So you're looking to get volumetric data using your drone and Birdi?

Well, our technical team have got you covered! below outlines a few steps on how you can utilise Birdi & QGIS.

Below they have detailed the process to get the best result from our platform.

Capture

GCP: Ground Control Points (GCP) for achieving the most accurate results. Using GCPs, drone visualisation and subsequent cut/fill calculations can be significantly improved.

Flight Planning: We suggest utilising flight planning software to ensure efficient and effective mapping. Many drones come with built-in capabilities for flight planning, or you can explore services like Dronelink for this purpose.

RTK Drone: For optimal results, capturing the data using a drone equipped with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technology is advisable. RTK-enabled drones enhance the accuracy and precision of the captured data, which is crucial for precise cut/fill calculations.

Upload

Set up a new mission inside the Birdi Platform: This will serve as the framework for your mapping project.

Define an Objective for mapping: Clearly define the objective of your mapping project within the Birdi Platform. This step helps in organising and categorising your mapping data.

Upload mapping imagery to that objective: Once you have defined the objective, proceed to upload the mapping imagery associated with that objective.

Processing

Select the best processing options for your capture: Within the Birdi Platform, carefully select the options that align with your specific capture requirements. For example, consider the following:

DSM (Digital Surface Model): Generate a DSM to obtain a 3D representation of the earth's surface, including all above-ground features like buildings, vegetation, and other structures.
DTM (Digital Terrain Model): Create a DTM to obtain a 3D representation of the bare earth surface by removing above-ground features such as buildings and vegetation.
Orthographic: Generate an orthographic image, which provides a bird's-eye view of the mapped area with uniform scale and negligible perspective distortion.
Point Cloud: Obtain a dense point cloud representation of the mapped area, which allows for detailed analysis and measurements.

Complete payment processing and wait for the job to appear in your file.

Once you have selected the desired options, proceed with the payment processing. After completing the payment, the job will appear in your file within the Birdi Platform.

Visualisation & Export

Option 1: Export this into your regular job planning software for volumetric calculations: If you prefer to utilise your existing job planning software, you can export the processed data from the Birdi Platform and import it into your preferred software. This option offers seamless integration with your existing workflow.

Option 2: If you require specialised assistance with volumetric calculations or have specific requirements for your project, our dedicated volumetric team is available to provide personalised support. Contact our team to discuss your project needs and receive a quote tailored to your requirements.

By following these steps and utilising the features of the Birdi Platform, you can effectively prepare and conduct cut/fill calculations for your mapping projects, ensuring accurate and valuable results.

How to measure volumes in QGIS

To measure volume in QGIS, you would typically need a dataset that represents a 3D surface or terrain. This can be in the form of a digital elevation model (DEM) or a point cloud dataset. QGIS supports various data formats, including raster and point cloud formats.

Here are the general steps to perform volumetric measurements in QGIS:

Load your 3D surface or point cloud data into QGIS by using the appropriate data import or data source connection tools.
Ensure that your data is properly georeferenced and projected in a coordinate system that accurately represents your study area.
If you are working with a DEM, you can use QGIS tools to calculate the volume between two elevation thresholds. The most common method is to use the "Raster Calculator" or the "Raster Calculator" plugin to subtract one raster layer representing the lower threshold from another raster layer representing the upper threshold. The resulting raster will represent the volume between those elevations.
If you are working with a point cloud, you may need to convert it to a raster format (e.g., using interpolation techniques) before performing volume calculations similar to the method mentioned above.

It's important to note that performing volumetric calculations can be complex, and the specific steps may vary depending on your data and requirements. QGIS offers a wide range of plugins and tools that can assist you in various volumetric analysis tasks, so exploring the documentation and available resources specific to your use case can be helpful.

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