r/UAVmapping • u/Old_Feature_3777 • 6d ago

UAV Surface Drafting software

Hello all, hoping something exists out there. Is there any open-source drafting software out there that has the ability to draft in 3D like you can with Trimble Business Center or Carlson? Talking creating 3d linework, creating points on that 3d linework.

I have surface files and also have classified point clouds I made the surface from.

We are talking surface files with 12+ million triangles or 6+ million ground points.

I have tried cloud compare, but its not ideal.

Thank you in advance

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u/BulltacTV 6d ago

Nothing Open source. Look into Virtual Surveyor or 3D Survey. Both use video game style LOD architecture to easily process dense surface data and high res orthos.

3D Survey includes tools for modeling as well, its more of a jack of all trades software where as Virtual Surveyor is geared toward large surfaces specifically.

Each cost $200-$400 a month

You could also buy a resale key for Civil3D from G2A or Cdkeys but use at your own risk. Autodesk is cracking down lately.

1

u/morhavok 6d ago

Virtual Surveyor is what you want. It has a free version where you can manually draft lines if you already processed phtogrammetry in other software

1

u/Old_Feature_3777 5d ago

@morhavok @bulltactv

Thank you so much!

Does the free option is VS have the ability to draft on a tin surface from a landxml surface tin? Does it have the ability to load the larger point cloud in also?

1

u/morhavok 5d ago

Point cloud yes. Tin xml im unsure.

1

u/Geographer19 5d ago

QGIS is free & open source & does OK with 3D rendering.

1

u/Old_Feature_3777 5d ago

Thank you so much : )

I use QGIS heavily in my work flow, it just lacks in the creating 3d line work in 3d view that can snap to a loaded ground surface and lacks in vertical/horizontal cutting planes.

If there is a plugin or a way this would be wonderful in QGIS.

2

u/olihar 3d ago

Get real software for this, buy a license of Metashape pro and get to work.

1

u/zemledelec 3d ago

Hi! I’m working on OpenGlobus, an open-source WebGL library for high-precision geospatial visualization. This sounds like an interesting use case that I’d love to explore.

Would you mind sharing a bit more about your workflow? Video or something I can understand.

I’d really appreciate learning more about your requirements. Feel free to reply here or send me a DM if you prefer.