Learn how to process drone imagery in Pixels to Points

The Pixels to Points® course on the Blue Marble Geographics Online Classroom can help you get started with Global Mapper Pro®, a robust photogrammetry software. If you’re interested in creating orthoimages/3D models with drone data, or if you have experience as a UAV pilot and want to streamline your current workflow, consider Global Mapper Pro. The self-paced course demonstrates how to process the images and use the output products.

Turn Drone Imagery into 3D Outputs

Pixels to Points is a robust photogrammetry mapping tool included with Global Mapper Pro that enables users to process overlapping drone survey imagery and thus create 3D models, point clouds, or orthorectified imagery. The new Pixels to Points course on the Blue Marble Online Classroom provides hands-on, step-by-step instruction for using the software. From data collection to working with the output products, this course covers related tools and processes to aid you on your photogrammetry and 3D point cloud processing journey.

Photogrammetry Mapping

The Pixels to Points course begins with an overview of the Structure from Motion (SfM) principles used in the software. After a lesson on mission planning and imagery collection recommendations, you’ll have the chance to work with provided sample datasets. The lesson on ground control provides further suggestions and includes an optional overview of how to use Global Mapper Mobile with a GNSS receiver for collecting ground control points to ensure your final deliverables are positionally accurate.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore other relevant tools in Global Mapper Pro for checking your new phodar point cloud against other data along with creating profiles and QC reports. After examining various advanced Pixels to Points settings and comparing output products, you’ll even learn the scripting commands making it possible to automate the photogrammetry software processing. The final lesson takes you through sample point cloud processing, including classifying ground points and creating terrain surface models from your phodar point cloud.

Premium Self-Paced Courses Developed by our Geospatial & GIS Software Experts

The Blue Marble Online Classroom is always accepting new students; enroll today to learn more about photogrammetry mapping and the many tools for phodar point cloud processing in Global Mapper Pro. The Online Classroom includes many other self-directed courses, from introductory tours of all our software products to advanced courses on scripting for workflow automation. For other training opportunities, including live instructor-led classes for full Global Mapper Certification, be sure to check our GIS and Geospatial Software Training Calendar.

Earn a Certificate

After completing the self-paced online course, you can earn a personalized certificate documenting your drone survey and photogrammetry mapping skills. After reviewing the course material and creating and classifying a phodar point cloud, you’ll take a brief assessment to recap your learning and earn your individual completion certificate.

To explore Pixels to Points in Global Mapper Pro, download a 14-day free trial today! If you have any questions, please contact us.

Process drone-collected data in Global Mapper Pro

We create a range of resources for our GIS and geospatial software users, including articles, video tutorials, and more! This is especially true for workflows that use drone-collected data. We’ve compiled the best resources for drone/UAV projects below.

GEOSPATIAL AND GIS SOFTWARE TUTORIALS

• Three-step guide to drone/UAV flight & data collection 
• Using UAV/drone imagery to map a golf course
• Visit the Global Mapper Knowledge Base for detailed information about the software

GLOBAL MAPPER VIDEO CONTENT

• What it takes to fly a drone – Video series on YouTube
• Podcast episode about drone mapping in Saco Bay, ME