Where is photogrammetry used?

Here we show an overview of just a few of the diverse areas of application for photogrammetry:

  • Documentation of the condition of buildings

  • Photographs of facades

  • Surveying of quarries or landfills

  • Calculation of bulk volumes for documentation and inventory purposes

  • Preservation of evidence of all kinds

  • Preparation and documentation of building projects

  • Creation of 3D models of buildings for architects and archaeologists

  • Creation of digital terrain models

  • Detection of damages and cracks on buildings

  • Insurance documentation

  • Environmental protection

The possible applications go far beyond these areas. The detection of manipulations in factories, where bulk material is stolen or an inventory is only possible with very large personnel and time expenditure are further applications for photogrammetry. The calculation of differences or the creation of evidence for the environmental protection agency is just as possible as the exact measurement of complex structures in exterior and interior areas. Due to the non-contact image measurement, the procedure can be carried out quickly and almost everywhere. A famous example is the photogrammetric survey of interiors of the Egyptian pyramids, which have provided researchers with many new insights.

Which drone do we use for photogrammetry?

Precise surveying is possible with different methods and drones. It is important that the devices used are equipped with high-quality cameras and are moved precisely by the pilot and camera operator over the areas of operation. For some special tasks like volume determination or exact surveying we use drones with laser rangefinders. With this non-contact but highly precise measurement method, the necessary data can be collected in a short time and prepared for further processing into 3D models or for other purposes. Our DJI M30T is particularly well suited for this purpose. It also has a thermal imaging camera, which means that we can use thermography to collect additional measured values on request (e.g. about the current temperature of a landfill site, the volume of which is being determined).

How does photogrammetry work?

Depending on the type and size of the area of operation as well as the required services, we fly over the respective areas using different methods. How long the photogrammetry takes depends, among other things, on how precise the measurements are to be or how high the point density is to be for the 3D modeling. After the acquisition of the images or point clouds, the material is processed by us according to the customer's wishes. We will be happy to advise you individually on questions of accuracy in relation to the desired end results.

Contact us

What is an orthophoto?

Orthophotos and photogrammetry are closely related. An orthophoto is a true-to-scale and distortion-free image of a specific area on the earth's surface. This, of course, includes the depiction of landscape features and buildings. In contrast to satellite images or aerial photographs taken in a simple overflight, the orthophoto differs in that it is absolutely distortion-free. It is created completely perpendicular to the surface, which means that there are no perspective distortions, no tilting or other inaccuracies. With an orthophoto, land, buildings and other objects can be surveyed precisely. This makes it easier for a municipality, for example, to take stock of built-up areas or new development areas. Click here for our in-depth blog post about orthophotos.

How are orthophotos created?

When you order orthophotos from us, we fly over the target area with one of our high-performance drones. The high-resolution cameras take a large number of individual images that overlap both longitudinally and transversely. This compensates for changes in shooting angles in the final result. Aerial surveying carried out in this way is considered to be particularly precise. After the images have been collected, they are digitally processed on the computer. With the help of calculations that are also used in photogrammetry, you end up with a perfect orthophoto that provides distortion-free, accurate survey data for further use. Of course, a so-called georeferencing of the aerial photos is also provided. This means that, if desired, you will receive the exact position of the imaged objects in relation to any coordinate system. This is made possible by the precise navigation technology built into our drones.

Why are orthophotos so important?

Since there are always inaccuracies in classic aerial photographs due to the changing perspective, so-called fold-over effects and distortions interfere with the measurement results. Without taking many overlapping images from the air, distortions would inevitably occur due to different heights in the terrain and the central projection with a defined center point. In addition, we can also cover so-called sightless areas in this way, whose visual information is lost in conventional aerial photographs. In terms of accuracy, we work with the most appropriate resolution for the project at hand. Which resolution is appropriate depends on the individual application. Not every orthophoto requires the maximum resolution, which can lead to enormous image sizes. We will be happy to advise you on issues of memory and computational requirements in relation to the required precision of the final result.

Contact us