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In my view, many people might think that UAV aerial photography is mainly used for social media sharing or casual photography. However, the practical applications of aerial photography are far more extensive and impactful. For instance, you can create a 3D model of a landmark like the Small Wild Goose Pagoda using aerial imagery and obtain valuable data for various purposes. This way, drones can transform from mere recreational tools into essential production tools.
Today, I’ll break this topic into two parts to demonstrate how you can achieve this process. This article draws inspiration from the latest July issue of Focus magazine (available on Tmall).
The author recalls their experience preparing for their graduation thesis. They struggled to find a suitable topic until they came across an article about constructing 3D models. Around the same time, a friend purchased a Wizard 2V+, which sparked the idea of using multi-angle aerial images to build a 3D digital terrain model.
Many people remain fascinated by this subject, so this time, I’ll combine the portability and power of the Mavic Pro to provide a practical demonstration of single-target aerial modeling.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/59/71/75/c2.jpg]
Early on, determining the purpose and scope of the modeling is crucial. Generally, aerial photography modeling can be categorized into two main types: interest point target modeling and large-scale target modeling. Interest point modeling focuses on smaller, concentrated areas such as hills, buildings, or clusters of structures. These can be further divided into individual and collective targets. This type of modeling often uses the point-of-interest method to gather initial materials. Large-scale modeling, as the name suggests, involves broader areas including buildings and terrain. Typically, this involves waypoint planning and capturing multi-angle images while adjusting the platform’s tilt to an optimal angle.
For this case, we’re focusing on Xi’an’s iconic Small Wild Goose Pagoda, creating a 3D model of this classic architectural masterpiece.
The equipment used for this project is none other than the impressive Mavic Pro from DJI. While it may be considered an entry-level drone, it’s more than capable of handling aerial photography tasks.
First, you need to set the camera. Switch to the camera mode, then click the parameter adjustment button on the right to enter the camera settings. Choose the timer option. If you’re shooting in DNG format, the minimum interval is 10 seconds, but we typically use JPEG. Taking more photos improves the effectiveness of the modeling, but don’t go overboard—your computer might struggle to handle too many files. A 5-second or longer interval works well. Once you’ve settled on your settings, you’re ready to begin.
This tower serves as an excellent textbook for single-target aerial photography modeling. The Mavic Pro is flown directly to the top of the tower. Always prioritize safety when flying in such locations—maintain line of sight (up to 500 meters in distance and 120 meters in height).
After confirming safety, click on the left side of the drone to activate the point-of-interest orbit mode. Set the point of interest to the current location of the drone and adjust the surrounding height accordingly.
Pull the remote control to a suitable distance. This distance represents the radius of the circle, and you can see all the data in the right window. Modify the return altitude as needed, adjusting based on the specific flight environment. You’ll also notice hints suggesting you can adjust the radius using the remote control, which adds convenience during shooting. Adjust the camera so the entire building fits on the screen—no need for composition, just ensure the full image is captured. Set the proper flight speed and initiate the circular flight.
Once the flight begins, hide the point-of-interest interface and start taking pictures. During the process, there will be a brief black screen—don’t worry, let it finish shooting.
Throughout the session, ensure at least one complete circle is captured around the building. From the data, you’ll notice the height remains steady at 79 meters, with no noticeable drops, and the aircraft maintains a positive orientation. This demonstrates the Mavic Pro’s ability to handle aerial modeling tasks effectively.
There’s a possibility that obstacles might interfere with communication between the drone and the remote control during point-of-interest flights. Stay calm, don’t panic or turn off the remote control. Adjust the antenna’s position and orientation toward the aircraft. If the connection is lost, the drone will follow the pre-set flight path. Don’t turn off the remote control—once it reconnects after passing through the obstruction, it will continue the mission. The Mavic Pro’s signal strength is quite reliable, so I even tested it by moving to the next room to simulate signal blockage. The results confirmed the robustness of the signal—three bars remained, and the drone continued operating smoothly.
After completing the first circle, adjust the flight height and radius. Initially, the radius was 44 meters and the height was 80 meters. Use the remote control to move the aircraft and change the flight radius and height. Moving closer to the point of interest reduces the radius, while moving away increases it. Throttle adjustments directly affect the aircraft’s height, while turning changes its orientation. If you accidentally adjust incorrectly, click Reset to realign the point of interest.
Since the overall outline has been captured in one circle, you can approach the building to photograph some details. You don’t need to include the entire building in the frame—you only need to focus on the finer details. For example, the exterior of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is irregular, so capturing these details requires closer shots. Reduce the radius to bring the aircraft closer.
As the tower is essentially a vertical structure, reducing the height allows for more detailed documentation. The clarity of the photographs directly impacts the texture quality in post-production—higher resolution is always better.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/59/71/76/436425c7288.jpg]
Using the point-of-interest method ensures comprehensive and detailed recording of such targets. DJI GO offers a user-friendly interface with intelligent features that simplify flight data adjustments during shooting, making material collection easier. However, note that the Mavic Pro lacks obstacle avoidance functions during point-of-interest operations, so be cautious of potential hazards.
Before flying, familiarize yourself with the target area to ensure the drone captures everything necessary. Missing edges or obscured sections can result in incomplete post-modeling, leading to suboptimal results. Consider this during flight planning. Notice how each edge of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda extends outward—if viewed only from above, the underside would remain uncollected. Thus, reduce the flying height and capture images horizontally or diagonally upward.
Generally, two or three orbits at varying heights suffice for moderate precision modeling. If certain details remain unclear, exit the orbital mode and manually position the drone for additional shots. The general rule is to gather as much image data as possible while avoiding blind spots and maintaining safety.
Ultimately, we gathered a series of photos containing all the necessary building information. Organizing them into a separate folder completed our initial material collection.
Judging from the collection process, the Mavic Pro performs exceptionally well during circular flights, maintaining consistent altitude and producing sharp images. Despite the narrower field of view, this doesn’t hinder post-production.
Before modeling, it’s advisable to use Lightroom to adjust and color the images. This step significantly impacts the final model’s appearance. Online tutorials abound, so feel free to explore.
After processing the images, export them with vibrant colors. These materials will now support our 3D modeling efforts.
[Image: http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/59/71/75/f1deff85968.jpg]
This exclusive content comes from the July 2017 issue of Focus magazine. The author is Zhang Kai. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. Interested readers are welcome to follow us.
Author: @Focus Magazine’s WeChat Official Account – Search “jiaodianzz†on WeChat.
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