Toposurface from UAV survey

[Limbatus]

Is anybody making Toposurfaces for their Revit models with a UAV? I went to the UAVSA show in LA this weekend and saw a couple companies who's drones will map dxf site models. Has anybody had experience importing a model like this into Revit? Would it be possible to map the photo imagery as the surface material? I'm curious whether a high quality camera like an SLR would give you a better terrain model than a GoPro. This would be great for preliminary modeling before I get a surveyor on board for a project.

Pix4D
http://pix4d.com/

Skycatch
https://www.skycatch.com/

Drone Deploy
https://www.dronedeploy.com/

[cadtag]

bearing in mind that commercial use of uavs is currently illegal....

[Limbatus]

You can get an UAS COA from the FAA and operate a sub 55 lbs UAV under 50 KTS under 400'

[Limbatus]

you could probably do this with a balloon on your site also, just might take a while

[jsteinhauer]

If you do not charge for the mapping of the site, does it count as a commercial use? One of the areas where the government is lagging behind the technology. I would have loved to have this available to me when surveying existing buildings. Anyone look at AutoDesk ReCap (reality capture)?

Cheers,
Jeff S.

[david_peterson]

There's a sweet new feature in recap for use of a GoPro. Stitches all images together and then makes your 3d image off of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vTG6lLFoKc

[Limbatus]

Unfortunately, yes. Under the current laws, If you are advertising service and profiting from it, the FAA may send you a letter asking you to stop. This is of course unless you apply for an Unmanned Aerial Systems Certificate of Authorization, and get approval from the FAA to operate. So far, it has been mostly Oil/Gas companies, Movie Studios, and some Agricultural related services that have gotten exemptions. I'm interested in applying, for my own use.... but companies like drone deploy and skycatch already have these if you are willing to pay for their service