Can I use Scanifly when there is snow?
Every shot matters when shooting in snow, since it is more difficult to work with due to the fact that it is typically bright and results in a photo that is too "blown out" or too bright to be useful in reconstruction.
Yes, you can!
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Scanifly works using a process call photogrammetry. What is Photogrammetry?
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Photogrammetry does a really good job with stationary objects that have some detail and are not reflective or transparent.
Tips for shooting in snow:
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Make sure photos are not too dark (not even increasing brightness gives you detail) or too bright (no matter how much you decrease brightness there is no detail)
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Scanifly can only model what the drone sees. If there is a lot of snow buildup you may not be able to get an accurate measurement of the roof below. (Things like ridge length and roof run measurements may still be quite accurate depending on level of snow buildup)
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Consider using a polarizing filter such as a CPL (Circular polarizing filter) to help minimize glare from the reflective snow surface.
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Take extra consideration in planning the flight and shots.
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Consider adjusting the "auto focus" or "auto exposure" function on the drone to focus on the brighter white part of the roof. This should lower the brightness of the image which will help model quality.
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Consider using the MANUAL mode to use a faster shutter speed / lower ISO in order to darken up a shot to ensure that it is not blown out and can be used for reconstruction in Scanifly.
Updated over 2 years ago