Perform analysis

ArcGIS Drone2Map is a photogrammetry processing tool that allows you to turn your drone images into usable products. The software also offers analysis features and capabilities, such as generating vegetation or soil indices, mensuration, and inspections.

Analysis tools

Before using the analysis tools in Drone2Map, you must process imagery products and make them available. Most tools are supported in 2D or 3D maps depending on the configuration. Some capabilities, such as mensuration and inspection, also offer advanced options to customize their use and output reports.

Types of analysis available

Drone2Map analysis capabilities within a project include the following:

Mensuration—Use point, line and polygon features to measure objects or areas within a project. Measurements are supported in 2D and 3D maps with some measurement options such as volume incorporating z values.

Image information—Single pixel values can be evaluated for their spectral properties and location within a project.

Indices—Soil or vegetation indices can be generated from multispectral data on the fly and shared as products.

Profiles—Elevation and spectral profiles allow the creation of features over products to extract values which are reported in the built in charting system.

Inspection—A dedicated inspection workspace can be created to assess project imagery and record inspection features. Inspections have their own report which can be easily shared to stakeholders.

Use cases for analysis tools

The following are scenarios of how Drone2Map’s analysis tools can be used to highlight project results:

For example, a group of farmers have discovered that their crops are being significantly impacted by invasive pests. This is causing the plants to quickly die off and is affecting their crop yields. They want to isolate the worst affected areas of their fields to contain the problem. A multispectral drone was flown over the fields to capture the extent of the damage and a true ortho product corrected for surface reflectance was processed within Drone2Map. Using the built-in indices functions, they can evaluate both plant and soil health within the contaminated areas to help mitigate any further damage.

For another example, the state government of Washington has decided to inspect all the suspension bridges within its borders due to safety concerns. The state government contacted local municipalities and companies throughout the state to perform this operation. They want to start with the oldest bridges and complete the inspections as quickly as possible so they can allocate appropriate funding for repairs. To expedite the work, a drone is flown around each of these bridges to capture hard to reach areas in a timely manner. They use Drone2Map to evaluate the health of each of the bridges by first creating an inspection workspace where images are reviewed and then marking inspection features for inclusion within a report. This report documents areas of concern and can be quickly shared with the state government to start the restoration process.

For a final example, a local concrete company is planning its operation costs for next year and is looking for a way to consistently measure all the stockpiles within the yard it maintains to better understand how much material they use. Deliveries of raw material are received every few days and can be added to existing piles, which can make it difficult to maintain accurate measurements. To help assist in this problem, a drone is purchased and flown on the days before and after they receive material deliveries. The flight images are processed within Drone2Map as a digital surface model where the stockpiles are clearly visible. Using the volume mensuration tool, they can assess each of the piles before and after a delivery has been made. This helps the company plan deliveries in advance, saving cost and any wasted material.