Abstract
Abstract. Photogrammetric data capture of complex 3D objects using UAV imagery has become commonplace. Software tools based on algorithms like Structure-from-Motion and multi-view stereo image matching enable the fully automatic generation of densely meshed 3D point clouds. In contrast, the planning of a suitable image network usually requires considerable effort of a human expert, since this step directly influences the precision and completeness of the resulting point cloud. Planning of suitable camera stations can be rather complex, in particular for objects like buildings, bridges and monuments, which frequently feature strong depth variations to be acquired by high resolution images at a short distance. Within the paper, we present an automatic flight mission planning tool, which generates flight lines while aiming at camera configurations, which maintain a roughly constant object distance, provide sufficient image overlap and avoid unnecessary stations. Planning is based on a coarse Digital Surface Model and an approximate building outline. As a proof of concept, we use the tool within our research project MoVEQuaD, which aims at the reconstruction of building geometry at sub-centimetre accuracy.
Highlights
One of the most popular applications of UAS photogrammetry is the substitution of standard aerial image flights while aiming at cost efficient and flexible data collection for areas of limited extent
In such scenarios UAS platforms capture nadir imagery in the framework of a standard block, typically consisting of parallel flight lines, potentially enhanced by some cross strips. Such imagery typically serves as the basis for generating DSMs, DTMs and true-ortho photos and is captured at a Ground Sampling Distance (GSD), which corresponds to the aspired DSM and ortho raster-width
The flying height above ground of the close-to-nadir imagery captured at straight, parallel flight lines is determined by the pixel size and focal length of the used camera
Summary
One of the most popular applications of UAS photogrammetry is the substitution of standard aerial image flights while aiming at cost efficient and flexible data collection for areas of limited extent In such scenarios UAS platforms capture nadir imagery in the framework of a standard block, typically consisting of parallel flight lines, potentially enhanced by some cross strips. While traditional products like 2.5D DSM raster representations are typically generated from nadir imagery, dense matching in close range scenarios and from oblique views aims at data collection in complex 3D environments This calls for the reconstruction of true 3D geometry represented by point clouds and triangle meshes and depth maps and volume scalar-fields. Simplification of its operation - and thereby a raise in efficiency - is achieved through a software process chain for mission planning and execution, which will be described in the remainder of this paper
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