Dumb question maybe but I'm struggling with coordinate systems. My client wants deliverables in State Plane (NAD83 California Zone 5) but I'm not sure I'm setting up DroneDeploy correctly.
Right now I'm flying, processing, then exporting and transforming in Civil3D. There has to be a better way. How are you guys handling this?
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Sign inYou can set the coordinate system directly in DroneDeploy before processing. Go to Map Settings > Coordinate System and search for your EPSG code. California Zone 5 is EPSG:2229 (feet) or 26945 (meters).
If you set it before processing, everything comes out in that system. No need to transform in Civil3D.
Also make sure your GCPs are in the same system or it'll be a mess.
To add to Craig's answer - if you're using RTK/PPK, your corrections are coming in as WGS84. DroneDeploy handles the transformation during processing as long as you specify the output system.
The gotcha is vertical datum. Make sure you're clear on whether client wants ellipsoid heights or orthometric (NAVD88). That setting is separate from the horizontal system.
DroneDeploy's datum harmonization is actually pretty slick now. You can upload GCPs in one system, fly RTK in another, and specify output in a third. The software handles the math.
I literally have projects where GCPs are in a local assumed system, drone positions are WGS84, and output is State Plane. Works fine.
@AerialAmy One more tip - save your coordinate system settings as a template if you're doing multiple projects in the same area. Project Settings > Save as Template. Then just apply it to new projects.
Oh wow I didn't realize I could set it before processing. I've been exporting in WGS84 and transforming every single time. This is going to save so much time. Thanks!