Aerial image processing software

USER MANUAL

Version 1.8.3
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

TABLE OF CONTENTS: ............................................................................... 3

ABOUT ............................................................................................................ 5
RECOMMENDED HARDWARE SPECIFICATION ................................. 5
WORK FLOW ................................................................................................ 6

3.1 Preparation .................................................................................................. 6

3.2 Aerotriangulation and reconstruction ......................................................... 7

3.2.1 Load images .................................................................................................. 7
3.2.2 Bundle adjustment ......................................................................................... 8
3.2.2.1 Sensor size and focal length .......................................................... 8
3.2.3 Orientation .................................................................................................. 10
3.2.3.1 Automatic orientation ................................................................. 11
3.2.3.2 Semiautomatic orientation .......................................................... 13
3.2.3.3 Troubleshooting with orientation ............................................... 18
3.2.4 Reconstruction............................................................................................. 19

3.3 Point cloud manipulation ........................................................................... 20

3.3.1 Point rendering ............................................................................................ 21
3.3.2 Point snapping ............................................................................................. 22
3.3.3 3Dsurvey viewer ......................................................................................... 22
3.3.4 Point selection ............................................................................................. 25
3.3.5 deleting Points ............................................................................................. 26
3.3.6 ManipulaTING points ................................................................................. 26
3.3.7 Calculating Profile ...................................................................................... 28
3.3.7.1 Single profile ................................................................................ 30
3.3.7.2 Transverse profiles ...................................................................... 34
3.3.7.3 Profile manipulation .................................................................... 39
3.3.7.3.1 Profile points ................................................................. 40
3.3.7.3.2 Profile lines.................................................................... 41

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 3.3.7.3.3 Anchor points ................................................................ 41
3.3.7.3.4 Reset view ..................................................................... 42
3.3.7.3.5 Reconnect ...................................................................... 42
3.3.7.3.6 Delete............................................................................. 44
3.3.7.3.7 Export DXF ................................................................... 44
3.3.7.3.8 Export PDF .................................................................... 44
3.3.7.3.9 Vertical exaggeration..................................................... 45
3.3.7.3.10 Text size ...................................................................... 45
3.3.8 Point cloud Merge ....................................................................................... 46
3.3.9 Height map .................................................................................................. 47
3.3.10 Delete ............................................................................................... 48
3.3.11 Point picking .................................................................................... 48
3.3.12 Saving point clouds .......................................................................... 49

3.4 Digital surface model manipulation ............................................................ 50

3.4.1 CalculatING digital surface model (DSM).................................................. 50
3.4.3 Drape DOF .................................................................................................. 52
3.4.4 View styles .................................................................................................. 52
3.4.6 Flatten.......................................................................................................... 53
3.4.7 Volume calculation ..................................................................................... 55
3.4.8 Delete .......................................................................................................... 60

3.5 Digital orthophoto manipulation ................................................................ 60

3.5.1 Digital orthophoto calculation ..................................................................... 60
3.5.2 Digital orthophoto corrections..................................................................... 62
3.5.3 DOF Cut ...................................................................................................... 64
3.5.4 Merge DOF ................................................................................................. 66
3.5.5 Calculate area .............................................................................................. 67
3.5.6 Delete .......................................................................................................... 67
GENERATING REPORT: ........................................................................... 68

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 ABOUT

3Dsurvey is a photogrammetric software solution that lets you create

your own orthophotos (DOF), generate digital surface models (DSM)
and calculate volumes in a fast and easy manner. Processing is fully
automatic and is done based on images and ground control points
(GCP).

The contents of this user manual will let you know everything you
need to work like a professional and get stunning results. For more
information, support details or tutorials visit our website
www.3Dsurvey.si.

RECOMMENDED HARDWARE
SPECIFICATION
System: Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, 64 bit

CPU: Intel i5/i7

Memory: 8GB RAM or more

Graphics GeForce GTX 760 or any other

card: Nvidia

Recommended system settings:

a) Using notebook PC: Set Power plan to high performance

b) Using additional graphics card: Dedicate it to 3Dsurvey

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 WORK FLOW
3.1 Preparation
Create a project folder on your hard drive and copy images from SD
card into the folder. Save ground control points coordinates (GCP) file
into the same folder. GCP file needs to be saved as *.txt. File data
needs to follow this order: point name, x coordinate, y coordinate, z
coordinate – space delimited.

Example of a GCP file:

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 Start 3Dsurvey and set preferred language. Click Options -> Language
and select language. Changes will be seen after resetting the
application, as noted in a pop up window.

3.2 Aerotriangulation and reconstruction

3.2.1 LOAD IMAGES

Start 3Dsurvey, click Images - > Load images and select project
images in your folder.

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3.2.2 BUNDLE ADJUSTMENT
Click Bundle Adjustment tab to calculate parameters of camera
orientations.

3.2.2.1 Sensor size and focal length

3Dsurvey has a large database of camera models and their
sensor sizes. If the camera is not in the database an
Unknown camera data type will appear as its device name.

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Set the correct Focal length, Sensor Width or Sensor
diagonal in millimetres or inches.
If you are not able to find camera parameters select
Estimate automatically and the software will calculate the
best value for your camera.

Click Continue to start Bundle adjustment.

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 After you are finished with Bundle Adjustment, click Project -
> Save and continue with orientation and reconstruction.

3.2.3 ORIENTATION
Click Orientation tab to geo-locate your project.

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Follow the Orientation pop up wizard; select the ground control points
file (*.txt) and click next.

Images GCP Map

t t accuracy
accura
cy

Residual
s

3.2.3.1 Automatic orientation

t
accuracy
Select an image containing GCP in the left pane of the pop up
window. Scroll to zoom in or out. For automatic orientation,
mark GCP with a right mouse click. The point gets an orange
circle and a question mark, as its name isn’t defined yet.

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 Mark two additional GCPs from across the surveyed area.
Upon selecting the third GCP the automatic recognition for all
other GCPs will start automatically. GCPs now appear in green
circles with names identified.

If you mismark the position of a GCP click Clear all marks

button and repeat the steps.

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3.2.3.2 Semiautomatic orientation
Use the GCP Map and; 1) select the name of the ground control
point on the GCP map with a left mouse click (i.e. 2009); 2)
mark its position on an image with a left mouse click. The
position gets a blue circle and an ID.

If you mismark the position of a GCP click Clear mark button

and repeat the step. Clear all marks button clears all selected
positions.

Mark two additional GCPs from across the surveyed area.

Upon selecting the third GCP the automatic recognition for all
other GCPs will start automatically. GCPs now appear in green
circles with names identified.

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In the lower right pane of the window you will find residuals of marked
points. Residuals should be within 1m. Keep in mind that the selected
GCPs automatic positions need to be checked for calculation errors
on all images. Green circles must mark all GCPs targets. If not, correct
them manually by selecting the name of a GCP on a GCP Map
followed by marking the exact position on an image.

When all markers are in place click next to continue with orientation.
In the figure below we can see the automatic recognition of ground
control points. If the target is not recognised marking is eliminated
and coloured in red. If you want to include it in your orientation
anyway simply double-click it and the red overlay will disappear.
You can also correct the automatic recognition simply by clicking the
image and moving the centre of GCP to the green cross. The same

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applies if you want to correct the positions of GCPs that have been
automatically detected but not measured perfectly due to bad
conditions during data acquisition. If you wish to change the scale of
the images use the slider at the bottom of the pane.

When all points are marked correctly, click next, to check for
orientation’s accuracy.

Orientation summary displays GCP errors. Check GCPs accuracy by

observing their residuals. If residuals show high misplacement of a
certain GCP it should be revisited. Click back button in the upper left
corner and repeat the marking. Click Finish when they are adequate.
Save your project.

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To achieve better accuracy select a couple of GCPs as Check points,
or mark points that you established for control.

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Proceed with either automatic or semi-automatic orientation as
previously described.

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Going back to orientation summary, you can observe the adjusted
accuracy. In this case orientation is computed based only on selected
GCPs due to 4 points being used as control points. As described
above, residuals need to be low. If they are high markings need to be
corrected.

If you do not use control points your results will be similar to those
presented on page 14.

3.2.3.3 Troubleshooting with orientation

If your automatically selected point markers do not match, residuals
will show coordinate differences that exceed 1m limit. Click clear all
marks and proceed with semiautomatic orientation, as described
above.
Keep in mind that all selected points need to be checked manually, as
well. Look for misplacements and readjust the markers where
necessary. An example of such situation is in the image below.

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3.2.4 RECONSTRUCTION
The next step is Reconstruction of a dense point cloud. Click
Reconstruction and set your Reconstruction level. There are 6 levels
(5 – lowest, 0 – highest). Below is a description of all levels along with
the processing time. There were 61 images to reconstruct in this
case.
- 5 with a maximum of 1000 images per batch ( 3’/61 images),
- 4 with a maximum of 1000 images per batch ( 4’/61 images),
- 3 with a maximum of 858 images per batch ( 9’/61 images),
- 2 with a maximum of 214 images per batch ( 34’/61 images),
- 1 with a maximum of 53 images per batch ( 2h16’/61 images),
- 0 with a maximum of 13 images per batch ( 27h30’/61 images).

Processing speed and number of images per batch both depend on

RAM capability and image resolution.

Use minimal number of images should NOT be ticked if you want the
best results.

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3.3 Point cloud manipulation
The calculated point cloud will appear in Point Cloud tab. To
manipulate the point cloud use: 1) left mouse click to rotate, 2) scroll
to zoom in or out and 3) middle mouse button to pan the model.

Point Cloud includes points from surface, buildings, vegetation and

other objects. Digital Orthophoto production requires a digital terrain
model; therefore all obstructions and points that do not define the
terrain itself need to be deleted.

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3.3.1 POINT RENDERING

Use the Point render size bar to increase or decrease the point size of
a Point Cloud (PC).

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3.3.2 POINT SNAPPING
Use the Point snapping tool to inspect the 3D coordinates of a Point
Cloud. The x, y, z values are presented in the lower left corner of
3Dsurvey window.

3.3.3 3Dsurvey VIEWER

Use Reset view to set the default view.

If you would like to view a Point Cloud or DSM in nadir, click Top down
button. The model can now be rotated only around z axis. The button
is coloured blue when turned on and stays ON unless it is manually
turned OFF.

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If you would like to view a Point Cloud in orthogonal projection, click
Ortho mode button. The model can be rotated in any direction. Disable
the Ortho mode by clicking the button one more time.

Use Free flight to capture movies of your 3D model. Use any external
software and smoothly fly through and around your 3D model and
objects. Do so by using: left mouse click + keyboard; A to move left, D
to move right, W to move forward, S to move backward, F to zoom in,
R to zoom out, V to zoom in the centre, Scroll to set vertical view
angle, + to speed up and – to slow down.

If you wish to see Point Cloud and DSM at the same time, click Point
cloud & DSM button. You can use this function in Point Cloud tab or

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DSM tab. This is a useful tool when working with Point Picking
function.

Bounding Box is a useful tool for two reasons.

First; move sections freely left, right, up or down and the tool lets you
easily inspect the data inside the box whilst ignoring everything
outside your box selection.
Second; sliding 2 opposite Bounding Box panes together gives you a
3D profile of the surface model. To move through the 3D model press
CTRL and left- click the Bounding Box pane and you’ll be able to slide
it in any direction and explore all the sections on the fly. Turning on
the Heightmap displays the height differences even more clearly.
Use Bounding box in either point cloud tab or DSM tab.
It is possible to inspect the differences between several point clouds
or surfaces, of course. For example, loading two point clouds from the
same area but measured at a different time and using Bounding Box
will clearly show the difference. Apply different colours to surfaces for
even more impressive results.

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3.3.4 POINT SELECTION
Click Select button and draw a selection around the area. Use a left
mouse click and finish the selection with a right mouse click.
Selected points will be coloured.

Use Deselect function to remove points from your selection. Again,

select with a left mouse click, finish with a right mouse click. Use ESC
on your keyboard to cancel selection or click clear button.

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3.3.5 DELETING POINTS

To delete points you need to select them first.

Delete selected points either by clicking Delete selected button or use

delete button on your keyboard.
Use Delete other function to quickly delete everything else not
selected.
Use Undo or Redo function in case you change your mind.

3.3.6 MANIPULATING POINTS

Pop up window Manipulate points enables you to set height,

increase height or compute average height of selected area.

Select the area and click set height. Type in the new height and
click OK. The selected points will be moved to the new value.

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In case you would like to lower or raise the selected points use
increase height function and type in the value. For example, to lower
the points by 0,5m enter -0,5. To raise the points by 1,5m enter 1,5
and click OK.

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 You can also compute the average height of selected points. First,
select the area, go to Manipulate points and click Average height.

3.3.7 CALCULATING PROFILE

Calculate profile is a nice tool to present 3D terrain model with
characteristic lines. 3Dsurvey offers great functionalities for
calculating profile lines as well as a lot of manipulation tools and
export options.

Start the Calculate profile function in the Point Cloud tab by clicking
Calculate profile. The pop up window will appear and you can set the
following:

- Consider point within distance: 0.15 by default – distance of

buffer zone for snapping longitudinal profile to Point Cloud,

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- Approximate segment length: 0.15 by default – approximate
stationary distance of longitudinal profile,
- Calculate transverse profiles: disabled by default – set computing
of transverse profiles,
- Distance between transverse profiles: 10 by default – stationary
distance on longitudinal profile to compute transverse profiles
- Length of transverse profile on each side: 10 by default – width
of either flank of transverse profile.

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3.3.7.1 Single profile

To calculate a Single profile the Calculate transverse profiles must be

disabled. Click Select profile definition line to define a profile.

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Use a left mouse click to select a profile definition line and a right
mouse click to finish the selection.

Calculated profile in the Point cloud tab.

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Calculated profile in the DSM tab.

Calculated profile in the Orthophoto tab.

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You can access the calculated profile via the Profile tab, as well. There is an
option to manipulate profile data:

- You can change the text size for X axis, Y axis or Profile title. You
can rename the profile by double clicking the profile name.

- Reconnect the anchor point by left mouse clicking the 2 red dots
and Reconnect button or the R key on your keyboard.

- Move the anchor point by drag & dropping it or delete it with left
mouse click selection and delete button on your keyboard.

- You can turn off profile point, profile lines or anchor points.

- You can change the scale between X and Y axis.

When you are pleased with your profile section graph you can export it to
*.dxf or *.pdf.
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3.3.7.2 Transverse profiles

To compute a transverse profile, Calculate transverse profiles must

be enabled. Click Select profile definition line to define a profile.

Enter the distance between transversal profiles, 10m for example. Go

on by entering the length of the profile on each side, 50m for example.
Click Select profile definition line.

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Start the selection with a left moose click and finish it with a right
mouse click. Give it a few moments and you’ll see the transversal
profiles or section lines automatically generated based on selected
parameters.

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Here you can see the profile of selected definition line along with
transverse profiles. Delete all obstructions for a clear representation
of terrain model. Raw point cloud is left turned on in this case to see
the difference even more clearly.

The same profile presented in the DSM tab.

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Calculated profiles in the DOF tab.

Profile tab - Transverse profiles are presented under the longitudinal

profile. Zoom in to inspect the specific profile or double-click the
profile in the list. You can also zoom in to specific profile by left-
clicking a section line in the longitudinal profile.

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Use the same functionalities when working with multiple point clouds
to observe and compare all the differences.

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3.3.7.3 Profile manipulation

Use profile manipulation buttons from the bottom of the profile

window to play with your results.

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3.3.7.3.1 Profile points

Profile points (coloured in grey) are calculated based on the point

cloud data - points detected in the definition line buffer zone.

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3.3.7.3.2 Profile lines

Profile lines are lines that define the profile by connecting the anchor
points.

3.3.7.3.3 Anchor points

Anchor points - interpolated points based on profile points.

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3.3.7.3.4 Reset view

Reset view – default view.

3.3.7.3.5 Reconnect

It is a tool that helps you correct profile lines for even better results.
Reconnect the anchor point by selecting 2 red dots and Reconnect
button or the R key on your keyboard.

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All the anchor points between two selected ones will be deleted.

Use a double mouse click to add a new anchor point.

To move the existing anchor points drag & drop them with a left
mouse click.

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3.3.7.3.6 Delete

This function deletes selected anchor points and automatically

reconnects their former neighbouring points.

3.3.7.3.7 Export DXF

3Dsurvey offers an option to export profile lines in *.dxf format which

is compatible with most of CAD software.

3.3.7.3.8 Export PDF

Use this option to export the actual view in *.pdf. Before the export set
all the parameters (text size, profile name, view...)

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3.3.7.3.9 Vertical exaggeration

Vertical exaggeration slide bar allows you to emphasize the vertical

scale of your profile.

3.3.7.3.10 Text size

Profile title – change Profile title text size.

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 X – axis - change X value text size.
Y – axis - change Y value text size.

3.3.8 POINT CLOUD MERGE

3Dsurvey allows you to merge point clouds from different flights and
of different types. For example, you can merge photogrammetric
point cloud, LIDAR data or points measured with traditional method
(control points). Simply select point clouds you would like to merge
and click Merge button.

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 The result is a new point cloud.

3.3.9 HEIGHT MAP

Use Height map function to inspect calculated data by height. Utilize
the hypsometric view in the Point Cloud tab or DSM tab. The height
scale is available on the left side of the window.

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3.3.10 DELETE

Select the point cloud you would like to delete and click delete button.

3.3.11 POINT PICKING

Point picking tool is specifically designed to create characteristic
points from a point cloud. To avoid importing millions of points into
you software when generating your survey plan simply pick points you
want and connect them or use them as height attributes.

The tool calculates the average height of the blue circle (see Image
below) and helps you get the most accurate terrain height in case of a
bad texture (i.e. asphalt). Use the Point picking slider to change the
circle’s radius.

An example of three selected options:

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3.3.12 SAVING POINT CLOUDS
Start by saving your project. Go to Point cloud -> Save as and select
from a dropdown menu:
- *.ply – Stanford mesh file
- *.koo – file of coordinates,
- *.las – laser format file,
- *.txt – text file.

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3.4 Digital surface model manipulation

3.4.1 CALCULATING DIGITAL SURFACE MODEL

(DSM)
Go to DSM -> Calculate new and set the parameters.

To generate an Orthophoto the default parameters are:

 Grid cell size: 1.0m
 Hole filling mode: All
 Smoothing size: 3 cells

The lowest grid cell size value is 0,02m and generates the most
detailed result.

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To export computed DSMs to different formats go to DSM -> Save as
and select from a dropdown menu:
- *.ply – default Stanford mesh file
- *.koo – file of coordinates,
- *.txt – text file.

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3.4.3 DRAPE DOF
For better visualization and presentation, DOF can be placed on top of
DSM. Open DOF folder, select model and click Drape DOF.

The result of placing selected orthophoto over a DSM is a fully

realistic 3D model.

3.4.4 VIEW STYLES

Different view styles are available.

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Click Show grid button to view DSM wire surface.

Click Wire only to see the triangulated mesh.

3.4.6 FLATTEN
Use Flatten function to take irregularities out of DSM and apply
smooth, even surface.

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Select the area with a left mouse click, finish the selection with a right
mouse click, inspect the selection and click Flatten. Surface
smoothness will be calculated based on edge-of-selection points.

This is what it looks like after using Flatten function.

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 3.4.7 VOLUME CALCULATION
a) Volume calculation based on one surface
Calculate volume of material for a single measurement. This option
comes in handy when calculating the volume of excavated material.

Calculate or load point cloud of the area -> Click DSM -> Calculate
New and set DSM calculation parameters as shown in the image
below.

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 Click Select button to define the area for which you want to calculate
the volume. Start the selection with a left mouse click, finish it with a
right mouse click and press Calculate volume.

Lower surface of your selection is generated based on edge-of-

selection points. The results contain the following:
- Fill – volume of needed mass to fill holes below mean surface.
- Cut – volume of mass above mean surface
- Area 3D – three dimensional area of selected surface
- Area 2D – horizontal area of selected surface

b) Volume calculation based on two surfaces (two consecutive

measurements) Measure the volume difference between two
consecutive measurements. Ideal for construction site monitoring.

How?

Calculate or load two point clouds of the area you would like to
calculate -> Click DSM -> Calculate New and set DSM calculation
parameters as shown in the image below.

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Select the area of interest and check the selected surfaces.

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Use Delete other button to see the selection a bit more clearly and to
be able to save the results exactly.

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Click Calculate volume button and save results.

The results contain the following:

- Fill – volume of added mass
- Cut – volume of removed mass
- Area 3D – three dimensional area of selected surfaces
- Area 2D – horizontal area of selected surfaces.

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 Important: to calculate the volume differences between two surfaces
the DSM parameters have to be the same!

3.4.8 DELETE
Select DSM files you would like to delete and click delete button.

3.5 Digital orthophoto manipulation

3.5.1 DIGITAL ORTHOPHOTO CALCULATION

Go to DOF -> Calculate new.

Set Desired resolution, 2cm for example. As the value may not be
computed, Actual resolution is displayed below. It is an outcome of
your desired value and DSM cell size, which is based on selected
DSM. If you click more, you can check split DOF box. Default Tile
maximum size is set to 20.000, meaning DOF will be split if it exceeds
20.000 pixels. Click Calculate to start the orthophoto calculation.

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Save your project. Go to DOF -> Save as and select the export format
from a dropdown menu:
- *.jpg *.jpeg + *.jgw
- *.tif *.tiff + *.tfw
- *.png + *.pgw

Georeferenced data file is automatically generated with every

orthophoto image.

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3.5.2 DIGITAL ORTHOPHOTO CORRECTIONS
To calculate a digital orthophoto follow steps from 3Dsurvey
Workflow chapter. If you are not satisfied with the results use
correction tools to improve on them.

Because of low-altitude flights there are often obstructions in your

imagery (i.e. objects on roofs of buildings). That can easily be
corrected with the Recalculate DOF tool.

Note: Simply loading your orthophoto into 3Dsurvey is not enough to

use Recalculate DOF function. To do so you need to go through the
whole process of DOF calculation.

How?

After your orthophoto is calculated, select the area you would like to
recalculate with Select button and click Recalculate DOF.

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3Dsurvey will automatically show you images needed. Select one,
click Confirm and wait for results.

In case you have several objects to work on repeat the same process
across the area. Click Recalculate DOF button to finish.

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Results:

Before After

3.5.3 DOF CUT

Use DOF cut function to split the orthophoto map into smaller parts
or simply create a new orthophoto from the area in question. This
will reduce the size of your files and speed up further work with your
results.

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Select the area by left-clicking and dragging your mouse over
the image to draw a selection rectangle.

Click Confirm to calculate DOF cut.

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3.5.4 MERGE DOF

In case you have 2 orthophoto maps calculated from images taken

during two different flights you can use Merge DOF function and
produce a single orthophoto map.
Click Merge button to start.
Continue by selecting the area for you merged orthophoto. To
select it you can simply use a left mouse click or you can do it by
setting specific coordinates of the map corners.
Select the area and click Next.
The Merge wizard will appear. Select the first orthophoto and click
Paste selected DOF. Select the second orthophoto, set the Alpha
to medium position to clearly see the coverage of two orthophoto
maps.
Click Select merge area and use a left mouse to select it, right
click to finish it, set the Blending size to 50 and click Merge
selection. Try to avoid any obstructions when selecting your
merge area. That will help you get the best results.

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 As a result you get a single orthophoto map. Click Finish if you’re
pleased with it or simply repeat the merging process for
improvements.

3.5.5 CALCULATE AREA

Use this function to compute instant information about a particular
area or part of your map. Click Calculate area button and draw a
selection. A pop up results window displays the information:
- Area – planimetric (2D) map of selected region,
- Perimeter – circumference of selected region.

3.5.6 DELETE
Select orthophoto maps in DOF list and delete them from application
by clicking delete button.

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GENERATING REPORT:
Use generate report wizard to get the final tasks and results report of
your project. Click Project - > Generate report.

Report wizard pops up. Enter a report name or use project name by
default. Click next to start creating it.

The next step is to select and capture a point cloud. Choose a view
type, select point cloud and click capture. Click next to proceed.

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Move on to the next step; select and capture a DSM. Again, you can
use a view type of your choice, select DSM and select model
presentation. Capture desired view and click next.

The final step of report generation is to select and capture a DOF.

Select your desired DOF and click Finish. Your final report is saved
and available in *.pdf and *.odf file formats.

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