drone data processing made easy

DroneFTP.com is a cutting-edge platform designed to process high-quality drone imagery and transform it into invaluable geospatial data for professionals across various industries. 

Through advanced processing techniques, DroneFTP.com takes your raw drone images in the form of a zipped file containing images and produces detailed deliverables such as orthophotos, contour lines, and digital elevation models (DEMs). Our platform currently generates the following, but stick with us, we are working to provide additional functionality. 

• Orthophoto: Our platform generates high resolution orthorectified images, offering an accurate representation of the ground surface, with corrected distortions from the drone’s perspective.
• Contour Lines: We provide clear, detailed contour lines that map the terrain’s elevation changes, ideal for design, construction, and environmental analysis.
• Digital Elevation Model (DEM): The DEM provides a three-dimensional representation of the terrain’s surface, enabling advanced analysis and visualization.
• Vertical measurements based on ellipsoidal heights (raw GPS)
• Deliverables are ready for analysis, visualization, planning, and preliminary decision-making

The deliverables you are receiving —  including orthophotos, DEM, and contour files — are processed from your  uploaded imagery. Vertical measurements are based on ellipsoidal heights  and have not yet been corrected to a GEOID  or other vertical datum. We are actively developing a  GEOID-corrected version of these deliverables for applications that  require precise orthometric elevations. Once finalized, the  GEOID-corrected version will be available as an optional upgrade. The current deliverables can be used for  analysis, visualization, and planning. DroneFTP is not responsible for  errors arising from uncorrected vertical measurements.

Whether you're  calculating volumes, mapping small or large-scale projects, DroneFTP.com is designed to make your life easier. Our platform offers an intuitive interface for processing your drone data anytime, anywhere. This allows you to provide you or your clients quick deliverables without the large cost and time consuming software to process the data. 

As we fine-tune our features during this Beta phase, we’re dedicated to gathering feedback from early users like you to deliver a seamless experience that meets the unique needs of drone professionals. Join us in shaping the future of drone data processing and experience a smarter, faster way to process your most valuable aerial assets. 

To generate accurate maps, contours, and elevation models, DroneFTP relies on high-quality aerial images taken with proper overlap and flight planning. These guidelines should ensure the software can align photos correctly.

Photogrammetry requires multiple images of the same area from slightly different angles. This allows the software to find matching features and reconstruct the terrain.

Recommended overlap:

• Front overlap (along the flight path): 75–85%
   
• Side overlap (between flight lines): 70–80%
   

Higher overlap is especially important for:

• Dense vegetation
   
• Water-adjacent areas
   
• Sites with tall structures
   
• Low-texture surfaces (sand, gravel, pavement)
   

Fly at a uniform height to avoid scale changes in the images.
Pick a flight altitude based on your client’s expected resolution—typically 200–400 ft AGL for mapping missions.

For most mapping jobs, images should be captured with the camera facing straight down (0° tilt).
This produces the best orthomosaics, DEMs, and contour data.

Optional oblique imagery may be used for 3D models, but not necessary for standard mapping.

Use a traditional lawnmower/grid flight or a double-grid for higher accuracy.
This ensures full coverage and consistent overlap across the entire site.

Best conditions:

• Midday sun
   
• Clear or lightly cloudy skies
   
• Avoid sunrise/sunset when long shadows distort surface reconstruction
   

To prevent blur:

• Fly slower (10–15 mph)
   
• Use auto shutter or fast shutter speeds
   
• Disable digital zoom
   

Motion blur reduces the software’s ability to match features accurately.

Photogrammetry struggles with:

• Shiny metal roofs
   
• Water
   
• Uniform grass fields
   
• Transparent surfaces
   

Extra overlap may help, but awareness is key.

To ensure DroneFTP can process your data reliably:

• 75–85% front overlap
   
• 70–80% side overlap
   
• Consistent altitude
   
• Straight-down (nadir) photos
   
• Grid flight pattern
   
• Clear, sharp images without motion blur
   

If pilots follow these simple steps, DroneFTP can produce high-quality orthomosaics, elevation models, and contours from almost any mapping mission.

Ready to take off? 

After you signup and login:

1. Do not refresh or close the browser tab during this time. After uploading the page will notify you with a message like "file uploaded successfully". 

2. In-queue: The status will change to "In-queue" immediately after the file is uploaded.

3. Processing: After approximately 6 minutes the status will change to "Processing". 

4. Completed: If processing is successful, the status will change to "Completed". 

5. Failed: If there are any issues during processing, the status will change to "Failed".

With DroneFTP, pilots can instantly enhance their service offerings, including:

• Orthomosaic maps
  High-resolution, stitched imagery ready for planning, monitoring, and reporting.
   
• Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)
  Elevation surfaces that support construction, agricultural analysis, and terrain evaluation.
   
• Contour lines
  Automatically generated contours that give clients a deeper understanding of site conditions.
   
• Export-ready deliverables
  Files delivered in industry-standard formats (e.g., GeoTIFF, DWF) that slot directly into engineering, GIS, and planning workflows.
   

DroneFTP handles the processing, so clients can offer these premium products even without GIS or photogrammetry expertise. The platform turns a typical drone job into a comprehensive mapping package, helping pilots increase revenue per client, win more contracts, and stand out in a competitive market.

SIGN UP HERE to start processing