Hi
I just got my inspire 1 and I am wondering if any of you can guide me to any existing app or company providing interface with the DJi inspire and topo survey data collection. Any ideas or any place to find this type of work.

thank you

The Pix4D app works great for creating orthomosaic maps from images take from a NADIR perspective.

pinpointmapping Posted at 2015-3-19 03:44
The Pix4D app works great for creating orthomosaic maps from images take from a NADIR perspective.

great option thank you!

there is a company that recruits drone users on the forum. I can't remember where to send you, you will just have to search, I know, not much help. they have a program that will create a three demential  output of your photos.

I'm in the surveying and engineering industry as well and am looking for creative ways to use my inspire (coming next week).  The pix4d programs looks interesting.  I'll sign up for their cheapest plan which is a one time fee for the month and post back my results.
Any other thoughts?  

ahkim Posted at 2015-3-21 02:15
I'm in the surveying and engineering industry as well and am looking for creative ways to use my ins ...

It works.  Have done a couple projects myself with that option.  The geotags of the images aren't real good, but good enough.  You will be amazed by the output.

My understanding is that it will be better with ground station, for now I would be more interested in a ground station capable unit.

Hey Ortizfilms, contact Vertical Aspect (they are out of San Antonio, Tx) They are extremely knowledgeable. I attended a workshop on 3d mapping and surveying at UAV Direct and they really know their stuff.
Good luck!

I'm also looking to use my inspire for aerial surveys. But honestly, the phantom still has lots of advantages over the inspire regarding this aspect. It flies autonomous through the pix4d app, stays in the air longer and is easier to carry around and get in the air. It's also a lot cheaper and spare parts are readily available. I'm sure the inspire will get there someday and perhaps provide higher resolution 3d renders, but for the moment I'm quite happy with pix4d and my phantom. The speed at which it creates surfaces still amazes me till this day!

Don't forget, it's easy to mod a phantom to get an enormous increase in range. And with limefuel batteries I stay in the air for 25-30 minutes!

I'm also looking to use my inspire for aerial surveys. But honestly, the phantom still has lots of advantages over the inspire regarding this aspect. It flies autonomous through the pix4d app, stays in the air longer and is easier to carry around and get in the air. It's also a lot cheaper and spare parts are readily available. I'm sure the inspire will get there someday and perhaps provide higher resolution 3d renders, but for the moment I'm quite happy with pix4d and my phantom. The speed at which it creates surfaces still amazes me till this day!

Don't forget, it's easy to mod a phantom to get an enormous increase in range. And with limefuel batteries I stay in the air for 25-30 minutes!

I am looking at this service .I do not need work but as I live in the wine country and own a vineyard it would be fun to do and pay for my wine habit !!!!! Doing there test over the weekend .Will keep you all updated . http://skycatch.com/workmode/faqs.html

pinpointmapping Posted at 2015-3-19 03:44
The Pix4D app works great for creating orthomosaic maps from images take from a NADIR perspective.

Does the Inspire 1 embed the GPS coordinates into the metadata of each image taken? I have both the Inspire 1 and the Phantom 2 using a GoPro. How can I geotag my images on the phantom 2, and can it work using Mac software? Does Pix4D work with Mac? I'm not a PC user.

mtnred@gmail.co Posted at 2015-3-22 09:58
I am looking at this service .I do not need work but as I live in the wine country and own a vineyar ...

I completed and passed the written exam (laughable) but of course cannot complete the rest until the I1 can fly a pattern automatically. I've asked Skycatch/Workmode questions regarding liability, partnerships, etc., and have never received a reply. Last I looked they had also taken down their FAQ page.

I was initially interested in working with them, but it now appears they want to set rates for any operator working with them. Not getting a good feeling from their business plan anymore.

It would be great if you let the forum know how your experience goes.

ebreault084@gma Posted at 2015-4-20 22:23
Does the Inspire 1 embed the GPS coordinates into the metadata of each image taken? I have both th ...

The Inspire does Geotag the images directly (perk of having the camera hard wired to the craft).  You need to use the Flytrex flight logger for the Phantom 2 with GoPro to accomplish this step. Pix4D is Windows Software.  I run it on my iMac by using Bootcamp and starting up in Windows 7.  

pinpointmapping Posted at 2015-4-20 16:54
The Inspire does Geotag the images directly (perk of having the camera hard wired to the craft).   ...

Hi All,

Great info on this thread, will be using my Inspire 1 for survey, this Pix4D software looks great, Im an iMac user though, is it easy to uses Bootcamp and used Win 7 on it?

@pinpointmapping, where can you see the geotag info on each image taken by an Inspire?

Anyone use groundstation yet on the inspire 1?

Thanks in Advance guys

Niall

Dronedeploy also working with this stuff, i've tried it and it produse amazing results on ortos and 3D models, they introduse beta for iOS these days, android ver working great

For Mac/IOS users, you might want to look at Maps Made Easy who have released an IOS app. Easy software to use and not expensive to create maps.

i didn't try myself, but a lot of people are pretty satisfied with PIX4D

ebreault084@gma Posted at 2015-4-20 22:23
Does the Inspire 1 embed the GPS coordinates into the metadata of each image taken? I have both th ...

I use the Maps Made Easy pilot app on an iPad for automation on the Inspire1.  Pix4d recently released a beta version of their software.  It's got a few bugs that need to be worked out but it's been decent so far.  You can also look into Drone Deploy which is a cloud based processing that can work on Mac or PC.  The only drawback with it so far is there is no volumetric measurements so stock pile calculations are not possible.

niall@aquaweb.i Posted at 2015-12-2 03:32
Hi All,

Great info on this thread, will be using my Inspire 1 for survey, this Pix4D software loo ...

Pix4d just released a beta version of the software for Mac.  The geolocation is inside the exif data of the photo.  If you want to see it on your Mac simply right click on the image > Get info > More info.  You should see the Long and Lat as well as other info about exposure, etc.  Pix4d will read that exif automatically when you import the photos.  No need for a ground station with the Inspire1.  Download the Maps Made Easy Pilot app for iPad for $10.  Works very well.

drewid20 Posted at 2015-12-8 19:20
Pix4d just released a beta version of the software for Mac.  The geolocation is inside the exif dat ...

I have been helping out with the beta testing of the mac version.

Some problems encountered by me were originally with my mac was unable to render the images without the battery first running down on the mac.  It seemed the charger wasn't charging the battery fast enough and the software was draining the battery.  Upgraded my Mac to new 15" model with 16GB memory and as it comes with a higher capacity charger this seems to have corrected that issue.

I have had some problems though trying to input Lat and Long GPS coordinates.  Converted them to Eastings and Northings but can't seem to get the software to accept manual GPS location for locating temporary Ground Points, which are supposed to increase locational accuracy.

Apart from this, the 3D model that I created didnt appear to provide a very good detailed immage. I may have high expectations, but I was hoping to get better results.  
On the plus side, it was very easy to upload images and just let it render and do its thing.

The Inspire will capture/tag images with enough detail for basic 3D models/point clouds and orthophotography.
Most commercial surveyors however use UAV with RTK based GPS for sub centimetre accuracy in the tagging.

The phantom or inspire are fine as a starting point - but you'll be quickly moving on to larger/more specialised craft if this is an income stream for you.

http://synergypositioning.com.au ... form-uav-surveying1

https://www.sensefly.com/drones/ebee-rtk.html

Interesting stuff, i will have to give Pix4d a try

GB44 Posted at 2015-12-9 05:38
I have been helping out with the beta testing of the mac version.

Some problems encountered by me  ...

I'm having the same problems with the Lat and Long and manual control points.  I've processed other projects fine with the PC version and I'm running into issues with the Mac version.  

Farnk666 Posted at 2015-12-9 20:45
The Inspire will capture/tag images with enough detail for basic 3D models/point clouds and orthopho ...

RTK UAVs are nice but their price is just too high right now.  The ebee with RTK is 50k and still has a 12mp point and shoot camera.  It will cover an area quicker but the orthos and 3D models will be no better than the inspire possibly worse if there is motion blur.  Another problem is you still won't have accurate elevations.  We set manual control points with a Trimble R8 and found the Inspire works just fine it just flies slower and requires more batteries.  

Farnk666 Posted at 2015-12-9 12:45
The Inspire will capture/tag images with enough detail for basic 3D models/point clouds and orthopho ...

Farn,

Thanks for your comments.

That Synergy fixed wing UAV is a thing of beauty in its own right.

I take on board your comments about the geo work, but have only been using on structures at the minute and was somewhat disappointed in the output detail.

Lads, thanks everyone for you help on this

The Maps Made Easy Pilot app sounds interesting @drewid20 will try that out.

I'm using 27" iMac, should be enough power to run Pix4d