Feature Request: Use Previous Maps as Basemap in Map Pilot

It would be useful if I were able to load a previous map, and even cache those tiles for subsequent flight plans.

My primary mapping area is coastlines that are different than what MapBox (or any other) basemap provider has because they change so frequently. It is therefor difficult to figure out just how far out over the ocean I need to capture from the basemap when the shoreline might be significantly farther out than is shown in the basemap.

Once I've collected a recent shoreline, I could potentially save myself a flight pass or two on the next flight and not have to guess how far out I need to fly each time.

Sean Wohltman January 18, 2016 15:11

Official comment

Right. Totally misread that.

In the version that is currently being reviewed by Apple we have added a capability for users to be able to use their own MapBox maps complete with markers, polylines, polygons and tiles as one of the basemap options for their Map Pilot maps. You can create MapBox basemap layers by uploading the GeoTiff from your previously created map layer.

This was not the intended purpose of us adding the additional MapBox settings but it sure is a nice side effect!

Tudor January 18, 2016 23:57

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8 comments

This is already a part of the basemap and manual georeferencing workflows.

When you are on the "Georeference" tab of the workflow and push a button to "Add New GCP" a dialog titled "Add a new Ground Control Point" pops up. At the top of this dialog there is a pulldown box which will allow you to select one of your own previously made Location Maps to use as a reference basemap. To do this, you just have to add the basemap you have already created into a Location Map. Instructions to do that can be found here: http://support.dronesmadeeasy.com/hc/en-us/articles/207455313-Creating-a-Location-Map

Tudor January 18, 2016 16:01 0 votes

Hey, just a clarification, this FR had nothing to do with using previous maps as a basemap for the georeferencing workflow, rather, as a basemap in the mobile app so that you can do subsequent flight plans based on your more recent view of the subject area rather than relying on your basemap provider (MapBox)

Sean Wohltman January 18, 2016 23:46 0 votes

Ha, no worries.

That is good that you'll be able to add custom MapBox basemaps, but, doesn't that then put the requirement on the user to get a paid MapBox account, download the TIFF, upload to MapBox, retile, and then reference?

Versus just being able to directly reference the existing TMS tiles for the map hosted by MapsMadeEasy (on AWS) as a layer in the mobile app?

Sean Wohltman January 19, 2016 00:31 0 votes

The free plan with MapBox allows 1GB of data uploads for free. They used to have a better medium tier before jumping up to $49/month.

All you have to do us upload the GeoTiff. It was surprisingly easy. I hadn't even considered the option until you mentioned it. We are using the MapBox caching SDK which is why we prefer to use it there. We would have to duplicate/modify their SDK to add this capability to work with our tile source. It is possible, but being that this is not likely to be a widely used feature we will likely push people towards the MapBox method.

Tudor January 19, 2016 00:46 0 votes

Can you provide the steps necessary to show a geotif that is uploaded to Mapbox. I successfully uploaded the .tif but really have no idea how to get it to show on my basemap. My only experiences with Mapbox is following your instructions to create an account and link it to Map Pilot.

Thanks.

Dave Pitman June 14, 2016 16:37 0 votes

Dave: That is a good idea for an article. We will try to get something up soon.

Tudor June 15, 2016 00:27 0 votes

Looking forward to it, thanks Tudor!

Dave Pitman June 15, 2016 17:11 0 votes