GEP | McLean Pictures

GEP ( Google Earth Pro )

DRONE VIDEO

Instructions to produce a virtual flight for a drone VIDEO shoot request and client approval.

DRONE STILL PHOTOGRAPHY

To make camera views for still picture requests, just use Google maps and do a screen capture.

If you want stills taken at specific spots along your virtual video flight, then do a screen capture when setting way-points in GEP or email the way-point number or just ask for stills at every way-point.

"Google Earth Pro" is a stand alone application that needs to be installed.

Note : "Google Maps" and "Google Earth" do not have the

features required to produce a virtual flight of a specific drone service provider.

https://www.google.com/earth/versions/#earth-pro

This you tube video explains the procedure.

Below the video link are step by step instructions.

YOU TUBE

Open GEP "Google Earth Pro". ( "Google Maps" and "Google Earth" do not have the features required to set views for a autonomous drone flight.)

In GEP move camera view around where you like and set a WP. (way point)

( tech note : these way-points will not be used as drone way-points for flight. The camera position is converted into a flight way-point for the actual flight. The way-points being set in GEP in effect become the POI (point of interest) location to control "pan" and tilt of the drone camera)

See video for details on setting way-points.

Name your way points as numbers, 1,2,3...

Set as many as you like up to about 30. (If more then that please email mark@pamco-imaging.com)

AFTER YOUR DONE SETTING WAY-POINTS, THEN,

In GEP, FILE / SAVE / SAVE PLACE AS , save as a KML somewhere you can find later.

( NOTE: M U S T be a KML not a KMZ )

Email that 1 KML file to mark@pamco-imaging.com

A new KML file will be emailed back. ( it will be named using your file name plus wording "flight preview" or other wording)

In GEP, goto FILE/OPEN ( if OPEN is ghosted out, check that the player

bottom left is not open, also the audio player, close both) , find the KML

that was emailed back to you with the added wording "flight preview" or similar wording and select it.

/ In GEP a new folder should appear under the TEMP folder, expand that folder to see all sub folders inside, double click on "VIRTUAL MISSION" or just click once to highlight it and use the player button near the bottom of the screen. It will look like a camera or a folder with an arrow pointing to the right.

NOTE: there may be delays at the start and end of the flight.

Approve or edit.

NOTE: The drone movements at the very beginning and end in the virtual mission are not representative of the actual flight as the take off and landing location

information is missing. You drone operator and video editor will sort that out.

If you wish to change any view or camera/drone movement, that must be done

in your original GEP project where you set the way points. Or start a new one. In any case the new or revised project (KML) will need to be emailed to mark@pamco-imaging.com as a KML.

Below is a GEP GUI guide