Some of the new features of Drone2Map 2023.2 are described below.
Redesigned inspection workflow
The inspection template in Drone2Map has been replaced with a redesigned workflow and expanded inspection toolset.
This new inspection workflow allows you to create an inspection workspace for any project regardless of data type. This means for the first time in Drone2Map, inspections can be done in 3D. Through the incorporation of depth maps, inspection features can be overlaid on 3D objects and referenced between multiple images.
Inspection schemas also use domain fields to help categorize inspection feature attributes. This can be helpful if you want to monitor the condition of large collections of assets and have many attributes to consider.
Inspection reports can be generated and will display each inspection feature with any snapshots that were saved during the inspection process. Snapshots can also be attached to inspection features so that they appear in pop-ups when sharing inspection layers online.
Catalog datasets
Catalog datasets are a new method of cataloging and referencing the products you create in Drone2Map. A catalog dataset is a container stored in a file geodatabase that allows you to add Drone2Map products into it from multiple Drone2Map projects using the Catalog Dataset pane. This means that you can view products generated from multiple projects in one location and display them in other projects.
Catalog datasets can be configured using three methods: local, local shared, and web.
A local catalog is a catalog that is created and stored on a single file system.
A local shared catalog is also stored on a single file system but uses a UNC path to allow multiple users on the same network to access, use, and modify the catalog dataset.
A web catalog is a catalog dataset that is created locally, but it references layers stored in ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise. Existing shared layers can be added to a web catalog from the Catalog Dataset pane.
Catalogs are managed in the Catalog Dataset pane in Drone2Map. This allows you to add layers from your current project or manage existing layers that are stored in the active catalog dataset. Layers can also be filtered in various ways to help find the layer you need.
Rolling Shutter Correction
A new rolling shutter correction setting has been added to the adjust options for drones using rolling shutters. This setting will reduce distortions and inaccuracies caused by the rolling shutter effect, resulting in more accurate and visually appealing products.
Redesigned new project page
The new project page has been redesigned to streamline project creation and put more focus on the type of products you can create. Projects are now created by defining the processing template you want to use, then choosing a product type if the sensor supports more than one.
For example, if you have a multispectral sensor, it may be capable of multispectral, thermal, panchromatic, or pansharpened products. Assuming you need to process multispectral data, you load the images into the project window, and Drone2Map automatically determines the capabilities of the drone.
You are then prompted with the Choose Product Type window. Choosing the multispectral option configures the Drone2Map project for multispectral processing settings.
Resources page
A new addition to Drone2Map, the Resources page provides a knowledge hub for learning how to use Drone2Map and staying up to date on product information. Tutorials and blogs are showcased on the Resources page along with links to Esri technical support, documentation, and the Drone2Map user community.
Enhanced thermal imagery support
True ortho support has been extended to thermal imagery processing. The default for thermal imagery orthomosaics is now a true nadir viewpoint.
Additionally, thermal imagery processing support is no longer depended on specific camera models and instead is determined based off input imagery metadata. If the input thermal images contain FLIR metadata fields then Drone2Map will immediately recognize the camera as having thermal capabilities and offer the ability to process thermal True Ortho products.
Transformations
Coordinate system transformations can now be defined so that products can be output to a specific coordinate system regardless of the coordinate system the input imagery was captured in.
Ground classification
New ground classification options have been added when creating a digital terrain model product. These tools now allow for greater control of noise and refinement of the ground surface.
Productivity improvements
Multiple folders of imagery can now be imported at the same time when creating a project. This decreases the time it takes to set up projects when you have many image folders.
