Use Pix4D to create a 3D model on your computer

[@santiagounigarro4489]

Fast and clear, Amazing!!

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Thank you

[@paulpix4d456]

Great video! Just for your information, you don't need to create manual tie points unless you have a broken project, or unless you are merging datasets.

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Thanks for your feedback Paul. I have had projects that were improved by adding a few MTPs (and some that were not) and projects that were broken and the MTPs did not help at all (even when merging the projects). Of course, there are times when a DJI product miscalculates the Z axis which can cause errors. It would be great if you would do an episode with me next month when you come to Dallas. If you're interested, shoot me an email.

[@remiglobetrotte4573]

Hello, thanks for that. But at the end we can see big problems at the top of the tower. How do you remove that ? Thanks a lot

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Remi, you have to edit the point cloud then regenerate the mesh by going to the top menu where it says PROCESS then go down to Generate 3D Mesh. Hope that helps.

[@summersunshine8356]

Hey great vid...especially liked the background music Who is it playing? Where can I find more sounds like this. I liked.

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Thanks, glad you like it. if you want to email me ill give you the info. [e-mail]

[@tna2me197]

Great job on the video! I had a quick tech question. Do you know if it's possible to load the 3d image into Sketchup? Is there a way to do that in a scale that I could export as an STL file? If so I can make 3D prints of the structures. I would have a YUGE market for that kind of thing.

[@GM6DroneMapping]

TNA2Me yes you can. im not sure if it works in sketch up but I think it does. I used FME once

[@tna2me197]

WOW! I'll have to do some tinkering with this. Thank you!

[@GM6DroneMapping]

TNA2Me Awesome, good luck. dont forget to send my 10%. lol.

[@tna2me197]

Ha! I was going to give you 20 but I'll settle for 10. Lol

[@brian_gonzalez]

Hi - Enjoy your vids - question: why not use DJI GS Pro app for P4P ? Thx!

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Thanks. I plan to test it out today. I should have tried it before now but I had just been limited on time. It is definitely an interesting app

[@tybrady64]

+GM6 Looking forward to a video about that!

[@jeffreyquandtjr9720]

Processed image/step one successfully, unchecked camera box, clicked on point in image and images appeared on lower right portion of screen. From there when I click on 'new tie point' another window opens above the images listing properties/mtp1.

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Look at the video "how to make a 3d model for free. Its newer. It sounds like you are doing it right but I may be miss understanding you.

[@shanth41]

Hey nice video.. which drone is best for mapping program ?

[@GM6DroneMapping]

By far I think the Phantom 4 Pro, but without the screen. 5 reasons: The mechanical shutter and 20MP camera, the adjustable aperture, more compact and cheaper than the inspire.

[@shanth41]

thanks

[@Lammy_J97]

How were you able to get approval to map the tower?

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Jeremy, that's part of the joke. if you look at 1:28 in the video you will hear a girl tell me the tower is abandoned. The tower was in a residential neighborhood. Not an airport. : )

[@Lammy_J97]

Ah okay

[@jimmylong1649]

Hi. I have a yuneec typhoon h and am going to try my first map soon. any tips? how many images should I be taking. Eg a statue!

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Jimmy Long well my biggest tip is plenty of overlap. 80% or every 2-3 sec if you are going around. and be sure to keep the camera angled down enough so that you dont catch the sky in your images. Sky kills a good 3D model.

[@AAAAAA-ov6io]

What applications could a client use this map for?

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Good question, cell phone companies are making 3D models of their towers for asset management. Land developers are mapping the land and structures for future planning. Construction companies are using them to track and document the progression of protects. Both 2D and 3D maps are being used in many cases.

[@AAAAAA-ov6io]

GM6 Drone Mapping thanks for the reply. I've been a surveyor for 20 years and am trying to learn more about drone mapping. Does pix4D do training in California? Any suggestions for education? Thanks.

[@GM6DroneMapping]

In 2017 they offered more training than ever, and all over the US. Im sure they will again this year. As a surveyor you will be ahead of most already but keep reading and learning. There is a ton of info to learn.

[@AAAAAA-ov6io]

GM6 Drone Mapping thank you.

[@andyputch]

Have you compared how the models come out without the 4 MTPs? Is there a noticeable difference?

[@gm6938]

Andy Putch Yes I have compared with and without MTPs. Sometimes the difference is noticable, and other times not. The MTPs are more important when your map is used for measurement.

[@andyputch]

Interesting. If the MTPs aren't making much of a difference, what are the advantages of processing on your computer?

[@gm6938]

Andy Putch The biggest difference is you can edit the point cloud, which means you can delete things or add to. Like when an area has holes caused by bad images.

[@SothsavdyTha]

why do we need to do MTP? and what is different between MTP and ATP?

[@GM6DroneMapping]

My understanding of the MTP is to help with the accuracy of the project. By creating the MTPs you are manually confirming that each point you click on is in fact the same point in every imagine. When processing your images the software is making an educated guess based on a lot of data imbedded in the images from the drone. As we al know, computers mess up. The MTPs are correcting those mistakes. Even though we don't always notice the mistakes. Does that help?

[@SothsavdyTha]

thanks. i am first time to use it. may u show me how to move or pan the data?

[@jimmylong1649]

thanks should I have a few 100 pics for a statue etc?

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Jimmy Long Probably not. the tower from this video was less than 100 pics

[@L2Drones]

so do you recommend drone deploy or pix4d?

[@GM6DroneMapping]

All things considering, I have to go with Pix4D. Its a more complete package. Im not a fan of the cloud based services because you give up all control and abulity to edit. DroneDeploy has come a long way the past year but you still can't edit your map.

[@L2Drones]

GM6 I know I'm on the same page. Being able to edit the inputs is important. But at the same time DroneDeploy is more valuable when it comes to attracting clients because it can be shown easily on iPhone or iPad instantly while Pix4D is a desktop application. DroneDeploy can also integrate into your workflow with Skyward. So you can track your flights easier. We are having a hard time deciding which one to invest in

[@GM6DroneMapping]

I agree. both companies have a good product and Pro & Cons. For me, If I can't edit my point cloud then its not much good. Example: If I capture images of a building and the sky is partly cloudy, and the cloud is mistaken for a solid object by the program, then I can edit the point cloud which allows the 3D mesh to be regenerated without a big blob. Not that I'm trying to push Pix4D but I rearly get a perfect 3D model. ha

[@Jason52597]

The roof didn't look very accurate?

[@GM6DroneMapping]

that's the thing with this software. You have to be able toi edit. I edited the point cloud which changes the 3D mesh.

[@Jason52597]

Ah ok :) So a bit of manual override is needed sometimes.

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Exactly. There are times I use 2 apps and times I fly mauaul and times I go completely automatic. Its all about getting the best shot to create your model

[@Jason52597]

If you do all these how do you merge them all?

[@GM6DroneMapping]

Jason Lloyd you do it like its one project. the images are stored on the drone and they dont care how they were created. they are just happy you created them. haha. does that make since?

[@gleebo5276]

pix4d isnt free, and quite expensive, not everyone makes money from flying there drone, as there are enthusiasts, is there any truly free alternative software for processing the images on your pc

[@GM6DroneMapping]

C gleebo Pix4D discovery is free. Although you can't export the file you can still make a 3D model

[@gleebo5276]

thanks for you reply, do you know of any other software that is free and gives you the same if not similar options to services like pix4d and dronedeply, and let you export the project

[@GM6DroneMapping]

C gleebo I wish. If I found that software I would tell everyone I know.

[@gleebo5276]

whats your opinion of webODM, just had a glance at it, there looks to be free option if you compile it from what i can make out, and a cheap paid option 36 gbp

[@GM6DroneMapping]

C gleebo I think I looked at that one about a year ago. It looked like a lot of command line stuff. Which Im not fond of.

[@ahmedkareemj5646]

hi. please can you send me pix4d software

[@jeffreyquandtjr9720]

Didn't work. Video must be outdated.

[@GM6DroneMapping]

It is old, but what didnt work?

[@jeffreyquandtjr9720]

@@GM6DroneMapping Processed image/step one successfully, unchecked camera box, clicked on point in image and images appeared on lower right portion of screen. From there when I click on 'new tie point' another window opens above the images listing properties/mtp1.

[@badmoonkid24]

funny open

[@GM6DroneMapping]

lol thanks. I was hoping for a laugh or 2.

[@badmoonkid24]

@@GM6DroneMapping I don't do mapping with my mavic 2 but I would like to try some of that 3D stuff don't have the money for the full programs how do you think I should start

[@GM6DroneMapping]

@@badmoonkid24 Great question. Have you seen my video on how to make a 3d model for free? It's basically an updated version of this video. Like anyone, as time goes by I learn more. I think the updated video is a little better because I got better. I don't mean that in an arrogant way just that practice makes perfect kind of way.

[@badmoonkid24]

@@GM6DroneMapping I'm not really sure I've been been binge-watching your videos what video in particular are you talking about point me in the right direction because they're going to build a movie theater here and I want to do a time-lapse video of the building of the building

[@badmoonkid24]

@@GM6DroneMapping I'll send you an email right now so you can add me to your contacts