AT 319: Unmanned Aerial Systems Applications, Data and Documentation

Introduction Pix4D is a photogrammetry software with the primary use for drone mapping. The software has multiple templates to choose from, for example, there is "3D Map" where Pix4D processes images into a map or "3D Models" where Pix4D turns images into an actual model for viewing. It creates a visual for images collected on the field that users can interact with and use for various reasons. Since the direct purpose of Pix4D is for drone mapping, the applications of UAS are numerous. Lab 12 consisted of using the Pix4Dmapper application and understanding the software more.  Discussion Before diving straight into Pix4Dmapper, it was required to look into the images metadata. There were four groups of images and how they were obtained. There was the Mavic 2 Pro, XT2 RGB, XT2 Thermal, and A6000. Upon inspection, majority of them were actually geotagged. The only exception was the A6000, where it was required to insert the geotag data through a separate file, but that...

  Introduction Throughout the past few labs, GCPs and reference points have been introduced and their importance was discussed. They give certain data points a geolocation to further enhance the data set generated. One of the many ways to generate GCPs is through the use of Arc Collector. Arc Collector is a mobile platform that allows users to add data points onto a map that is then shared either through all the devices that have access to the map or other users within the organization. Lab 11 focused on the collection aspect of GCPs and how to use Arc Collector.  Arc Collector can be a viable application for UAS because UAVs transmit GPS data that can be used for data collection and add onto maps that are created. The way the application is structured allows for some users to collect data and for crewmembers to see the GCPs being added in real time without being in the field. This would be especially useful in being able to data process in an established area, without trying ...

  Introduction The use of projections and coordinate systems in GIS is important. The use of these systems allows for geospatial data to be relative to the real world and do so in an accurate manner. The Earth is not a perfect sphere, in fact, it can be described as an oblate ellipsoid. Figure 1 shows the shape of the Earth. Figure 1: This is the relative shape of the Earth, where the area around the equator comes out farther than the poles. Even though it can be assumed the Earth is this shape, it is not entirely perfect. The surface of the Earth changes and is not symmetrical. Since there are these inconsistencies, different spheroid models have been used to estimate the surface of the Earth for geographical coordinate systems. Two examples are the Clarke 1866 and WGS 1984; these are both commonly used spheroids. For GIS platforms, it is common to use projections for projects that relate to different spheroids that have been created.  In cartography, it is common for differe...