This application will convert either a Google Earth Pro KML/KMZ file or a Litchi CSV file to a Litchi CSV file containing a facade mapping mission.
Camera direction with respect to the line.
Create a two-point line
If using Google Earth Pro:
Use Google Earth Pro to navigate to the mission area.
From the ribbon select the "Ruler" tool.
In the Ruler tool, select the "Line" tab (normally selected by default).
Click once on the map at the desired start point for the facade mission.
Move to (and click) at the desired end point of the facade mission.
NOTE: The drone/camera will always be oriented 90° to the left when traveling from point 1 to point 2. If it is desired that the drone/camera point in the opposite direction, enter the line endpoints in the reverse order as shown in the figure to the right.
In the Ruler tool click on "Save".
The New Path window will open. Click OK.
In the "Places" window pane (on the left), right-click on "Line Measure" and "Save Place As" a kmz (or kml) file.
Select the drone to be used. Each drone has a unique field of view (FOV) which is required for computing the distance between photos.
Select the maximum height of the mission.
Select the minimum height of the mission. This value will not be adjusted and will be the minimum height (above take-off) of the mission.
Select the distance between the facade mission and the facade. This value will be used in determining the number of columns and rows required for the chosen overlaps.
Select the desired horizontal overlap. The distance between columns of the facade mission will be computed based on this value, the distance to the facade and the drone's FOV.
Select the desired vertical overlap. The distance between rows of the facade mission will be computed based on this value, the distance to the facade and the drone's FOV.
Use the file chooser to upload your csv/kmz/kml file.
Select "Generate Facade Mission for Litchi".
In page two of Facade Mission Creator for Litchi:
Review (and understand) the parameters and calculations shown.
Download the csv file to your computer.
In the Litchi Mission Hub or Virtual Litchi Mission (VLM is recommended to preview the flight path):
Use the Missions menu to import the csv file created by this web application.
In "Settings"
Make sure that the "Heading Mode" is set to "Custom(WD)".
Make sure that the "Path Mode" is set to "Straight Lines".
Adjust Litchi mission parameters as desired (although no adjustments should be necessary).
Save the mission.
Preview the flight in Google Earth Pro using VLM (optional, but always recommended)
Fly the mission
Facade Litchi Mission
This web application is designed to generate a Litchi mission for capturing a
series of photos of a building's facade.
The application takes a single line segment as input. The endpoints of that
line define two key aspects of the facade mission:
The distance between the line endpoints determines the width of the facade mission.
The direction in which the line is drawn determines camera orientation of the facade mission. As the drone moves from point 1 to point 2, the camera is always aimed 90° to the left. To have the camera face the opposite direction, simply draw the line in reverse.
This line segment can be created using either Google Earth Pro or Litchi's Legacy Mission Hub.
After saving it as a KMZ, KML, or CSV file, upload it into this application.
Using the line endpoints and selected height settings, this application
generates a Litchi-compatible CSV mission file. This file includes evenly
spaced waypoints, each configured with a "Take Photo" action.
Facade missions always start at the bottom-left corner and proceed from left
to right and bottom to top. The legacy Facade Mission
Creator remains available for use as well.
