To use the photogrammetry service, you first need to take photos of the roof or building with a drone. We've written a guide for this.

You can also use our demo photos. Just download them and unzip the ZIP file.

How do I use the photogrammetry service?

Open a PV planning or create a new design.
Select Plan on a 3D Model > Photogrammetry Service.
Select the drone photos and click Start planning. Upload at least 20 photos of the building. You get the best results with 50 to 300 photos, depending on the size of the building. The photos are then compressed and uploaded.
Your 3D model is now being created and is ready in about 15 minutes. You can keep using autarc while the model is being created. From the loading screen you can Open project or switch to another design.
As soon as the model is ready, you can start the PV planning as usual.

Frequently asked questions

What is photogrammetry and how does autarc use it?

Photogrammetry is a digital surveying method that creates a three-dimensional model of an object from several photos. For buildings, it accurately captures the dimensions, shape, area and structure of a roof or facade. The GPS coordinates and image information of every photo are used to build the model.

autarc uses this technology to create a digital 3D model from a few drone photos, fully integrated into PV planning. This improves accuracy and saves time on site.

Where do I find the photogrammetry service?

In a new design or project: When you open a new project or create a new design, you're asked which planning basis you want to use. Select Plan on a 3D Model > Photogrammetry Service and upload your drone photos in the next step.

In an existing design or project: Open an existing design or PV planning. Under Settings > Planning background, select Photogrammetry.

How much does the photogrammetry service cost?

All our plans include a certain number of 3D models.

Core, Pro and additional projects: plans with a limited number of PV projects include one 3D model per project.
Premium and All-In-One: plans with an unlimited number of PV projects include up to 20 3D models per month.

For additional 3D models, please contact our customer support.

Which drones are supported?

The accuracy of the 3D model and its dimensions depends on the drone. You need at least a drone with 12 megapixels and GPS. For detached houses we recommend the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

Drone model	Camera resolution	App	Flight mode	Certification	Small buildings (0–300 m²)	Medium buildings (300–1,500 m²)	Large buildings (1,500–5,000 m²)	Very large buildings (5,000–150,000 m²)
DJI Mini 1**	12 MP	DJI Go	Manual flight	C0	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Mini 2**	12 MP	DJI Go	Manual flight	C0	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Mini 3	12 MP	DJI Fly	Manual flight	C0	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Mini 3 Pro	12 MP	DJI Fly	Hyperlapse	C0	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Mini 4K	12 MP	DJI Fly	Manual flight	C0	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Mini 4 Pro	12 MP*	DJI Fly	Hyperlapse	C0	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Flip	12 MP*	DJI Fly	Hyperlapse	C0	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Air 1**	12 MP	DJI Go	Hyperlapse	–	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Air 2**	12 MP	DJI Go	Hyperlapse	–	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Air 2S**	20 MP	DJI Go	Hyperlapse	C1	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Air 3	12 / 48 MP	DJI Fly	Point of Interest	C1	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Air 3S	12 / 50 MP*	DJI Fly	Point of Interest	C1	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Mavic 1 Pro**	12 MP	DJI Go 4	Point of Interest	–	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Mavic 2 Pro**	20 MP	DJI Go 4	Point of Interest	–	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Mavic 3 Classic	20 MP	DJI Fly	Hyperlapse	C1	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Mavic 3 Pro	20 MP	DJI Fly	Hyperlapse	C2	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Mavic 3E	20 MP	DJI Pilot 2	Waypoints	C2	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Mavic 3T	12 MP*	DJI Pilot 2	Waypoints	C2	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Mavic 3E + RTK	24 MP	DJI Pilot 2	Waypoints	C2	✔	✔	✔	✔
DJI Mavic 3T + RTK	12 MP*	DJI Pilot 2	Waypoints	C2	✔	✔	✔	✔
DJI Matrice 4E	24 MP	DJI Pilot 2	Waypoints	C2	✔	✔	✔	✔
DJI Matrice 4T	24 MP	DJI Pilot 2	Waypoints	C2	✔	✔	✔	✔
DJI Phantom 4**	12 MP	DJI Go 4	Point of Interest	–	✔	✖	✖	✖
DJI Phantom 4 Pro**	20 MP	DJI Go 4 / Pix4D	Point of Interest	–	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2**	20 MP	DJI Go 4 / Pix4D	Point of Interest	–	✔	✔	✖	✖
DJI Phantom 4 RTK**	20 MP	DJI Pilot	Waypoints	–	✔	✔	✔	✔

* 12-megapixel sensor, 48 megapixels only through post-processing
** no longer manufactured

How accurate is the 3D survey?

The dimensions in the 3D model are based on the GPS data of the photos. Standard drones such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro use GPS, which achieves a measurement accuracy of about 10 cm. For more accurate surveys you need, for example, RTK drones or additional measuring points.

Measurement accuracy	Measurement resolution	UAS system	Measurement support
10 cm	5 cm	Photogrammetric with GPS position per photo	—
5 cm	2.5 cm	Photogrammetric with GPS position per photo	Length reference on the ground
2.5 cm	1.2 cm	Photogrammetric with GPS position per photo	Length reference on the ground, at least 3 measuring points with known distances
1.25 cm	0.6 cm	Photogrammetric with RTK UAS	—
1 cm	0.5 cm	Photogrammetric with RTK UAS	—

Photogrammetry service: 3D building survey from drone photos