Grid Missions in 3D Mission Planner
FlytBase now supports Grid Missions in the 3D Mission Planner for DJI Dock 3, enabling area-based photogrammetry missions with Smart Oblique capture and Real-Time Terrain Follow.
This allows operators to plan and execute grid-based mapping missions directly in a 3D environment while maintaining consistent GSD and overlap requirements across uneven terrain. Mission routes are optimized automatically, with key route statistics available before execution.
Grid Missions with Smart Oblique are especially useful for large-area mapping workflows where flight efficiency, battery constraints, and terrain variation impact mission planning and execution.
Key Capabilities
Grid Missions in 3D Mission Planner
Grid Missions are now available as a mission type in the 3D Mission Planner, alongside existing mission types.
Operators can:
Draw a coverage area directly in the planner
Configure grid mission parameters
Preview the flight path and altitude profile in 3D before execution
During mission planning, the following route statistics are displayed:
Estimated flight time
Total flight distance
This provides better predictability and control before committing to mission execution.
Smart Oblique Capture
Smart Oblique optimizes grid mission routes while improving photogrammetry data quality.
When enabled, the aircraft captures:
Nadir images with the camera pitched straight down
Two additional oblique images at +30° and −30° gimbal angles during flight
The mission planner automatically recalculates and optimizes the route when Smart Oblique is enabled.
GSD settings remain unchanged
Front and side overlap requirements are preserved
Route density is reduced
This results in shorter flight paths and reduced mission duration while increasing the total number of captured images.
Enabling Smart Oblique Grid Missions
Open 3D Mission Planner
Select Grid Mission
Draw the coverage area on the map
Configure GSD, front overlap, and side overlap
Enable Smart Oblique
The flight route is recalculated automatically once Smart Oblique is enabled.
Real-Time Terrain Follow
Once enabled real-time Terrain Follow dynamically adjusts the aircraft’s altitude during flight based on onboard sensor data.
Maintains a more consistent height above ground level
Adapts to terrain elevation changes in real time
Does not rely on pre-loaded elevation or terrain files
This improves data consistency and flight safety when operating over uneven or sloped terrain.
Enabling Real-Time Terrain Follow
Open Grid Mission settings
Go to Waypoint Altitude Mode
Select Real-Time Terrain Follow
All terrain-following behavior is driven exclusively by the drone’s onboard sensors, responding to ground elevation changes in real time.
Altitude accuracy may vary by approximately ±10% based on terrain visibility and sensor conditions. Real-Time Terrain Follow does not rely on pre-loaded elevation data files and responds to actual terrain conditions during flight.
Hardware Compatibility
Supported hardware: DJI Dock 3 Supported aircraft: DJI Matrice 4D Series
Smart Oblique and Real-Time Terrain Follow are not compatible with thermal payloads.
For more information, please refer to the documentation on 3D Mission Planner.
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