Drone 3D Modeling for Beginners - Low Cost Solutions

Learn to create your first Drone 3D Model without breaking the bank. Understand the basics of Drone 3D Models & Maps

4.40 (194 reviews)
Udemy
platform
English
language
Other
category
744
students
3 hours
content
Feb 2022
last update
$64.99
regular price

What you will learn

Students will have a basic understanding of creating 3D Models with drones

Students will learn about several 3D modeling image capture apps

Students will learn about 3D Model processing software such as Pix4D, Photoscan, Drone Deploy, and Maps Made Easy

Students will learn about all of the expenses that go along with 3D Drone Modeling

Description

This course covers the basics of creating interesting 3D Models / Maps with drones.  There is a lot of upfront investment if you're interested in drone 3D Modeling for a business, so before you dive in you should have the basics down.  In order to generate 3D Models with UAVs you need several things:

  1. A drone with a camera.  DJI Drones are used for this course, but you can create 3D models with many drones.

  2. A computer for offloading your captured images.  Windows and Mac systems are both viable.  For high end and large models you'll need a faster computer for model generation.

  3. Access to 3D Modeling rendering software.  Cloud based solutions and desktop solutions both exist.

  4. Lot's of patience.

This course covers "Photogrammetry."  The dictionary definition of this topic is, "The use of photography in surveying and mapping to measure distances between objects."  Today's Photogrammetry goes beyond just measuring distances and is not just used for surveying and mapping.  3D Modeling today with drones can provide realistic models of land, businesses, homes, accident scenes, and more.  Drone Photogrammetry is beginning to show up in multiple industries across the world.

This course does not cover the high end topics for modeling, and is instead an introduction to the basic topics.  In the class we will:

  • Look into several 3D Modeling image capture Apps for smart phones and tablets.

  • Talk about planning your model prior to heading to your selected location.

  • Demonstrate planning a mission with Map Pilot from Maps Made Easy.

  • Fly a 19.19 acre modeling mission with Map Pilot.

  • Process the 19.19 acre mission with Photoscan Standard (available on Windows and Mac OSX).

  • Share the created model via Sketchfab.

  • Creating a small 3D Model mission of a new home with Litchi (Android and iOS capture App) using only a short orbit of the home.

  • Process the mission with Drone Deploy, Maps Made Easy, and Photoscan Standard, and compare the outputs from the 3 platforms.

  • Share your small home model with Drone Deploy, Maps Made Easy, and Sketchfab (with data from Photoscan).

  • Discuss the differences between the model rendering software (Pix4D, Drone Deploy, Maps Made Easy, Photoscan).

  • Discuss the costs of generating your models before you sign up with a particular service, or purchase a stand alone desktop application.

  • Discuss a "free" option from Pix4D to test your models.

When students complete this class they'll have a basic understanding of how to plan for their Drone 3D Models, utilize 3D image capture applications for drones, process their 3D models with a variety of services and software, and share their final renders with the world.  This class will not teach students how to do high end commercial 3D Modeling, but will leave students with the building blocks to take their interest in 3D Modeling further.

Finally, a big intent for this course is to help drone pilots learn about 3D modeling with drones without breaking the bank.  As students investigate the costs of generating these models they'll learn about the hidden costs and obvious costs.  Higher end drones aren't cheap.  Cloud processing could cost you thousands of dollars per year.  Desktop photogrammetry software licensing can cost thousands of dollars per year.  And a properly built 3D modeling computer can run into thousands of dollars quickly.  This course identifies each of these financial barriers and allows students to begin learning about 3D modeling without a high investment.


Content

Introduction to Drone 3D Modeling for Beginners | Low cost learning options

Introduction to Drone 3D Modeling for Beginners
The basic Drone 3D Modeling process. Capture images, process images, share.

The software we'll need. Capture Apps and 3D Modeling Programs.

Capture Apps Part 1 - Reviewing a few of the well known 3D Image capture apps.
Capture Apps Part 2 - The basics of what these Apps actually do for us.
3D Modeling Software - This is where it can get expensive fast!

Planning and flying a 3D mission with Map Pilot from Maps Made Easy

Map Pilot Mission Planning. Plan missions from the comfort of your couch!
The Map Pilot Flight and image capture - The mission changes due to light!

Creating 3D Models from our flights - How did our Map Pilot Mission work out?

Photoscan Model Build - 19.19 acre model generated with Map Pilot and Mavic2 Pro
Reviewing the final Lake Shore Model with Photoscan - Photoscan Basics
Another small model build using Photoscan, Drone Deploy, and Maps Made Easy.
Sharing a Photoscan Model Online - Exporting the house model for Sketchfab

A free Drone 3D Model processing service? Pix4D Discovery? Let's take a look.

Pix4D Discovery - What is this all about, and how can you get it?
Creating a model with Pix4D Discovery and a Litchi Orbit Mission

Conclusions - Start making 3D Models with your drone for a small investment.

Low Cost Drone 3D Modeling & Mapping Options - Learn to model on the cheap!

Screenshots

Drone 3D Modeling for Beginners - Low Cost Solutions - Screenshot_01Drone 3D Modeling for Beginners - Low Cost Solutions - Screenshot_02Drone 3D Modeling for Beginners - Low Cost Solutions - Screenshot_03Drone 3D Modeling for Beginners - Low Cost Solutions - Screenshot_04

Reviews

La'Tonia
October 7, 2023
Hello - straightforward, brief while thorough. Felt like an infomercial in a few spots but that was more so enthusiasm for great software options and I appreciated that content being included. Thank you.
Thomas
July 20, 2023
As a beginner, I thought the course was very good, with just the right amount of info on the major players in the data acquisition, processing, and sharing space. Pulled much of the information together with some great advice and examples. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get involved and/or try drone 3D modeling at a reasonable price.
Mark
May 22, 2023
Better than just an overview, this course is giving enough info to make a strong start so far. Just finished the Map Pilot capture section and that program displayed a motion blur reading. Discussing the effect of the non-mechanical shutter in his drone and the interplay between flight speed and shutter speed is an example of additional detail that would bring this to 5 stars. Also, Richard does a great job of going through the various programs for capture and processing. Adding a resource that lists those would be a good add to get to 5 stars. Especially if he gave some review of each (if he tried them all). I haven't gotten to the WebODM section yet but wonder why this wasn't included in the discussion as he homed in on Photoscan as a good starter package. WebODM does the things that seem to be missing from the Standard edition of Photoscan (now Metashape). These are small complaints in the totality of the course though as Richard does a good job of providing a strong knowledge foundation for getting into 3D terrain modelling at low cost; a strong 4 stars.
David
February 10, 2023
This course provides a good, general overview of getting started with drone mapping. It won't take you to professional level, but it doesn't claim to. It gives a very nice overview of the options available and how to experiment with them for a fairly low cost. I would like to see a few more updates for 2023+, but it's still a great overview of this rapidly growing field.
Gary
December 15, 2022
Rich presents this in an interesting, succinct, and very objective way. When I started this course I knew nothing about 3D modeling. Now, as I ponder opening my drone business next year, I am excited about learning more so I can offer this as an option. Rich is one of the best instructors I've experienced on Udemy. Thanks much.
Reid
June 9, 2022
This was an excellent intro course to some of the low-cost ways to do 2D and 3D mapping with images from your drone. Richard keeps the concepts simple and presents a wealth of information that I am looking forward to trying out. My Macbook Pro is already trying to lift off from my desk as I put the trial version of Metashape through its paces. Looking forward to enrolling in more of his classes and any future content he presents here on Udemy.
Valentin
March 14, 2022
good start, but could have actually been a little more in depth in some parts, while other parts were repeated several times.
Roger
March 9, 2022
Great job introducing low-cost options for entering into drone mapping! The instructor was clear and concise.
Paul
November 15, 2021
As I have just bought a Mavic 2 Pro this information is invaluable to me to get into mapping at as a beginner. First class course 5 *
Utku
May 5, 2021
I want to jump into a new business area, I am very interested in UAV systems. I would like to see what is behind and far more.
Kevin
November 22, 2020
Introduction lays out what will be covered in the course. Presenter talks about the advantages and limitations. Sounds well organized and well thought out.
Berry
June 17, 2020
After the first video - I have enjoyed the first part so far. Looking forward to getting into the meat and potatoes of making 3d models. After the 6th video - Great information to get me started down the right path. This is what I was hoping to get out of this training. Rich, you did a great job thank you.
Walter
May 17, 2020
Thanks for a great course! You answered all my questions I didn't find an answer for on YouTube! Guess I found a new hobby.
Fawaaz
March 28, 2020
Good beginner's course, it would be helpful to give quick definitions on options/settings that are being used.
Lucien
December 23, 2018
I'm new to drone flight and many applications available. I purchased my first drone this year, and I'm still learning all of the basics. After seeing several videos online about making 3D models I wanted to learn more. Most of the drone 3D applications are expensive, and you've offered a few solutions for that. I found this class through your YouTube channel and your Ground Station Pro tutorial. I'd like to see more of that in this course if possible. Additional images for making models in this course would be appreciated. Also I'd like to see a list that I can download of the current 3D apps and 3D processing software with prices for a quick reference sheet if possible.

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2024664
udemy ID
11/13/2018
course created date
11/23/2019
course indexed date
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