Trimble Business Center

Good morning. 

We acquired TBC photogrammetry module, to work in conjunction with Mavic 3E RTK and GNSS ground station. To survey power line corridors, NOT towers but utility poles. I´m having an issue where TBC is not showing the poles in the orthomosaic; thus, is very hard for the guys in the design process to find the poles. They have to go through the drone raw photos to find similitarities, pole shadow or objects next to those poles to then be able to draw in Civil. I have understanding that this usually happens with photogrammetry software. If the poles, are old, mossy and black they completely dissappear, newer utility poles tend to show, but just the upper tip and not the cross pieces. I know this might improve with lower altitudes and higher GSD. But the software still in most cases erases the poles. I tried doing the same with Agisoft metashape and the results were much better. Most if not all power structures were in place. Same with the point cloud generation. I consistently fly my drone in a S shaped mapping course between 60 and 80 meters depending of the terrain and obstacles, at a speed of 6m/s with a GSD of no more than 2.15.       

Am I missing or not doing something in the software?  I´m attaching pictures for reference

Francisco, have you tried an oblique flight? With the camera's angle on the oblique flights, this should help with the visibility, correct?

Original Message:
Sent: 09-23-2024 06:52
From: Francisco Mendez Prieto
Subject: TBC Erasing or not showing utility poles/power lines

Good morning. 

 

We acquired TBC photogrammetry module, to work in conjunction with Mavic 3E RTK and GNSS ground station. To survey power line corridors, NOT towers but utility poles. I´m having an issue where TBC is not showing the poles in the orthomosaic; thus, is very hard for the guys in the design process to find the poles. They have to go through the drone raw photos to find similitarities, pole shadow or objects next to those poles to then be able to draw in Civil. I have understanding that this usually happens with photogrammetry software. If the poles, are old, mossy and black they completely dissappear, newer utility poles tend to show, but just the upper tip and not the cross pieces. I know this might improve with lower altitudes and higher GSD. But the software still in most cases erases the poles. I tried doing the same with Agisoft metashape and the results were much better. Most if not all power structures were in place. Same with the point cloud generation. I consistently fly my drone in a S shaped mapping course between 60 and 80 meters depending of the terrain and obstacles, at a speed of 6m/s with a GSD of no more than 2.15.       

Am I missing or not doing something in the software?  I´m attaching pictures for reference

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Francisco Mendez Prieto
INGESER
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