I was wondering if most webodm users prefer pix4d capture or map pilot pro. I know they are both free but map pilot pro offers terrain follow while pix4d capture does not. Are there any situation where you would not want terrain follow? Thanks!
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For me, it would be an issue of trust. Where are they sourcing the terrain data from? How fine is it? How accurate? How current?
Otherwise, no, I don’t see a reason I would not use it.
I was wondering it might be better to not use terrain follow with things like 3D modeling or volume estimation.
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Also I just realized that terrain follow on map pilot pro is a paid feature. Does anyone have advice on how to get the best results not using terrain follow when drop mapping?
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In my experience, the most important thing to watch out for is reduced overlap in higher elevation areas. Being closer to the ground means less overlap at settings that give sufficient overlap at greater heights AGL. A consequence of the drone being closer to the ground is a reduced GSD and more chance of motion blur.
If you can’t easily adjust flight height, then higher elevation areas need to be flown more slowly to give sufficient forward overlap, with flight lines closer together, so you don’t lose out on sidelap.
Of course there is also the issue of legality if flying over lower elevation areas, and going over 400’/120m AGL, if those laws apply, which they do here in Australia.
I use DJIFlightplanner then import into Litchi, where I can adjust heights AGL at any waypoints if needed.
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In theory, keeping a fixed(ish) GSD with consistent overlap/sidelap would only serve to help those mapping activities (and all others).
Granted, you still might need multiple plans in the height-axis, but again, it should help keep things consistent and predictable.
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I use mMap Pilot with terrain follow when there are big terrain differences… If its somewhere flat, I would not use it.
I don’t exacly know from where it gets the terrain data, but it does a good job, in spain. At least it moves up and down following the terrain so the overlap can be more consistent.
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It seems like many pull the global SRTM data, though some likely use Google Earth as well.
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