can my computer process in a reasonable amount of time without crashing.

[@bertbeinaaf8314]

I’m experimenting with it at this moment, so I would like to see some video’s about this software. There’s also a manual about WebODM. I got Code 1 errors every time, but lowering the max-concurrency parameter to 2 solved the problem. But I have no idea what this parameter means...

[@lhardly]

Those errors were probably caused by a hardware constraint. I'm guessing the max-concurrency parameter is related the amount of threads or cores your CPU has.

[@wintham]

How did you take the photos for this model? thanks!

[@AZ-Drone]

I used a Mavic 2 Pro to capture the images.

[@jerryjames2292]

I"m a bit late to the comments, but I'd definitely be interested in another WebODM video. Also I'm wondering, how much RAM did you have on your mac when you used WebODM in this video? Cheers

[@AZ-Drone]

On the Mac test only 8GB of RAM. Also tested on an older Windows platform with 16GB of RAM, but it kept crashing on that Windows system. I didn't have high hopes for it as I built that system back in 2014 so it's a little older.

[@ianmoffit3584]

Thank you so much for the video and I would very much be interested in a web series about using WebODM. Also what would be your advice if you are having a hard time getting the sides of buildings to show up in WebODM?

[@dju160]

Yes, more info on webODM please. I have recently installed it but my laptop is sadly lacking in RAM amongst other deficiencies to run it. I am in the process of building a much larger capacity pc to cope. So I look forward to any future videos you may post. Thank you for this first one.

[@johncoffield3782]

Not very impressive from the first look but I would still like to see some more videos on this program. My PC has 32 gb of ram so I could use it.

[@davidishiggins]

Does Web ODM allow for measurements to be taken from the 3D model?

[@AZ-Drone]

You can in fact take measurements in WebODM. Just double checked. When you enter the map mode there are measurement tools on the right side.

[@dronelife3flywithme335]

Hey Rich iam kind of late with this but i recently got the WEBODM iam having issues with once i try to share the finish model the other party is unable to open the link what can i do so i could share the link and they are able to open it. thanks an advance sir.

[@AZ-Drone]

In order to share the model the person you're wanting to share it with will need some type of 3D modeling software as well for viewing. If they don't have some type of 3D application to import your model to, you could try exporting your model to Sketchfab and having your client view the model there. I can't remember all of the export formats WebODM gives you. See what your export options are, and then check what import formats Sketchfab can handle.

[@dronelife3flywithme335]

Thanks a lot Rich 🙏

[@karthikb5158]

Can we calculate volume in Webodm

[@AZ-Drone]

I’m not sure. I’ll check it out a little more and let you know what I find.

[@mauricioli3901]

Hello, yes please more videos like this one. Great content. 🌴☀️🌋

[@MarvMcCarthy59]

Hi Rich, I'm a new subscriber (we are almost neighbors, I live down in Chandler) and just learning drone technology. Currently studying for my FAA107 and hoping to do some commercial work. I've been researching mapping and it seems to me like Agisoft Metashape may be a good program to begin with and learn on. What are your thoughts on that? I like the fact that it is a fixed cost license, and that there is an upgrade path if I decide to make a viable commercial enterprise out of it. I also downloaded GSPro (I have a Mavic 2 Zoom and 2 Pro) and am learning that. It seems like images could be captured through GSPro and then used in Metashape to create the final product. Anyway, sorry this comment is a bit long winded but would like your opinion if you have time to respond. I've really enjoyed your channel so far, thank you for all the work you've put into making it both interesting and understandable.

[@AZ-Drone]

Welcome to the channel, and thanks for subscribing! Metashape is a favorite of mine especially with the Standard edition being available. It's a great way to practice your modeling without breaking the bank. I started out with Metashape Standard, and then moved to pro later on. Here's one thing to keep in mind. The app makers for flight control (Map Pilot, Ground Station Pro, Drone Harmony, Drone Deploy, Pix 4 D) may charge a little for their apps, and some charge nothing for the apps. Whatever app you choose for your flight, the images you capture can be used in any of the Modeling Software packages out there (Metashape, Pix4D, Maps Made Easy, Drone Deploy). My strong suggestion to everyone starting out? Use the free trials offered by these vendors. Don't sign up for them all at once. Try one at a time. Make the most out of your free trial period on the Modeling Software (try Metashape Standard, Metashape Pro, Pix4D, Drone Deploy, Maps Made Easy). If you sign up for all of them at the same time I guarantee you won't give yourself enough time with each one. In your case, yes you can capture the images with GS Pro, and then use them in Metashape (standard or pro). You can also hang on to those images and try them in Pix4D, Drone Deploy, and Maps Made Easy.

[@MarvMcCarthy59]

Thank you, Rich, very helpful and I believe that I have a good understanding of how to move forward. Look forward to keeping in touch via the channel, and thanks again!

[@AZ-Drone]

Always happy to help! Don’t forget to have fun while you’re trying this all out. 😀

[@Farnhamification]

Would like a tutorial series on this software

[@sokhuonguon9251]

Hello sir. I want to generate a contour map from my model but there are buildings in the model. How can I extract the building and get only the terrain model? Hopeful for your help.

[@AZ-Drone]

+Sokhuong Uon apologies for my delay in response. We’ve had a busy week and I’m catching up on KZbin comments. Unfortunately I’ve never tried removing a building from a contour map. I’ve actually left the buildings on contour maps. Have you checked Metashape’s help files on removing items?

[@jasonmccubbin7950]

DO you have or know of a command line tut for installing WebODM? I want to stay low cost until I get the hang of things. thanks

[@xoneeleven]

We are interested in tutorials!

[@nonstar8182]

Very cool.. more yes please

[@tenpar7964]

Yeah man, I am looking for a not too expensive software to start with 3D modeling. Is it worth it?

[@AZ-Drone]

Honestly I have struggled with it, and haven't spent enough time on it recently. With client projects I'm sticking to what works for me at the moment. But when I free up some time again I'll be trying it out again.

[@Tony-bu3om]

Looks a little easier to use than MetaShape.. would like a bit more information on Web ODM

[@skyview2145]

Thanks four sharing and I think we are probably a year or two down the track. Your comments about RAM were indeed prescient. I processed 110 images in about 10 minutes on a Mac Mini running 32GB of RAM. I had to change the Docker settings to increase the RAM from the default, which was leading to many crashes. As a photographer rather than an IT fellow this was a bit intimidating but I think the Mac OS knows how to keep amateurs out of crucial processes. With the increased RAM it worked very well. Thanks again for your video

[@bogdannegrea4900]

Hi. Yes Please!

[@skunko162]

It's not free anymore, but still low-cost comparatively.

[@AZ-Drone]

Thanks for that update. I'll go check it out and see what has changed.

[@southbounddiaries]

The 3D model isn't very good. No practical use from a business stand point.

[@AZ-Drone]

Agreed. WebODM does a good job with Orthomosaics. Not such a good job on 3D models. But if you're just starting out and learning about mapping and modeling it's a great low cost solution. New drone operators aren't going to run out and spend $4K on licensing to start into mapping and modeling. So WebODM is a good place to practice without breaking the bank.

[@southbounddiaries]

@Rich Charpentier Agreed. I've BRB a drone pilot for a long time but mostly film and photography. We're just now getting into mapping. We're going to give it a go and see how it plays out.

[@AZ-Drone]

@@southbounddiaries it’s a lot of fun. Whenever I get back from a modeling shoot I start processing almost immediately. 😀