Useful Software
QGroundControl
GRYFN utilizes QGroundControl for our PX4-based flight planning. While you may use any ground control software you prefer, GRYFN may not be able to assist with other software.
What is QGroundControl?
"QGroundControl provides full flight control and mission planning for any MAVLink enabled drone. Its primary goal is ease of use for professional users and developers. All the code is open-source source, so you can contribute and evolve it as you want." - QGroundControl
Where can I learn more about QGroundControl?
Alta QGroundControl
Alta QGroundControl is a fork of QGroundControl developed in April 2019 by Freefly, and last updated March 2020. Given the age of this software, it is recommended that flight planning not be conducted in Alta QGroundControl. Instead, use the latest stable version of the main fork of QGroundControl for all flight planning needs (see section above for information and download).
However, Alta QGroundControl is the only program that allows a user to make parameter updates to the Freefly Alta X aircraft itself. While the default configuration from Freefly, with light modifications by GRYFN, should suit most needs, there may be instances where a user would like to update the aircraft's configuration (safety parameters, ascent rates, etc.) Therefore, it is our recommendation that Alta QGroundControl be installed on a field laptop alongside QGroundControl should a user need to make aircraft parameter updates.
QGIS
What is QGIS?
"QGIS is a user friendly Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) licensed under the GNU General Public License. QGIS is an official project of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). It runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, Windows and Android and supports numerous vector, raster, and database formats and functionalities." - QGIS
Why not ESRI products?
Both QGIS and products from ESRI serve similar purposes. The reason QGIS is included as an optional software here by GRYFN is because of its cost-free nature. This allows others in your organization to get involved in working with data without the need of purchasing for licenses for an application like ArcGIS Pro.
Where can I learn more about QGIS?
CloudCompare
What is CloudCompare?
"CloudCompare is a 3D point cloud (and triangular mesh) processing software. It has been originally designed to perform comparison between two dense 3D points clouds (such as the ones acquired with a laser scanner) or between a point cloud and a triangular mesh. It relies on a specific octree structure dedicated to this task. Afterwards, it has been extended to a more generic point cloud processing software, including many advanced algorithms (registration, resampling, color/normal/scalar fields handling, statistics computation, sensor management, interactive or automatic segmentation, display enhancement, etc.)." - CloudCompare
Where can I learn more about CloudCompare?
Notepad++
What is Notepad++?
"Notepad++ is a free (as in “free speech” and also as in “free beer”) source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GNU General Public License. " -Notepad++
"Based on the powerful editing component Scintilla, Notepad++ is written in C++ and uses pure Win32 API and STL which ensures a higher execution speed and smaller program size. By optimizing as many routines as possible without losing user friendliness, Notepad++ is trying to reduce the world carbon dioxide emissions. When using less CPU power, the PC can throttle down and reduce power consumption, resulting in a greener environment." -Notepad++
Where can I learn more about Notepad++?
Ouster Studio
What is Ouster Studio?
Ouster Studio is an application developed for Ouster LiDAR sensors to visualize and live stream raw Ouster LiDAR data. Ouster Studio is a great tool for visualizing UAV-captured raw LiDAR data, and can be helpful in debugging.
Where can I learn more about Ouster Studio?
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