Drones are most often used recreationally, they have several professional purposes as well. One of the most common is drone mapping.
The process involves using the drone to get aerial data on a particular landscape or property, which is useful for surveyors, construction companies, engineering firms, and even real estate agents.
When choosing a piece of drone mapping software to work with, you have a lot of options. This guide will take you through some of the best drone mapping software on the market so you can choose what’s right for you.
1. Pix4D
One of the first options to consider is Pix4D. This software is aimed more at professional users, but it also comes with a lot of versatility due to the fact that it allows you to easily turn just about any photo into a high-resolution map.
PIx4D actually offers several different pieces of software, each with its own specific use. These include the standard Pix4Dmapper for professional drone mapping, as well as software to map fields, and software to turn a mobile device into a 3d scanner.
Those extra products give the software a lot of use in a range of different industries. It’s great in construction, inspection, and surveying. Pix4D can also connect with other platforms to help create a range of different reports.
2. DroneDeploy
Trusted by thousands of companies around the world, DroneDeploy is a popular option with a good reputation.
Their goal is to make drone mapping accessible to everyone, and that is why their software is great for beginners and experts alike. It scales well and can be used by a brand-new or small company without any hassle.
DroneDeploy also has a fantastic app that allows you to take flight and start mapping with ease. The features here are extensive and include auto-flight, the ability to set custom parameters, make annotations, and export data into other formats.
DroneDeploy can also help your efforts from the start to the end of your drone mapping journey. It can help you manage flights, process information, provide analysis, and more. They also have a strong customer support system to ensure you can always get your questions answered.
3. AgiSoft Metashape
First founded over a decade ago, AgiSoft is one of the most established companies in the drone mapping space. Their Metashape software comes in both a standard and a professional version, and both are quite powerful.
This software includes features like photogrammetric triangulation, high-accuracy surveying, imagery processing, 3D modeling, and much, much more.
The software allows for a ton of precision, which helps ensure everything is accurate and without error. They can even assist in visual effects production. It sees use in a variety of fields, including precision agriculture, archaeology, and even game design.
They also have a very strong community that is happy to show off their project on the website.
4. 3DF Zephyr
Another good option for drone mapping software is 3DF Zephyr. It makes reconstructing 3D models from photos incredibly easy.
No matter what camera, scanner, or drone is being used, this software will be able to help you out. The interface is incredibly user-friendly, which makes taking advantage of all the features offered much easier.
The software also includes editing tools, texturing, exporting capabilities, and statistical analysis. While many pieces of drone mapping software only have paid versions, 3DF Zephyr offers a free version.
It can only process 50 images, so larger projects will need to upgrade. Even so, it’s still nice to see a free version available. Of course, the paid premium version unlocks more plentiful and professional features.
Final Thoughts
Any of the aforementioned pieces of drone mapping software will be able to get you a highly detailed aerial map of a variety of different areas, landscapes, and subjects. If you’re in that space or have a need for detailed mapping, the models here are the way to go.
Do you use another software for drone mapping that you feel should have been mentioned? If so, let us know in the comments below.
