Getting Started with Open Drone Map (ODM)

Drones are incredible machines, capable of creating amazingly useful mapping products. By using drone images, one can create detailed maps and models of the earth through a process called Photogrammetry. Essentially, you computer analyzes the same area in multiple images and calculates a 3D model. Because of photogrammetry’s usefulness, it is very expensive. However, there is a better way. A great way to get started with this is downloading and installing Open Drone Map, a free and open source software package available to everyone on the web. This course instructs you on how to:

1. Download and Install Open Drone Map, a free and open source photogrammetry software package

2. Load in photos that you took with your drone

3. Create data products such as Orthophotos, Orthomosaics, Digital Surface Models, Digital Terrain Models, 3D models

4. Take these data products and get them into GIS software for further analysis

Your Instructor has been making digital maps for over 30 years and teaching digital map making techniques at a University in Boston, MA for over 15 years. He has taught countless GIS labs using both ESRI products and, as of late, QGIS software. Around 5 years ago, the drones arrived and have allowed map makers to create high resolution background images of their study areas. As the digital mapping field matures into 3D visualization, drones as data collection machines continue to increase in usefulness.

This course is designed for folks who want to get started in Photogrammetry without having to pony up big bucks for the commercial software. With ODM, you can learn all you want for free. You may graduate up more complicated software at some point if your products start turning a real profit. You may find however that ODM fills all your needs and you’ll never have to pay those high costs.

The course comes with instructions on how to get to many sample data sets as well as written instructions for software installation. With this course you have everything you need to get up and running. Now is the time to level up your drone game!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!