Centralizing project documentation: What data can you store and share in Propeller?

The heart of Propeller: 3D mapping data

Creating accurate and measurable 3D maps based on drone-collected data is at the core of the Propeller Platform. These maps are comprised of:

• Orthophotos: High-resolution aerial images stitched together to provide a detailed view of your worksite.
• Digital Elevation Model (DEM): Topographical information that represents the surface of the earth.

While orthophotos provide the high-resolution images that make your 3D maps look just like your actual worksite, the Digital Elevation Model is built from another layer of data in Propeller: point clouds.

When a drone captures hundreds or thousands of overlapping aerial photos, those images are processed and analyzed using the science of photogrammetry to measure the geography and landscape features of the site. By matching features that appear in multiple images, we can relate images to each other and reconstruct the objects captured in them.

To learn more about the science of photogrammetry, check out this post.

We then use the data from millions of these visual features to create a point cloud—a three-dimensional set of points where each point represents a matched feature. By themselves, point clouds look like just that—3D cloud-like shapes made of millions of tiny points in space.

Combined with an orthophoto, point clouds form the infrastructure that turns photorealistic images into a digital recreation of your worksite. 

TL;DR: Orthophotos, point clouds, and terrain models combine to generate survey-grade 3D models. With the right platform, they make highly accurate volume, distance, and location measurements possible, giving you the tools to measure and manage your site’s progress over time.

What are the benefits of 3D mapping?

Worksites worldwide now use three-dimensional, geospatially accurate models as a single source of truth. An up-to-date 3D model is a point of reference the entire team can understand, with measurable detail on material movement, volume calculations, and overall project progress.

By looking at the same set of facts presented consistently, teams are better aligned and able to make informed decisions about what to do next. With less room for interpretation, teams can also speak the same language about what’s happening on-site.

Upload photos and 360-degree media

So far, we’ve covered data types involved in the science of photogrammetry. But what about photos that aren’t captured by a drone?

Today’s worksites collect thousands of photos on smartphones, tablets, and other devices to help clarify meaning, record progress, and keep field and office teams on the same page. But without location data, it can be difficult—or even impossible—to tell where these photos were taken, and teams can’t easily react or respond to them in real time.

That’s why Propeller supports uploading images captured on-site. Each is geotagged to a precise location on the map, allowing you to tag other users for real-time communication.

One map, one team

Propeller provides a centralized platform for storing and sharing a wide range of project data all in one place. From 3D mapping to media and exportable outputs, we empower construction professionals to map, measure, and manage their projects more efficiently and effectively.

Learn how Propeller can power your worksite and boost productivity. Request a demo.