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Demonstrate the ability to access and log onto Pix4D Engage in processing several forms of UAS data using Pix4D software Demonstrate a firm understanding of the basic concepts and data outputs of Pix4D
Video Academy – Video Mapper – Getting Started with your first project Getting Started Computer Requirements and Getting Started Index Software Manual
After adding your images, how can you tell if the images were geotagged? When you add images to a new project, via a link tree, if the images were geotagged, then coordinates for the latitude and longitude would be present, as well the correct coordinate system automatically loading. We are in UTM zone 16N. If you want to choose a different coordinate system than the default, how would you do that? If you know what coordinate system you want, then you would select “Known Coordinate System” and enter in that data. What is the 3D maps template? It is for images that were taken above, with the camera facing directly down, or nadir. Which template would you use if you wanted to process imagery from the Micasense RedEdge Multi-spectral sensor? You would want to use Ag Multi-spectral template if you wanted to process imagery from the Micasense RedEdge Multi-Spectral Sensor. You added a new lens to your camera and need to change the camera model. Please provide the link to the video on which video might address this question: A common data product asked for by many mining and excavation companies is a shape file of contour lines. Please provide a link to the video that will address how to add contour lines to your project. Next semester I will have the class doing some point cloud editing. Provide me a link to the video I will likely have you watch.
Recommended Computer/Hardware Requirements Minimum CPU (Intel i5/ i7/ Ryzen 7). GPU that is compatible with OpenGL 3.2. (integrated graphics cards Intel HD 4000 or above). Small projects (under 100 images at 14 MP): 4 GB RAM, 10 GB HDD Free Space. Medium projects (between 100 and 500 images at 14 MP): 8 GB RAM, 20 GB HDD Free Space. Large projects (between 500 and 1000 images at 14 MP): 16 GB RAM, 40 GB HDD Free Space. Very Large projects (1000 -2000 images at 14 MP): 32 GB RAM, 80 GB HDD Free Space. Recommendation CPU quad-core or hexa-core Intel i9/Threadripper/Ryzen 9/. GeForce GTX GPU is compatible with OpenGL 3.2 and 2 GB RAM. Hard disk: SSD. Small projects (under 100 images at 14 MP): 8 GB RAM, 15 GB SSD Free Space. Medium projects (between 100 and 500 images at 14 MP): 16GB RAM, 30 GB SSD Free Space. Large projects (over 500- 1000 images at 14 MP): 32 GB RAM, 60 GB SSD Free Space. Very Large projects (1000 - 2000 images at 14 MP): 64 GB RAM, 120 GB SSD Free Space Specs for the computer that I am working on Windows 11 Education 64 GB (63.7 Usable) 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor 13th Gen Intel (R) Core (TM) i9-13900K 3.00 GHz Where would you select the coordinate system of the input images? On Coordinate System If the images have geolocation, it will be given in a coordinate system other than WGS84 (default) How might you add a table containing coordinate information about the images if your images are not geotagged? In projects without image geolocation, Ground Control Points should be used. GCPs are points of known coordinates in an area of interest. They will scale, orient, and position the result and they increase the accuracy of the outputs. You would then ensure the image geolocation file has an adequate format. In the Image Geolocation, under Geolocation and Orientation, there will be a drop-down list, File Format, select the file format according to the file and the selected coordinate system. Click Browse, and then the pop-up Geolocation File will appear, find the image geolocation file. How do you specify the output coordinate system? In Select/Output Coordinate window: By default, the output and GCP coordinate system will be the same. If you want to select a different system, go to menu project and then select output coordinate system. Click Next, Select the processing template you want, Select Start Processing Now and then Finish. In Step 4 (Processing), what are the four processing phases? Initial Processing Analyzing the Quality Report Point Cloud and Mesh DSM, Orthomosaic, and Index What is generated after initial processing? Why is this so important? What should be closely examined to see if complete or not? A quality report It is important because it provides an overview of the project and assesses its accuracy and quality. It includes detailed information and reports on metrics that help ensure the output meets the required calculations. Verify the checks are green, all or almost all the images are calibrated in one block, the relative difference between initial and optimized internal camera parameters is below 5%, if using GCPs, the GCP error is below 2xGSD.
Where does it take you, when you select the software manual icon To a website that holds information of the software for PIX4Dmapper Under Menu Bar and Menu Project click on GCP/MTP Manager. What is the GCP/MTP Manager? What data do you need to use this option? It allows you to set up and edit the properties of the GCPs/Manual Tie Points/Check Points and allows you to select the GCP coordinate system, import GCPs, add/remove points, import/export the marks, open the Ray Cloud or Basic Editor for marking On Import GCP Table, what is meant by XYZ or YXZ? What is needed to bring in Altitude? XYZ: Latitude, Longitude, Altitude YXZ: Longitude, Latitude, Altitude Altitude is only brought in if a geographic coordinate system is selected In the Menu View Area of the table, click on ‘Map View’ and Ray Cloud? What is the difference between these two views? What does each display and how so? Map View: Gives you Menu Bar Entry Processing area: indicates the project area for which the different outputs will be generated Toolbar Zoom in/out, Change Background Map, Satellite, Maps 2D View Displays the location of the project on Earth and the project elements Status Bar The coordinates of the current mouse position on the 2D Vie are displayed Geographical WDS84 coordinates Selected coordinate systems Ray Cloud: It can visualize different elements of reconstruction like Camera Position, 3D Textured Mesh, Video Animation, their properties, and more point clouds created in other projects or with other software georeferenced a project using GCPs and/or scale and orientation constraints Create orthoplanes to obtain mosaics of any selected plane Verify/improve the accuracy of the reconstruction Assign points of the point cloud to different classes Improve the visual aspect of the reconstruction Create objects, measure distances (polylines) and surfaces Create 3D fly-through animations Export different elements like GCPS, Tie Points, Objects, etc. Create point cloud files using points belonging to one or several groups What is meant by merging project? When is it useful? The merging of multiple projects into a single unified project. It is useful when capturing aerial or terrestrial images from different flights or perspectives to create a single, comprehensive 3D model or orthomosaic.
82 Images were gathered Camera Maker: Skydio Camera Model: 2+ Camera Focal Length: 4mm Name the image: S1021069.JPG Exposure time: 1/1842 sec ISO Value: ISO-100 F-Stop: F/2.8 Knowing the camera maker and model is important because it reveals what the specs are for the lenses, sensors, and image processors. The camera focal length reveals the field of view, depth, and if there are any distortions. Exposure time influences the brightness and image noise. ISO value reveals the sensor’s sensitivity to light and the F-stop value controls the exposure, depth, and sharpness. The images from this scene were geotagged. We know this because we were automatically given a coordinated system table. It gave us longitude, latitude, and altitude. And it gave us UTM Zone 16N.
114 Images were gathered Camera Maker: Skydio Camera Model: 2+ Camera Focal Length: 4mm Name the image: S1021120.JPG Exposure time: 1/1498 sec ISO Value: ISO-101 F-Stop: F/2.8 Knowing the camera maker and model is important because it reveals what the specs are for the lenses, sensors, and image processors. The camera focal length reveals the field of view, depth, and if there are any distortions. Exposure time influences the brightness and image noise. ISO value reveals the sensor’s sensitivity to light and the F-stop value controls the exposure, depth, and sharpness. The images from this scene were geotagged. We know this because we were automatically given a coordinated system table. It gave us longitude, latitude, and altitude. And it gave us UTM Zone 16N.
Rolling Shutter The camera does not capture the entire image at a single instant but rather it scans the scene from top to bottom over a period of time. This can cause rolling shutter distortion. It occurs due to the pair of curtains moving too slowly to be able to capture the details of a fast-moving subject. To reduce this effect, you can increase shutter speed, pan carefully, or use a gimbal stabilizer. Under what processing option would you select to have a contour lines .shp file created? You would select to have contour lines .shp file when selecting the processing option for DSM.
Introduction to Processing Data with PIX4D Software
Introduction
In this document, I began to process data using Pix4D Software with data gathered during UAS 3D Model and Mapping Missions into formats that can be used in GIS and Remote Sensing software. I decided to use Pix4D because it is an incredibly popular software for Structure from Motion Muli-View-Stereo or for constructing point clouds. In this document you will see my steps in opening and setting up the software, exploring the software using the Help Manual, what I did with my data, and how I processed the data.
Objectives to the lab
Part 1: Open the Software
Figure 1. Pix4Dmapper Software
I used a Windows computer that was available to me at Purdue University Airport. Purdue University Unmanned Aerial System’s department has 25 available licenses for Pix4D mapper. Once I was logged into Pix4D, I had to update to the most recent version. If I did not do this, I risked the software system crashing while I tried to process my data.
Part 2: Explore the Help Document
To explore and understand Pix4D I used the following resources to answer the questions below.
Video Academy Questions
Questions relating to the Getting Started Index and Computer Requirements
Questions relating to the Software Manual
Part 3: Work with your data
Before processing any of the data, I needed to set up and organize my file folder. I created a folder tree that holds all my information in an organized way. See images below.
Figure 2. Folder Tree
Figure 3. Folder Tree
Figure 4. Folder Tree
Figure 5. Folder Tree
After organizing these file folders. I put all my data in the images folder and created file folders for each mission.
Part 4: Process the data
Mission 1: ‘Accident’ Scene
To process the data from the “accident scene”, I first analyzed the images in my folder. Refer to the table below:
Why is this information useful for determining the quality of the imagery?
After analyzing all my images, I started to process my data. First, I added my processing folder to Pix4D so that all my data would be organized in my file tree. I named this mission “Week4_3dscan_Turffarm_JeepCompass”. I then added all the images to the folder. I then was able to see that my data was geotagged and was given a coordinate system. I then selected the 3D Model Template. Next, I was given a quality report which I looked over and everything was accurate. Then, I checked off DSM, Orthomosaic, and Index, leaving only Initial Processing and Point Cloud and Mesh on. Next, I began to process the data.
The entire processing of this dataset took about 6 minutes. When the data was finished processing, I was provided with the following images.
Figure 6. Accident Scene 3D Model with Triangle Mesh
Figure 7. Accident Scene 3D Model with Triangle Mesh
Mission 2: Light pole
I followed the same steps as I did for Mission 1 but used images from the 3D Tower Scan instead. However, this dataset took longer to process, about 20 minutes. The information regarding this flight is stated below:
Why is this information useful for determining the quality of the imagery?
Figure 8. 3D Tower Scan with Triangle Mesh
My tower did not process correctly due to me not collecting enough data above the light pole. This could’ve been due to me setting my ceiling too low for my mapping mission.
Skydio 2+ Shutter Type
Figure 9. Processing Options that showed .shp file
Link to animated fly through of the Accident Scene.
Link to animated fly through of the Light Pole.
Summary
In this lab I learned what and why the Pix4D software is important and how to use it. I learned the importance of file organization and naming. In addition, I learned how to use a Help Manual to navigate a new foreign software system. Lastly, I learned how to effectively process data into a 3D Model. In the future, I will use Pix4D, along with other software, to process my data and learn how to analyze it.
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