I appreciate your video explaining GCP and how to import them. There have been numerous videos and instructions saying to use and import GCP but no one had explained how you get them and then how you import them. I have been looking for an explanation for awhile and hit the nail on the head. Thank you for doing this! I really appreciate it!
Hey Rich! What do you use for actual accurate gps device to capture the GCPs? I'm looking into options and the Bad Elf Gnss Surveyor seems to be the best bang for the buck right now for 1m accuracy. Sub 1m is insanely expensive. Over here in NE USA with a new iPhone 13 Pro, I can't get better than +-12ft using GPSdiagnostic.
We're currently looking into Juniper Systems Geode. It's accuracy is sub 1 meter. I just took a look at the Bad Elf and it's looking to come into a similar range. I'm looking at this Bad Elf: bad-elf.com/collections/bluetooth-gps/products/be-gps-3300
@@AZ-Drone That is the one yes, still weighing my options. I also was looking at the Geode, not bad accuracy for $8-$9k with the receiver. Though it’s about the same as the DJI Phantom 4 RTK with Base.
I just went through your new WebODM Intro course and wondered if you had given any thought to a recommended standalone mapping oriented GPS for better resolution for the GCPs?
Thanks for the video. I am a amateur drone pilot trying to map out my local community garden plots. Thanks to you and others I stumbled upon WebODM, and I am thinking about installing it on my 2019 macbook pro (32gb ram) to start playing with mapping. I was trying to figure out a poor mans way of getting the locations for the GCP's. My first idea was to set my mavic air 2 on the GCP, then wait for max sats, then snap a photo. then get lat long from the photo metta data. I figured that would be more accurate than my phone. But I find that the altitude is missing:'). Stupid question, Is there some way to get he altitude from lat long? or is there a program that can extract more metta data from photos taken on DJI drones? I notice the option to use the additional info on DJI drone photos in mapsmadeeasy. Next I am playing with maps made easy, but it looks like WebODM is much cheaper to play with. MapsMadeEasy creates shareable links for others. How do you share your 2D and 3D maps after creation in WebODM? Thanks Roger
With 32GB of RAM I think you'll be able to process models nicely on your Macbook. You can fine tune things through Desktop Docker. When testing I'd suggest using smaller models at first to make sure everything processes nicely. I like your "poor mans way" of getting locations. When I started out I felt the same way. What can we do for low cost solutions. While there are ways to get elevation for locations, they're not the easiest thing to do. Using GIS applications with verified data is one way. WebODM is a nice reasonable cost solution. Getting their downloader for $57 for Mac is nice and easy. There's still a learning curve of course. For sharing models from Metashape and WebODM I use a website called Sketchfab. Welcome to the fun world of Drone modeling. Take your time, there's no rush. And no need to break the bank while learning. :)
No matter what I try, I can't get my GPC text file to show the points on the ODM GPC interface map. I have created the text file EXACTLY like yours, but it rejects the EPSG map coordinate system. When I planned my mission using DroneDeploy app, the coordinate system indicates: NAD83 (CSRS) *or* UTM zone 10 *or* EPSG: 3157. Using the EPSG format, ODM rejects the file. I had more luck using: WGS84 UTM 10N as the first line in the text file, this is accepted by ODM but does not show the coordinates on the map. If you could shed some light on this Rich, I would be very grateful. There is little reference help on this for newbies. ODM documentation says creating the text file is VERY EASY, then goes on to say there must be 6 columns, but you use only 4 in your example. Please do another video! There must be hundreds of us who just want our maps to line up over google maps, that's all I am trying to achieve, I don't need centimetre accuracy, but the GPC text file information out there is contradictory, and clear as mud! Thank you.
I’ll make an effort to get a new updated video out in the next few weeks. I’d try sooner but dealing with a health issue at the moment. Hopefully we’ll get this clear up next week and I’ll add your request to my things to do. 😀
@@timallix4407 a mountain bike crash would have been more fun. I have a couple of autoimmune issues and dealing with a flare up that just won’t stop this time around.
Great instructional video. Especially considering that I can't afford Pix4d. I see in this scenario that you have multiple GCPs in the same image. Will WebODM work if I have a single but different GCP in separate images scattered over the area of interest? Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I've been sharing WebODM with folks because it's a good entry point to learning about maps and models. And it doesn't break the bank. I think WebODM will work with single images showing up in different areas. The more related points you have, the better it will do for your model though.
Yes. Tagging multiple images for the GCP will help for sure. And sorry for my delay in response. UA-cam put your response and original message into "held for review" and I just noticed that happened. Sometimes I just don't get UA-cam.
Hey Rich, I'm thinking maybe I missed something but I noticed you setting the control points next to the pins, shouldn't your GCP intersection be directly centered over the control pin?
In the case of this video, I just set the ground control points without considering the pins. The client wasn't looking for this service, I was setting it up for my own interest. If we were looking for a more consistent setup the pins would be a good option.
Thanks Rich, I just got my SXBlue submeter GPS and collected 10 GCPs. Now I'm running the imagery for a cemetery. This saved me a ton of time figuring it out. I really wish it didn't make you delete a point every time you go into a photo - seems weird.
Thanks for the demo... As an ex CAD Demo jock and trainer.. Dun good!. Curious on your thoughts of collecting your points by walking around with the same drone you planned the flight. It seems to me that using the drone for capturing both the GCP AND the FLIGHT would put you on the same consistent data collection platform and would be using the altimeter and GPS locations from the drone you make the flight. Even though it may not be precise, your statistical accuracy should improve. In other words, it shouldn't matter if the altitude is correct or not because the relative positioning will be consistent for the most of the modeling.
It's been quite a while since someone popped by this video! Thanks for checking it out. I think you're right on using the drone and getting my points that way. I'll have to try it out with my M3E. Thanks for the idea!!!
Rich, What do you think about the accuracy obtained by putting the drone on each GCP, snapping a picture and then using the metadata properties from each picture as your GCP data?
That's a great question. I have taken snap shots from my landing pad, and I do get the GPS location that way. I don't think it would replace the use of a higher end GPS unit, but you could make reference points for yourself to try out when making a GCP list. I'm not sure what the accuracy level of the drone actually is.
Is it possible or accurate to use the drone sitting on GCP location and taking a picture, then recording the GPS coordinates from that picture and then filling in GCP coordinates for the same???
Hi Rich. Many thanks for all your info and insight. With regard to your video on GCP, I was wondering why not to get the coordinates and altitudes from Google Earth instead of measuring them with some expensive gadget in the field. That should guarantee a perfect match of the created 2D/3D Model with Google Map /Earth. Please understand I'm a beginner to photogrammatry.
Good question! When it comes to providing some modeling data, clients will want a degree of accuracy that you can't get with just your drone and Google earth. That's where ground control points come into play, and the need for higher end "sub 1 meter" measuring tools. By the way, welcome to photogrammatry! It's a lot of fun, and there is a learning curve. Take your time, and enjoy!
Super video today. The format didn't suffer from you not having cameras on the job site showing you flying the course 🙂 Where did you get the GCPs you're using? They look like they're easier to use & cart around then a set of plywood or plastic ones.
I got the GCPs through Amazon. There are a ton of options. Several of the high visibility orange ones caught my attention as well, then I saw the prices. The decision on which ones to get was made for me.
@@AZ-Drone I've seen those and thought about adding a set of 2x2 coretech boards that the vinyl ones could be placed on so they stay flat but stay light (vs plywood ones). Coretech is that corrugated plastic sheet that a lot of signs are made of so it's pretty cheap. I'm going to start the progression videos for my new house build next month (finally!) so will be following along your activity - just a few weeks behind you.
@@jimhatch5873 I can't wait to see the home progression! Keep us up to date seriously, I know other people would like to see that type of progression as well!
@@AZ-Drone Will do. We never thought in a million years it would take us very nearly a year to break ground. (We bought the property the end of last March.) Or that it would cost what it's going to 😂
Log your raw GPS data at the GCP for 5min, then a bit of post processing and using a known location or two on the map you can ge the GPS accuracy bang on using a cellphone most days.
Interesting and informative. A little peeved that, while you briefly mentioned, it, you'd already talked about 4 decimals not being very accurate, them say you'd figured out how to get two more, but left us hanging when you didn't elaborate... :(
Hi Rich... sorry to be the one asking free advice, but! I joined the ODM community, and my first problem has been resolved, I can now load my initial GPC file into the GPC tool, and the targets are in the right place. However, when I export the file, the co-ordinates become drastically truncated. Here is an example of one line: -124.27 49.31 0 2970.83 591.67 DJI_0008.JPG GCP2. If you can shed any light on this, it would be much appreciated! Thank you.
I have also experienced the truncated coordinates. I'm uncertain if all coordinates have this occur. I haven't tested additional GCP examples in quite a while. I think it's something we'll need to ask the ODM community. As I'm just getting back to regular work I'm playing a little catch up (over a week of emails...ouch). I will see what I can find, as I've exprienced it as well. If you find an answer before I do, please share so we can update channel followers on the issue. Thanks!!!
@@AZ-Drone Hi Rich, I was never able to find the answer, however, one of the developers told me he worked on it a few years ago, and he admitted that it was buggy and needed more work. He suggested that I purchase GPC Editor Pro for $29, which I did. That was the ticket! It works like a charm.
One can get coordinates within a few feet(or better), along with elevations within a foot(or better), utilizing controlled "sid", files along with "las", files(Lidar), with no GPS equipment, excepting the on-board GPS. I wonder if any of the consumer quality drones, record and utilize the GPS data(since the drone is almost always above the trees and moving, it should be more precise and maybe more accurate. )
The data out of my Mavic 2 does include GPS information. When building models every image I feed into them has GPS data. I don't know what every other drone out there does, but getting geo location in the EXIF data in every shot is normal for my Mavic 2 Pro.
@@AZ-Drone I haven't looked at the GPS accuracy of the Mavics but taking a guess that it is going to be the same, or close to the Phantom 4 pro which I use. DJI rates that accuracy at +/- 1.5 meters so, that's up to five feet off point, not exactly survey grade and I wonder if it even helps to have a portable survey grade receiver find the exact location of the GCP when the drone is up to five-foot accuracy.
I appreciate your video explaining GCP and how to import them. There have been numerous videos and instructions saying to use and import GCP but no one had explained how you get them and then how you import them. I have been looking for an explanation for awhile and hit the nail on the head. Thank you for doing this! I really appreciate it!
Thank you Rich. this video is going to save me a lot of time trying to figure out things on my own. very well explained.
Thank you for the practical how-to! Very helpful!
Glad to hear it was helpful!
Thanks for your time and for putting up this great video!
Glad it was helpful!
Hey Rich! What do you use for actual accurate gps device to capture the GCPs? I'm looking into options and the Bad Elf Gnss Surveyor seems to be the best bang for the buck right now for 1m accuracy. Sub 1m is insanely expensive. Over here in NE USA with a new iPhone 13 Pro, I can't get better than +-12ft using GPSdiagnostic.
We're currently looking into Juniper Systems Geode. It's accuracy is sub 1 meter. I just took a look at the Bad Elf and it's looking to come into a similar range. I'm looking at this Bad Elf: bad-elf.com/collections/bluetooth-gps/products/be-gps-3300
@@AZ-Drone That is the one yes, still weighing my options.
I also was looking at the Geode, not bad accuracy for $8-$9k with the receiver. Though it’s about the same as the DJI Phantom 4 RTK with Base.
I just went through your new WebODM Intro course and wondered if you had given any thought to a recommended standalone mapping oriented GPS for better resolution for the GCPs?
I’ll be adding some GPS information in the near future. We’re looking at a Juniper Systems “Geode”. It has
Thanks for the video. I am a amateur drone pilot trying to map out my local community garden plots. Thanks to you and others I stumbled upon WebODM, and I am thinking about installing it on my 2019 macbook pro (32gb ram) to start playing with mapping. I was trying to figure out a poor mans way of getting the locations for the GCP's. My first idea was to set my mavic air 2 on the GCP, then wait for max sats, then snap a photo. then get lat long from the photo metta data. I figured that would be more accurate than my phone. But I find that the altitude is missing:'). Stupid question, Is there some way to get he altitude from lat long? or is there a program that can extract more metta data from photos taken on DJI drones? I notice the option to use the additional info on DJI drone photos in mapsmadeeasy.
Next I am playing with maps made easy, but it looks like WebODM is much cheaper to play with. MapsMadeEasy creates shareable links for others. How do you share your 2D and 3D maps after creation in WebODM?
Thanks
Roger
With 32GB of RAM I think you'll be able to process models nicely on your Macbook. You can fine tune things through Desktop Docker. When testing I'd suggest using smaller models at first to make sure everything processes nicely.
I like your "poor mans way" of getting locations. When I started out I felt the same way. What can we do for low cost solutions. While there are ways to get elevation for locations, they're not the easiest thing to do. Using GIS applications with verified data is one way.
WebODM is a nice reasonable cost solution. Getting their downloader for $57 for Mac is nice and easy. There's still a learning curve of course.
For sharing models from Metashape and WebODM I use a website called Sketchfab.
Welcome to the fun world of Drone modeling. Take your time, there's no rush. And no need to break the bank while learning. :)
No matter what I try, I can't get my GPC text file to show the points on the ODM GPC interface map. I have created the text file EXACTLY like yours, but it rejects the EPSG map coordinate system. When I planned my mission using DroneDeploy app, the coordinate system indicates: NAD83 (CSRS) *or* UTM zone 10 *or* EPSG: 3157. Using the EPSG format, ODM rejects the file. I had more luck using: WGS84 UTM 10N as the first line in the text file, this is accepted by ODM but does not show the coordinates on the map. If you could shed some light on this Rich, I would be very grateful. There is little reference help on this for newbies. ODM documentation says creating the text file is VERY EASY, then goes on to say there must be 6 columns, but you use only 4 in your example. Please do another video! There must be hundreds of us who just want our maps to line up over google maps, that's all I am trying to achieve, I don't need centimetre accuracy, but the GPC text file information out there is contradictory, and clear as mud! Thank you.
I’ll make an effort to get a new updated video out in the next few weeks. I’d try sooner but dealing with a health issue at the moment. Hopefully we’ll get this clear up next week and I’ll add your request to my things to do. 😀
@@AZ-Drone Get well soon Rich, and I look forward to your response! PS hope it wasn't a mtn bike crash!
@@timallix4407 a mountain bike crash would have been more fun. I have a couple of autoimmune issues and dealing with a flare up that just won’t stop this time around.
Great instructional video. Especially considering that I can't afford Pix4d.
I see in this scenario that you have multiple GCPs in the same image. Will WebODM work if I have a single but different GCP in separate images scattered over the area of interest? Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I've been sharing WebODM with folks because it's a good entry point to learning about maps and models. And it doesn't break the bank. I think WebODM will work with single images showing up in different areas. The more related points you have, the better it will do for your model though.
@@AZ-Drone So the best thing would be to tag each GCP in each image ensuring that overlapping images are all accounted for?
Yes. Tagging multiple images for the GCP will help for sure. And sorry for my delay in response. UA-cam put your response and original message into "held for review" and I just noticed that happened. Sometimes I just don't get UA-cam.
Hey Rich, I'm thinking maybe I missed something but I noticed you setting the control points next to the pins, shouldn't your GCP intersection be directly centered over the control pin?
In the case of this video, I just set the ground control points without considering the pins. The client wasn't looking for this service, I was setting it up for my own interest. If we were looking for a more consistent setup the pins would be a good option.
Thanks Rich, I just got my SXBlue submeter GPS and collected 10 GCPs. Now I'm running the imagery for a cemetery. This saved me a ton of time figuring it out. I really wish it didn't make you delete a point every time you go into a photo - seems weird.
Glad to hear that the GPS is helping you out. I haven't checked out the SXBlue, but I'll put it on my must read about list. 😀
Thanks for the demo... As an ex CAD Demo jock and trainer.. Dun good!. Curious on your thoughts of collecting your points by walking around with the same drone you planned the flight. It seems to me that using the drone for capturing both the GCP AND the FLIGHT would put you on the same consistent data collection platform and would be using the altimeter and GPS locations from the drone you make the flight. Even though it may not be precise, your statistical accuracy should improve. In other words, it shouldn't matter if the altitude is correct or not because the relative positioning will be consistent for the most of the modeling.
It's been quite a while since someone popped by this video! Thanks for checking it out. I think you're right on using the drone and getting my points that way. I'll have to try it out with my M3E. Thanks for the idea!!!
Rich, What do you think about the accuracy obtained by putting the drone on each GCP, snapping a picture and then using the metadata properties from each picture as your GCP data?
That's a great question. I have taken snap shots from my landing pad, and I do get the GPS location that way. I don't think it would replace the use of a higher end GPS unit, but you could make reference points for yourself to try out when making a GCP list. I'm not sure what the accuracy level of the drone actually is.
Is it possible or accurate to use the drone sitting on GCP location and taking a picture, then recording the GPS coordinates from that picture and then filling in GCP coordinates for the same???
Hi Rich. Many thanks for all your info and insight. With regard to your video on GCP, I was wondering why not to get the coordinates and altitudes from Google Earth instead of measuring them with some expensive gadget in the field. That should guarantee a perfect match of the created 2D/3D Model with Google Map /Earth. Please understand I'm a beginner to photogrammatry.
Good question! When it comes to providing some modeling data, clients will want a degree of accuracy that you can't get with just your drone and Google earth. That's where ground control points come into play, and the need for higher end "sub 1 meter" measuring tools. By the way, welcome to photogrammatry! It's a lot of fun, and there is a learning curve. Take your time, and enjoy!
Super video today. The format didn't suffer from you not having cameras on the job site showing you flying the course 🙂
Where did you get the GCPs you're using? They look like they're easier to use & cart around then a set of plywood or plastic ones.
I got the GCPs through Amazon. There are a ton of options. Several of the high visibility orange ones caught my attention as well, then I saw the prices. The decision on which ones to get was made for me.
@@AZ-Drone I've seen those and thought about adding a set of 2x2 coretech boards that the vinyl ones could be placed on so they stay flat but stay light (vs plywood ones). Coretech is that corrugated plastic sheet that a lot of signs are made of so it's pretty cheap. I'm going to start the progression videos for my new house build next month (finally!) so will be following along your activity - just a few weeks behind you.
@@jimhatch5873 I can't wait to see the home progression! Keep us up to date seriously, I know other people would like to see that type of progression as well!
@@AZ-Drone Will do. We never thought in a million years it would take us very nearly a year to break ground. (We bought the property the end of last March.) Or that it would cost what it's going to 😂
Log your raw GPS data at the GCP for 5min, then a bit of post processing and using a known location or two on the map you can ge the GPS accuracy bang on using a cellphone most days.
Nice
Interesting and informative. A little peeved that, while you briefly mentioned, it, you'd already talked about 4 decimals not being very accurate, them say you'd figured out how to get two more, but left us hanging when you didn't elaborate... :(
My apologies. I'll have to take a look back at this one and see about an update.
Hi Rich... sorry to be the one asking free advice, but! I joined the ODM community, and my first problem has been resolved, I can now load my initial GPC file into the GPC tool, and the targets are in the right place. However, when I export the file, the co-ordinates become drastically truncated. Here is an example of one line: -124.27 49.31 0 2970.83 591.67 DJI_0008.JPG GCP2. If you can shed any light on this, it would be much appreciated! Thank you.
I have also experienced the truncated coordinates. I'm uncertain if all coordinates have this occur. I haven't tested additional GCP examples in quite a while. I think it's something we'll need to ask the ODM community. As I'm just getting back to regular work I'm playing a little catch up (over a week of emails...ouch). I will see what I can find, as I've exprienced it as well. If you find an answer before I do, please share so we can update channel followers on the issue. Thanks!!!
@@AZ-Drone Hi Rich, I was never able to find the answer, however, one of the developers told me he worked on it a few years ago, and he admitted that it was buggy and needed more work. He suggested that I purchase GPC Editor Pro for $29, which I did. That was the ticket! It works like a charm.
@@timallix4407looks like I’ll be buying that as well. 😀
One can get coordinates within a few feet(or better), along with elevations within a foot(or better), utilizing controlled "sid", files along with "las", files(Lidar), with no GPS equipment, excepting the on-board GPS. I wonder if any of the consumer quality drones, record and utilize the GPS data(since the drone is almost always above the trees and moving, it should be more precise and maybe more accurate. )
The data out of my Mavic 2 does include GPS information. When building models every image I feed into them has GPS data. I don't know what every other drone out there does, but getting geo location in the EXIF data in every shot is normal for my Mavic 2 Pro.
@@AZ-Drone I haven't looked at the GPS accuracy of the Mavics but taking a guess that it is going to be the same, or close to the Phantom 4 pro which I use. DJI rates that accuracy at +/- 1.5 meters so, that's up to five feet off point, not exactly survey grade and I wonder if it even helps to have a portable survey grade receiver find the exact location of the GCP when the drone is up to five-foot accuracy.
Good and helpful though
Glad you think so!
27 min into this video, it appears you deleted a ground control point, not the one you were trying to delete ??
It's been a while since I made this one. I think I did mess up one control point in that video.