Litchi Waypoint Mission to Mavic 3 Waypoint Mission Instructions

Instructions

This web application can be used to convert a Litchi mission CSV file into an Air 3 or Mavic 3 (all models) waypoint KMZ file. The instructions below were created after reading how others have uploaded missions to DJI Fly for their Mavic 3. If you see any details that are not correct or incomplete, please let me know so that I can refine these instructions.

  1. Create a mission using Litchi's Mission Hub
    1. A mission can be created like any other Litchi mission then exported as a CSV file.
    2. Note that some parameters (Mission speed, Path mode, Finish action, et.) are not stored in the CSV file. As a result, they must be manually set here or in the DJI Fly app.
  2. In page one of the Litchi to Mavic 3 Mission page:
    1. Set the desired "Signal Lost Action" to either continue the mission or to execute the normal "Signal Lost" action.
    2. Set the mission flight speed in meters per second.
    3. Use the file chooser to upload your Litchi CSV file.
    4. Generate the mission and review the resulting parameters.
  3. In page two of Litchi to Mavic 3 Mission:
    1. Review the displayed parameters and calculations.
    2. Download the KMZ file to your computer.
  4. Upload this new mission KMZ file to DJI Fly: (More details: Waypoints how to Back-Up Export & Import)
    1. Connect your flying device (iPhone, iPad, controller) to your computer via a USB cable, WiFi, or Bluetooth.
      • Note: Existing waypoint KMZ files are stored in:
        • Files/DJI Fly/wayline_mission (IOS)
        • Android/data/dji.go.v5/files/waypoint (Android)
    2. An existing Mavic 3 mission will be needed. This mission will be overwritten. If transferring many missions, create one (in DJI Fly) specifically for transfer purposes and use it each time you transfer a misstion.
      • Note: Mavic 3 mission folders and KMZ files use a GUID for both the folder name and as the KMZ file name. GUIDs look something like this: 9C93523B-E002-4378-8732-0B016C3F82A3.kmz.
      • Note: Your waypoint folder structure may look like this:
        • waypoint
          • 9C93523B-E002-4378-8732-0B016C3F82A3 <-- a mission folder
            • 9C93523B-E002-4378-8732-0B016C3F82A3.kmz <-- a waypoint mission KMZ file
    3. Select a mission folder (a folder named as a GUID as shown above) that can be overwritten.
      • Hint: Use the creation date to identify the mission to be overwritten.
    4. Rename the KMZ file created with this web application so that it matches the name of the mission file on your device that you will be replacing.
    5. Upload the new KMZ file to this folder which will replace the one that is already there.
      • Note: On IOS devices (iPhone, iPad, MacBook), Airdrop can be used to copy and transfer files.
      • Back-up existing waypoint folder prior to copy and transfer.
      • Do not delete any files.
  5. In DJI Fly:
    1. Start DJI Fly and enter the Waypoints menu.
    2. Open the newly imported mission.
      • Note: When initially opened, your current location will be displayed instead of the mission location.
    3. Navigate to the mission location on the map and then choose "Save As" to create a new mission. This new mission will have the corrrect preview image.
    4. Optional: Delete the imported mission. You may also choose to retain it for future imports.
    5. Examine all waypoints to be sure they are configured as expected.
    6. Adjust the Waypoint mission parameters (such as speed) as desired.
  6. Go fly!
Mavic 3 Waypoint Mission Created From Litchi

This web application can be used to convert a Litchi mission CSV file into an Air 3 or Mavic 3 (all models) waypoint KMZ file.

Once created, the KMZ file must be uploaded to the "waypoint" folder on the device running DJI Fly. Detailed instructions are available from the "Instructions" button above.

Things you should know about this application:

  • DJI Fly was not designed for mission uploads. Therefore, some extra steps must be performed to upload missions. This process may be too complicated for the casual user.
  • From what I have seen, all Mavic 3 missions store data in metric units. Therefore, if a Litchi mission is uploaded with imperial units, the data will be converted to metric units in the Mavic 3 KMZ output.
  • Differences between Litchi Missions and Mavic 3 Missions:
    • It is important to understand that the resulting Mavic 3 waypoint mission will not follow the exact path of the Litchi waypoint mission. This is because in Mavic 3 missions, the flight path uses a Bézier curve where the path goes through the control points. However, Litchi generates a flight path using a B-Spline where the control points do not generally fall on the curve. [Example]
    • While the Mavic 3 WayPoint Markup Language (WPML) does support straight-line missions, it appears that the Mavic 3 erroneously handles straight-line parameters. If you convert a straight-line Litchi mission to a Mavic 3 mission, straight-line parameters will be ignored and the KMZ file will contain a curved-turn mission.
    • DJI Fly does not appear to directly support either the "Tilt Camera" nor "Rotate Aircraft" waypoint actions. While the WPML language does appear to support those actions, their implementation in the Mavic 3 is unknown. In many cases those two actions could also be replaced by setting the gimbal pitch angle in "Interpolation" mode and by setting the aircraft heading at each waypoint.
    • Litchi has two ways to define the heading and gimbal pitch angles at a waypoint:
      1. Heading and Gimbal Pitch (Focus POI or Interpolate) settings
      2. Rotate aircraft and Tilt Camera waypoint actions

      The Mavic 3 has one way to define heading or gimbal pitch angles using "action groups" and "actions". Converting between the Litchi method and Mavic 3 method is not always well-defined and may produce unexpected results.

NOTE: I do not own a Mavic 3. As a result, I am unable to test-fly a converted mission. However, this software has been successfully used by many people. If you do experience any abnormalities flying a converted Litchi mission, please let me know.

Signal Lost Action:
Drone Type:
Mission Speed:
m/s
Litchi CSV File Upload:

Resources

Litchi Utilities dot Com