Photogrammetry · BC & Alberta
Centimetre-accurate orthomosaics, 3D mesh models, and digital elevation models — captured by the DJI Matrice 350 RTK. Visual intelligence that engineers, planners, and project managers can act on immediately.
01 / What It Is
Photogrammetry is the science of extracting measurements and 3D models from overlapping photographs. When a drone captures hundreds or thousands of precisely geotagged images across a site, specialized software analyzes pixel-level matches between overlapping frames to reconstruct the scene in three dimensions — producing georeferenced orthomosaics, point clouds, digital elevation models, and textured 3D meshes.
Unlike traditional aerial photography, photogrammetric capture provides measurable, scaled outputs rather than just visual images. Every pixel in an orthomosaic carries real-world coordinates, meaning distances, areas, and volumes can be calculated directly from the data — without needing a field crew back on site.
With the DJI Matrice 350 RTK's on-board RTK GNSS positioning, each image is geotagged with centimetre-level positional accuracy, dramatically reducing or eliminating the ground control points required by older photogrammetry workflows. The result is high-confidence geospatial data delivered faster and at lower overall project cost.
Geometrically corrected aerial imagery stitched into a single seamless, georeferenced raster — accurate to centimetre resolution.
Photorealistic textured mesh models for visual reporting, client presentations, clash detection, and as-built documentation.
DSMs and DTMs derived from dense point clouds — ready for cut/fill analysis, drainage modelling, and contour generation.
On-board RTK positioning delivers centimetre-level image geotags — reducing or eliminating GCP dependencies for most projects.
02 / Choosing the Right Method
Both methods produce accurate 3D data. The right choice depends on your terrain, vegetation cover, budget, and intended deliverable. IAS operates both systems — we'll recommend the best fit at project scoping.
| Factor | Photogrammetry | LiDAR (Zenmuse L2) |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetation / Canopy | Cannot see beneath canopy | Penetrates canopy — bare-earth DTM |
| Open Terrain Accuracy | ±2–3 cm with RTK | ±2 cm |
| Visual Output | Photorealistic orthomosaic & 3D mesh | Colorized point cloud only |
| Coverage Rate | Faster for large open areas | Slightly lower coverage rate |
| Cost | Lower per-hectare cost | Higher — specialized hardware |
| Best For | Open sites, progress monitoring, visual reporting | Forested terrain, volumes, engineering-ready DEMs |
Need the canopy-penetrating option? See our LiDAR scanning service.
03 / How It Works
A photogrammetry mission is more than pointing a camera down and flying. Every step — from GSD planning to final QA — affects whether your data is usable or not.
We calculate the required ground sample distance (GSD) for your accuracy needs, plan flight altitude and image overlap (typically 80% front / 70% side), and review airspace requirements. For complex terrain, we design terrain-following missions to maintain consistent GSD across elevation changes.
For projects requiring independent accuracy verification, we place coded ground control points (GCPs) and measure them with a GNSS receiver. With RTK on the Matrice 350, GCPs can often be reduced to checkpoints rather than full control — saving time and mobilization cost without sacrificing accuracy documentation.
The Matrice 350 RTK executes the planned mission, capturing overlapping nadir and oblique imagery with precise RTK geotags. Automated flight paths ensure complete, consistent coverage across the project area. Multiple batteries extend coverage on large sites without landing and relaunching from scratch.
Imagery is processed using structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry software. Feature matching across overlapping frames reconstructs the 3D scene geometry, producing a dense point cloud, digital surface model, and textured orthomosaic. Processing is performed with full quality settings to maximize accuracy and detail.
Final products are exported in client-specified formats, verified against ground control, and packaged with a project accuracy report. We document achieved RMSE, flight metadata, and processing parameters so you have a complete audit trail for your project records.
04 / Applications
Drone photogrammetry is the workhorse of aerial data collection — fast, flexible, and applicable across virtually every industry that needs accurate site documentation.
Construction
Weekly or monthly site photography produces timestamped orthomosaics and 3D models that document construction progress for owners, lenders, and insurers. Compare planned vs. actual earthworks, track material placement, and document site conditions at every milestone.
Land Development
Generate precise base maps for civil engineering design before any crews break ground. Accurate terrain models, existing feature mapping, and as-built grade conditions — the foundational data your engineers need for grading plans, drainage design, and servicing layouts.
Aggregates & Mining
Replace manual tape-and-staff stockpile checks with accurate drone-derived volume calculations. Produce repeatable measurements for inventory tracking, royalty reporting, and production reconciliation — documented with a clear methodology and accuracy statement.
Agriculture
Produce high-resolution orthomosaics and elevation models for irrigation design, drain tile planning, and field variability analysis across BC and Alberta farmland. Capture seasonal changes with repeat flights using consistent flight parameters.
Real Estate & Development
Photorealistic 3D models and georeferenced orthomosaics support rezoning applications, development permit packages, and marketing materials. Give planners and approving authorities a clear picture of site context, scale, and design intent.
Environmental
Document site conditions before and after reclamation activities. Produce quantified coverage maps, volume change analysis, and photo-documented evidence for regulatory submissions and environmental compliance records.
05 / What You Receive
All products are geospatially referenced and packaged with a full accuracy report. Coordinate systems and file formats are confirmed at scoping to match your CAD or GIS environment.
06 / The Hardware
IAS uses the DJI Matrice 350 RTK platform — a professional geospatial platform purpose-built for accurate data collection. This is not a consumer quadcopter adapted for mapping.
07 / FAQ
With RTK positioning and a 20MP calibrated camera at 100 m AGL, we achieve approximately 2–3 cm horizontal accuracy and 3–5 cm vertical accuracy in well-controlled conditions. This is sufficient for earthworks monitoring, volume calculations, progress documentation, and engineering design input. Traditional ground measurement achieves higher precision for individual points (sub-centimetre), but covers far fewer measurements per hour. The two methods serve different purposes — drone photogrammetry provides comprehensive coverage of the full site as data products for decision support; ground crews provide precise measurements at specific locations.
With the Matrice 350 RTK, GCPs are often not required to achieve centimetre-level accuracy — RTK geotags each image with ±2 cm positional confidence. For most construction, monitoring, and mapping projects, we use a small number of independent checkpoints to verify accuracy rather than a full GCP network. For projects requiring the highest documented accuracy, a GCP network provides additional verification. We discuss GCP strategy at project scoping and recommend what's appropriate for your use case.
Turnaround depends on project size and complexity. For a typical 10–50 hectare construction site, we target 48–72 hours from flight completion to final deliverable delivery. Larger sites or projects requiring complex classification or analysis may take 3–5 business days. Rush turnaround is available for active construction deadlines — discuss timing at project scoping and we'll confirm what's achievable for your schedule.
We process photogrammetry data using industry-standard SfM software at full quality settings. Point clouds are delivered in LAS 1.4 or LAZ format. Rasters are GeoTIFF. Vector outputs are DXF, SHP, or GeoPackage. 3D meshes are OBJ or FBX. If your workflow requires a specific format not listed, let us know — we support most common geospatial and CAD export formats.
The Matrice 350 RTK is rated for operation down to -20°C. We fly through BC and Alberta winters with appropriate battery temperature management and equipment protocols. Snow cover does affect photogrammetry accuracy (reflective, featureless surfaces reduce point matching quality) and may require a post-snowmelt remobilization for critical accuracy requirements. For monitoring programmes requiring winter capture, we discuss seasonal accuracy expectations at programme setup.
Ready When You Are
Tell us your project scope, accuracy requirements, and timeline. We'll respond within one business day with a detailed quote — or call ARIA right now for immediate project support.
Serving BC and Alberta · Based in Abbotsford · Transport Canada Advanced RPAS Certified
