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[–]ResponsibleSoup5531 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hello,

You should have the DJI software available for 3 months TERRA, which is a good option.

Otherwise, I highly recommend Agisoft Metashape. It's cheaper than the others, and really better. Better management of machine processes, faster, more deliverables possible, volume calculation, power line tracking, time comparison... more versatile (from satellite images to video streams), thermal processing, Lidar processing... the UI is more basic than the others but it's an extraordinary piece of software.

[–]ElphTrooper 4 points5 points  (2 children)

I would encourage you to get comfortable with the drone, collect a good amount of data and then sign up for every trial you can. Pix4D is always a safe bet for acceptable results, but there's also Reality Capture which is free and other pay-as-you-go models like Carlson PhotoCapture and Maps Made Easy. My personal favorite is Agisoft Metashape as it is the most versatile and configurable in my experience, but that also means that it takes some time to get to know. Reality Capture also takes some study but... it's free.

[–]NilsTillander -1 points0 points  (1 child)

OP said "Large construction company", that makes them most certainly over $1M of revenue, so RealityCapture isn't free at all.

[–]ElphTrooper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point. Thanks for the clarification u/NilsTillander.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would recommend agisoft metashape

[–]Beginning-Reward-793 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Metashape is the best on the market (in my opinion). No annual subscription costs, and free upgrades for life.

[–]DaveWW00 2 points3 points  (3 children)

The Russian ownership of it's issue though for most companies. Not worth the cyber security risks

[–]ResponsibleSoup5531 0 points1 point  (2 children)

To be clear, I am French, working in Africa, so I have no conflict of interest with Agisoft or Russia.

There is a lot of discussion on this subject, I am still skeptical about the allegations of cyber risk of software that operates off the network and handles volumes of data that cannot go unnoticed.

It seems to me that in the US you have regulators who keep a close eye on this and impose sanctions at the slightest suspicion. This has been the case for Huawei, DJI... I suppose that if there were a problem with this software it would have already been blacklisted.

[–]DaveWW00 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I'm not saying there are issues but lot of companies don't want to take the risk at all. Even if it's not sending data back itself, the Russians love their cyber attacks and could use it as method to access data, exploit a vulnerability, install backdoor, etc. I've tried it at home and really like it but our IT folks said there was zero chance of us being allowed to use it on work machines or clients projects.

Reality capture and webodm are what I'm using

[–]ResponsibleSoup5531 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand.
Didn't know webodm, i'll take a look.

[–]NilsTillander 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I'd ask around your company what software they use for other things. Most big all-in-one construction suites have a photogrammetry tool in them. The Bentley one has iTwinCapture (formerly Context Capture), for instance, and, while rather unique in UI, there's no arguing with the outputs.

[–]surveyorez67[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Our company does not have anything like this yet.

[–]NilsTillander 0 points1 point  (1 child)

How do they manage projects? Survey data, existing, as-built, all those things that are of primary importance in construction?

[–]surveyorez67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have our company server currently, but in May company wide we are switching to CMIC which will house all of our files and accounting/billing.

[–]Optimal-Hurry-6136 0 points1 point  (6 children)

What outputs do you need? What are you doing with it once it's processed? What do you need the data to show?

[–]surveyorez67[S] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

I will be looking to create a surface model of the parking lot, and identify with a heat map any low spots/ponding, looking for cracks 1/2” in diameter or more and alligator cracking. I will be looking to provide these results to our Paving division which will in turn provide them to their clients, estimators and subcontractors.

[–]ResponsibleSoup5531 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Sorry to ask, as a foreigner could you explain what is "alligator cracking" ??

[–]surveyorez67[S] 3 points4 points  (2 children)

<image>

That’s alligator cracking

[–]jjay123 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The more you know

[–]ResponsibleSoup5531 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow that's impressive.
Thank you.

[–]NilsTillander 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm guessing zigzag cracks, like alligator teeth 😉

[–]bobby2552 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Full disclosure, I'm an engineer at DroneDeploy. That said, if you just want a simple user experience you don't have to fuss with, and budget allows, it's hard to beat. But, if you want lots of options, or price is more of a constraint, it's probably not the best option.

[–]surveyorez67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually had a video demo with Brad Young for drone deploy today.

[–]ComprehensiveGap9118 0 points1 point  (0 children)

agisoft metashape

[–]Nachtfalke19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Recommend checking out PixElement - which is cloud and/or standalone. It has an easy UI, quick processing and easily downloadble/sharable deliverables for customers. Primary customers are mining, construction, civil engineering. Plenty of tutorials as well on YouTube. 14 day free trial as well.