Functionalities / How-to
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      Types of mission / Which type of mission to choose - PIX4Dcapture

      Pix4Dcapture offers the possibility to fly four different kind of autopilot missions and one manual but semi-automatic mission.

      To get the best results out of the image acquisition plan, the type of mission and the drone have to be chosen depending on the terrain/objects that need to be reconstructed. For more information:
      - Step 1. Before Starting a Project > 1. Designing the Image Acquisition Plan > a. Selecting the Image Acquisition Plan Type.
      - Supported drones and cameras.

      Important notes: Depending on the drone used, some type of missions are not available. In this case, the mission type will not be displayed on the home screen in the application.
      Type of mission
      Description

      home_screen_grid.png Grid

      grid_image.PNG

      Plan and fly a nadir rectangle mission.

      Suitable for most environments. It ensures that images are taken with the overlap required for optimal processing.

      Recommended in the following cases:

      • Main interest in 2D map outputs (DSM, orthomosaic, etc.).
      • Relatively flat surface (e.g. fields, earthworks).
      • Large area.

      home_sreen_double.png Double Grid

      double_grid_image.PNG

      Plan and fly a two consecutive nadir rectangle missions.

      It ensures that images are taken from multiple sides, with the overlap required for optimal processing. Compared to the simple grid, this mission is recommended for flying closer to objects in order to capture more vertical details.

      Recommended in the following cases:

      • Main interest in 3D model outputs (point cloud, mesh, etc.).
      • Surface with height fluctuations or objects (e.g. buildings, forest).
      • Small and medium area as the flight time is doubled.

      home_screen_polygon.png Polygon

      polygon_image.PNG

      Plan and fly a nadir polygonal mission.

      Suitable for most environments that require flexible boundaries for flying or with a complex mapping shape. It ensures that images are taken with the overlap required for optimal processing.

      Recommended in the following cases:

      • Main interest in 2D map outputs (DSM, orthomosaic, etc.).
      • Relatively flat surface (e.g. fields, earthworks).
      • Large area.
      • Complex shape and constraints in the flight boundaries.

      home_screen_circular.png Circular

      circular_image.PNG

      Plan and fly an ellipsoid mission around objects.

      It ensures that the images are taken from all angles around a target point, with the overlap required for optimal processing. For high objects, flying several circular missions at different altitude is suggested.

      Recommended in the following cases:

      • Main interest in 3D model outputs (point cloud, mesh, etc.).
      • Isolated object (e.g. tower, pylon, building).
      • Small area.

      home_screen_free.png Free Flight

      free_flight_image.PNG

      Plan and fly a free flight mission (advanced users).

      Suitable to map more difficult objects that require more flexibility. The camera shutter is automatically triggered according to a horizontal and vertical distance interval. It requires to manually pilot the drone.

      Recommended in the following cases:

      • Main interest in 3D model outputs (point cloud, mesh, etc.).
      • Small area.
      • Complex or vertical structures (e.g. building facade, cliff, bridge, etc.

      For more information on how to prepare a free flight mission: How to prepare and start a free flight mission.
      For information about the image acquisition plan: Step 1. Before Starting a Project > 1. Designing the Image Acquisition Plan > a. Selecting the Image Acquisition Plan Type.