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Easy Drone Image Processing to TIFF: Agisoft Metashape Tutorial for Beginners

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Processing Drone Images to TIFF in Agisoft Metashape

Information: This tutorial guides you through processing drone images and exporting them as TIFF using Agisoft Metashape.

1. Introduction

This tutorial aims to transform drone-captured imagery into high-quality TIFF files using Agisoft Metashape, a powerful photogrammetry tool. You’ll learn each step, from importing images to exporting georeferenced orthomosaics.

Why Use Agisoft Metashape?
Agisoft Metashape offers professional tools for photogrammetry, making it ideal for creating 3D models, DEMs, and orthomosaics from drone images.
What is a TIFF file?
TIFF is a widely accepted raster format that supports georeferenced data, making it ideal for mapping and GIS applications.
What are the prerequisites?
You'll need Agisoft Metashape Professional, a drone with a high-quality camera, and a computer that meets Metashape’s hardware requirements.

2. Preparing for Processing

Ensure you have the right hardware and software, and set up your drone for capturing high-quality images. Here are some key steps to prepare:

  • Use a multi-core CPU and a minimum of 32GB RAM for smooth processing.
  • Capture images with 70% overlap in good lighting conditions.
  • Install Agisoft Metashape and ensure your license is activated.

3. Importing Drone Images into Agisoft Metashape

Follow these steps to import drone images:

  1. Create a New Project: Open Agisoft Metashape and create a new project.
  2. Import Photos: Drag and drop the drone images or use the "Add Photos" option under the Workflow tab.
  3. Verify Quality: Use the image quality tool to ensure that all imported images meet the necessary standards.
Warning: If your images have a quality score below 0.5, consider excluding them to avoid alignment issues.

4. Aligning Photos

Next, align your photos to build the sparse point cloud:

  • Go to Workflow > Align Photos.
  • Set the accuracy to High and enable Generic Preselection for faster alignment.
  • Set the key point limit to 40,000 and tie point limit to 4,000.
  • Click OK to start the alignment.
What if photo alignment fails?
Double-check the image overlap and quality. You might need to remove low-quality images or adjust the tie point limit.
Why is alignment important?
Proper alignment is crucial as it lays the foundation for building the 3D model and ensures the accuracy of the final orthomosaic.

5. Building a Dense Point Cloud

The dense point cloud represents a detailed version of the 3D model:

  1. Go to Workflow > Build Dense Cloud.
  2. Set the quality to High for detailed models, or use Ultra High for even finer details.
  3. Set the depth filtering to Mild to reduce noise while retaining details.

10. Exporting the Project as a TIFF File

Once the orthomosaic is generated, follow these steps to export it as a TIFF file:

  • Go to File > Export Orthomosaic > Export TIFF.
  • Choose the correct coordinate system (e.g., WGS 84) and pixel resolution.
  • Click OK to export the georeferenced TIFF file.
What resolution should I use?
The resolution depends on your project’s requirements. Higher resolution files offer more detail but require more storage.
Why use TIFF format?
TIFF is widely compatible with most GIS and mapping tools, making it the preferred format for exporting orthomosaics.

11. Final Review and Tips

Tip: Always review the alignment and dense cloud quality before moving forward. It will save you time and ensure accurate results.

By following these steps, you'll be able to process drone images efficiently and export high-quality, georeferenced TIFF files for further analysis or mapping projects.