PHOTOGRAMMETRY SERVICES
Photogrammetry &
Digital Twins
Millimetre-resolution 3D site models, precision orthomosaics, and living digital twins — built from aerial data and engineered for planning, rehabilitation, and construction management.
Sub-3cm GSD Resolution
Georeferenced Deliverables
BIM + CAD Compatible
OVERVIEW
What Is Aerial Photogrammetry?
Aerial photogrammetry uses overlapping high-resolution images captured from a UAV to reconstruct precise three-dimensional models of terrain, structures, and environments. Advanced processing algorithms extract geometry, texture, and georeferenced coordinates from every photograph.
The result is a rich, measurable digital replica of your site — used for design, documentation, progress tracking, condition assessment, and stakeholder communication. When updated on a regular schedule, this becomes a living digital twin of your asset or project.
Compass UAV delivers photogrammetric products at engineering-grade accuracy, with outputs formatted for Autodesk, Esri, Bentley, and other professional platforms.
≤ 3 cm/px
Ground Sample Distance
±2–4 cm
Horizontal Accuracy
Up to 1,000 pts/m²
3D Point Density
Daily to Annual
Update Frequency
KEY BENEFITS
Why a Digital Twin?
Digital twins give you a permanent, measurable record of your asset that can be consulted, shared, and updated without returning to site.
Photorealistic 3D Models
Dense point clouds and textured mesh models capture every surface detail — roof conditions, structural features, terrain, and site context — in a single, measurable 3D environment.
Living Digital Twins
Regular aerial updates build a chronological record of site change. Monitor construction progress against BIM, track asset condition over time, and detect deviations early.
Reduce Field Exposure
Replace hazardous manual inspections with safe, detailed aerial surveys. Access inaccessible areas without scaffolding, confined-space entry, or rope access — at a fraction of the cost.
Precise Measurement & Analysis
Every model is georeferenced and measurable. Extract cross-sections, calculate areas and volumes, measure clearances, and perform change detection — all within the 3D model.
APPLICATIONS
Where We Apply Photogrammetry
From single structures to multi-hectare sites, across the full project lifecycle.
Construction Progress Monitoring
Monthly or weekly aerial surveys against BIM models for schedule tracking, quantity verification, and stakeholder reporting.
Heritage & Cultural Site Documentation
Photorealistic 3D capture of built heritage, monuments, and archaeological sites for archival, planning, and interpretive use.
Dam & Water Structure Assessment
Full-face 3D surface models of dam faces, spillways, and appurtenances for condition assessment and rehabilitation planning.
Façade & Roof Condition Surveys
Detailed building envelope documentation for maintenance planning, insurance claims, and capital project budgeting.
Urban Planning & Infill Studies
Precise 3D context models of existing urban environments to support design, shadow studies, and public engagement.
Industrial Site Documentation
As-built documentation of complex plant environments for operations, maintenance, and capital project design.
Environmental Monitoring
Repeat aerial surveys to quantify shoreline erosion, vegetation change, slope movement, and land use transitions.
Stockpile & Volume Tracking
Regular orthomosaic and surface model updates for accurate inventory tracking at quarries, mines, and material yards.
DELIVERABLES
What You Receive
All deliverables are QA-reviewed, georeferenced, and supplied in formats compatible with your existing workflows.
Custom projection systems, BIM integration, and web-based 3D model hosting available on request.
Precision Orthomosaic
True-ortho aerial imagery at sub-3cm GSD, georeferenced and ready for GIS and CAD overlay.
Dense Point Cloud
Photogrammetric point cloud in LAS/LAZ format, classified and georeferenced for analysis.
Textured 3D Mesh Model
Photorealistic OBJ/FBX mesh model with full texture bake — compatible with most 3D platforms.
Digital Elevation Models
DSM and DTM at client-specified resolution for volumetric and hydrological analysis.
Contours & Cross-Sections
2D/3D contours and engineering cross-sections extracted at specified intervals and orientations.
Change Detection Reports
Quantified surface comparison between epochs highlighting areas of change, gain, or loss.
FEATURED PROJECT
Major Dam Face Photogrammetry & Rehabilitation Survey
Compass UAV completed a full aerial photogrammetric survey of a major hydro dam face and spillway infrastructure to support an extensive rehabilitation program. The project required high-resolution 3D surface modelling of concrete faces, joints, and drainage systems inaccessible by traditional inspection methods.
- Full dam face and spillway 3D model — sub-2cm GSD
- Crack mapping and joint condition documentation
- Deliverables integrated into rehabilitation design workflow
- Survey completed in 2 days with zero scaffolding or rope access
FEATURED PROJECT
Urban Waterfront Digital Twin — Ontario Place, Toronto
A comprehensive aerial photogrammetry campaign of the Ontario Place waterfront site was undertaken to support redevelopment planning. The resulting high-density digital twin captured the full site context — buildings, grounds, marina, and waterfront infrastructure — in a georeferenced 3D model delivered to the planning and design team.
- Full-site 3D model covering 38+ hectares
- Sub-3cm resolution orthomosaic and textured mesh
- Delivered in CAD and GIS-compatible formats
- Used to inform design, massing studies, and shadow analysis
FAQ
Common Questions
What is the difference between photogrammetry and LiDAR?
Photogrammetry uses overlapping photographs to reconstruct 3D geometry and texture. LiDAR uses laser pulses to directly measure distances. Photogrammetry produces richer visual outputs and is more cost-effective for surface documentation, while LiDAR excels at penetrating vegetation canopy for bare-earth terrain modelling. Many projects benefit from combining both.
What accuracy can I expect from a photogrammetric survey?
With properly placed ground control points, aerial photogrammetry achieves horizontal accuracies of ±2–4 cm and vertical accuracies of ±3–5 cm. Ground sample distance (the size of one pixel on the ground) is typically 1–3 cm depending on flight altitude and camera specifications.
How does a digital twin differ from a one-time survey?
A digital twin is built from repeated surveys on a defined schedule — monthly, quarterly, or annually — creating a time-series record of your asset. This enables change detection, progress monitoring, and long-term condition tracking. A one-time survey captures the site at a single point in time for design, documentation, or inspection purposes.
Can the 3D models be viewed in standard software?
Yes. We deliver models in formats compatible with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, and web-based 3D viewers. We can also deliver via cloud-based 3D hosting platforms so models are accessible in a browser without specialist software.
Can photogrammetry be used for structural condition assessment?
Absolutely. Sub-3cm resolution models allow detailed visual inspection of concrete surfaces, cladding, roofing, and structural elements. Crack mapping, spalling documentation, and joint condition records can all be extracted from photogrammetric models without the safety risks of traditional close-up access methods.
How long does processing take after the flight?
Processing time depends on dataset size and deliverable complexity. Typical projects of 10–50 hectares are processed within 3–5 business days of data collection. Larger or more complex datasets — such as multi-epoch digital twin updates or dense urban areas — are scoped individually with agreed delivery timelines.
GET STARTED
Ready to Build Your Digital Twin?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. We’ll review your project scope, recommend the right photogrammetric approach, and outline a clear delivery timeline and update schedule.
Book a Free Consultation