Introduction to Drones for Mapping
Welcome to the Drones for Mapping Workshop!
The purpose of this workshop is to give background information on how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) can be used to create a variety of geospatial data. You will also be introduced to UAV and LiDAR resources available from the Clemson Center for Geospatial Technologies (CCGT).
By the end of this workshop, you will have gained a basic understanding of:
What UAVs are, commonly used sensors, and their utility for research and education
Regulatory framework and regulations around use of UAVs
Resources available from the Center for Geospatial Technologies (CCGT)
Basic familiarity with processing images from UAVs into geospatial data products
For this workshop, you will be accessing remotely the computers at CCGT. To do this, go to cuapps.clemson.edu and enter your regular Clemson ID and password.
On the top menu, select Desktops and then click on GIS Cooper 406. You will get access to one of the computers in our GIS training room.
Downloading the Workshop Data
After accessing a GIS lab computer,
Copy this link, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TZaFvZeKBqDE2Ax175vfT8RuCy_8lgRn/view?usp=sharing.
Paste the link in a web browser on the remote computer to download the workshop data.
Extract the data to the Documents directory on the remote computer (e.g. C:\Users\"your Clemson username"\Documents).
1. Introduction to UAVs (video link)
Quick introduction to the workshop purpose and goals, outline, need for drones for mapping purposes, industry forecast, applications, overview of UAVs as data collection platform, types of UAVs, and overview of integrated flight systems.
Overview and classification of most commonly used sensors with UAVs. Difference between active and passive sensors. Specifications and applications of digital RGB cameras, thermal cameras, LiDAR scanners, thermal cameras, multispectral cameras, and hyperspectral sensors. Examples of data products.
Very brief overview of the regulatory framework for UAVs. Introduction to FAA 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107. Distinction between commercial use and recreational use. Understanding regulated airspaces. What is a sectional chart? Case scenarios.
Brief overview of support services for Clemson University in the use of UAVs. Includes:
- Equipment resources
- Software
- Personnel
- Support for data workflows, teaching, and training
- Assistance incorporating resources into grants and proposals.
Review of some important practical considerations when mapping with drones, such as:
- Ground Sampling Distance
- Understanding flight patterns
- Measuring spatial accuracy
Basic field procedures in the field before flying the drone. Demonstration of practical considerations before and during flight.
7. Hands-On Processing Drone Images
This section covers the theoretical background and a hands-on section on how to process photos captured from a UAV into geospatial data products.
Brief explanation of Structure from Motion algorithm, software packages, and overview of hands-on exercise.
This tutorial will take you through a very basic example of turning a set of pictures captured with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) into a point cloud, a DEM, and an orthomosaic.
For those looking to obtain certified hours for this workshop: Watch each section, complete correctly all of the 4 quizzes (you can attempt as many times as you need), and send to our UAV and LiDAR specialist, Maziar (mfoolad@clemson.edu), a copy of the Pdf report from Agisoft with your name.
