Now that you know what to expect it’s time to enquire further and discuss your needs with our team. DroneDeploy is a powerful aerial mapping tool that has taken the UAV mapping industry by storm, find out how it can benefit your business.

Want to try before you buy? DroneDeploy has you covered with its Explorer Plan which gives you an idea of what to expect with a limited version of the software. If you want to learn more about DroneDeploy and have Heliguy walk you through the process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us:

General

Can you carry out a multi-battery flight in DroneDeploy?

Yes. It’s simple to swap batteries and continue your mission. Bring the drone back to its home point when the battery is low on power, swap in the new battery and restart your plan from the exact point where you left off.

Does DroneDeploy work with both Apple and Android devices?

While Android and iOS work well with DroneDeploy, Apple products offer a smoother experience than because of how Android handles a USB connection.

What happens when you fly autonomously with DroneDeploy and you lose your lightbridge controller and/or video signal?

If you lose connection, press and hold the Return to Home button on the controller to call back the drone. Once it returns, begin the mission again after power cycling the drone and restart your mobile device.

If you want to take control of the drone during the autonomous flights can you switch back to the DJI Go app and bring it back to the home point?

Yes. You can also press the Home button on the RC or in the DroneDeploy app. Alternatively, you flip the mode switch to disengage autonomous flight.

Does DroneDeploy support automated flight planning for mapping areas with large vertical topography like mountains, buildings, and towers?

The DroneDeploy mobile app allows you to capture oblique photos of objects using the Orbit at End of Mission tool. For best results, we do still recommend conducting some manual flying with your drone and then processing those images with DroneDeploy’s software.

Does the mobile app control my drone's camera angle?

Yes, the DroneDeploy mobile app automatically controls the camera to tilt down in a base position after reaching your preferred altitude. For areas where you need to tilt the angle of your camera, such as when conducting 3D models, you will need to fly manually.

To avoid burnt images due to the sunlight, what kinds of camera settings do you recommend?

If you're flying on a bright day, the images may be washed out unless the white balance is adjusted to "Sunny" in the DJI Go app. For these settings to apply, you must turn off Automatic Camera Settings in the DroneDeploy app in the advanced section of the flight plan.

What is the recommended front and side overlap?

We recommend that all images should have significant overlap (at least 70% side and front). The greater the image overlap, the easier it is for the software to process your image. Higher overlap gives you greater map detail.

Map Processing

Can I create 3D maps in DroneDeploy?

Yes, you can generate 3D models by using your drone for 3D mapping. Upload your geo-tagged drone imagery to DroneDeploy, and the software will take care of the rest. One of the big differences between DroneDeploy and other alternatives is that they carry out the processing for you in the cloud, so it doesn’t require a lot of desktop processing power.

Is it possible to upload additional images to a map after it has been processed?

Yes, you can upload additional images to a processed map.

Drones and Cameras

Do you need LIDAR drones to create elevation maps?

No. Elevation maps are created using standard geo-referenced cameras on drones. DroneDeploy does some advanced maths to figure out elevations by looking at differences in perspective between two overlapping images.

Do you need any filters on the cameras?

No, but the camera settings should compensate if you choose to attach one. Filters can be useful for taking some of the glare and reflection out of imagery which can help improve the final product.

Can you process thermal imagery in DroneDeploy?

Currently, the software stitches geo-tagged thermal imagery in the colourized JPG format. There are plans to support radiometric JPG and TIFF files moving forward.

What type of SD Card is recommended for mapping large areas?

A high-speed SD Card with at least 16GB storage is recommended for the best result.

Accuracy and Compatibility

What software could my customers use to view and manipulate the data exported from DroneDeploy?

DroneDeploy supports exporting in many file formats. Each data export format is different and you can use them in a wide variety of software.

How accurate is volume measurement using DroneDeploy?

Extensive testing has found volume measurements to be accurate to within 1-2% when compared to traditional ground-based laser measurements.

How would I use Ground Control Points to increase accuracy in volume measurement?

Ground Control Points (GCP) are an effective way to increase accuracy on a global level. However, the data you are getting from a standard drone flight without GCPs will produce highly accurate volume measurements as those measurements are at the local level. These measurements are typically 98-99% accurate so GCPs are not necessarily needed. Learn more about accuracy here.