Spiral Mission Creator for Litchi Instructions

Instructions

This application will convert a Google Earth kml or kmz file containing a circular path to a Litchi csv file.

1. In Google Earth Pro:
   1. Use Google Earth Pro to navigate to the mission area.
   2. From the ribbon select the "Ruler" tool.
   3. In the Ruler tool, select the "Circle" tab.
   4. Click once on the map at the desired point of interest (POI).
   5. Drag to (and click) where the first waypoint is to be located.
   6. In the Ruler tool click on "Save".
   7. The New Path window will open. Click OK.
   8. In the "Places" window pane, right-click on "Circle Measure" and "Save Place As" a kml or kmz file.
2. In page one of Spiral Mission Creator for Litchi:
   1. Select the desired units and direction of travel.
   2. Approach: Select whether or not an extra waypoint should be added to the beginning of the mission. The first waypoint of a waypoint mission is sometimes problematic. Despite defining a heading and gimbal pitch angle at the first waypoint, when executed, the drone heading and camera angle are not applied until after the drone passes the first waypoint. This option is used to make the drone smoothly approach the spiral.
      • It enables the drone to achieve the correct heading and gimbal pitch angle prior to the first spiral waypoint of the mission.
      • It enables the drone operator to begin recording prior to the first spiral waypoint of the mission while on a smooth path.
      • It enables the addition of more waypoints prior to the first waypoint on the spiral so that more complex spiral entries are possible.
   3. Revolutions: Select the number of revolutions desired (fractions are acceptable).
   4. Select the starting, ending, and POI height
   5. Select the ending radius scale factor to make the path either spiral in or spiral out.
   6. Degrees per Waypoint: Select the number of degrees rotation of the spiral per waypoint. A larger increment will result in fewer waypoints. For example, if 5° is chosen, there will be 360°/5° = 72 waypoints on the circumference of one complete spiral. If 10° is chosen, there will be 36 waypoints.
   7. The gimbal pitch angle can be set to either focus on a POI or interpolate between a starting and ending pitch angle.
      • Focus POI: This mode is appropriate when flying around an object where it is desired to keep the camera pointed at a specific height on that object throughout the entire mission. Flying around a small building is an example of a mission where focusing on a point of interest might be the best option.
      • Interpolate: This mode is appropriate when flying around a tall structure where it is desired to have the camera focus at a height that changes throughout the mission. Flying around a tower is an example of a mission where interpolating between a starting and ending gimbal pitch angle might be the best option.
   8. Use the file chooser to upload your kml or kmz file.
   9. Generate the mission and review the resulting parameters.
3. In page two of Spiral Mission Creator for Litchi:
   1. Review the parameters and calculations.
   2. Download the csv file.
4. In the Litchi Mission Hub:
   1. Use the Missions menu to import the csv file created by Spiral Mission Creator for Litchi.
   2. In "Settings" make sure that the "Heading Mode" is set to "Custom (WD)".
   3. Adjust the Litchi mission parameters (such as speed) as desired
   4. Go fly!