Quick start
Drone Collab combines survey positioning and drone-image processing in a cloud workflow. Open the application, choose or create a project, prepare your images and optional GNSS/PPK files, review the processing quote in points, confirm the job, and monitor the cloud-processing stages.
Free trial
Drone Collab includes a trial so new users can validate the workflow with their own drone imagery before choosing a paid subscription.
| Trial limit | Included |
|---|---|
| Images per trial processing job | Up to 200 images |
| Number of trial processing jobs | 3 processing jobs |
| Paid subscription required to start | No |
Subscriptions
After the free trial, subscriptions determine included storage and the point balance available for processing. Yearly billing is the public default, with Standard at US$800/year positioned as the recommended professional plan. Included point allowances were increased for the new 2-points-per-image processing tariff.
Yearly plans
| Plan | Price | Storage | Included points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $300/year | 250 GB | 18,000 | — |
| Standard | $800/year | 1 TB | 48,000 | Best Value |
| Advanced | $2,000/year | 2 TB | 120,000 | — |
| Enterprise | $5,000/year | 5 TB | 300,000 | — |
Monthly plans
| Plan | Price | Storage | Included points / cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $45/month | 250 GB | 1,500 |
| Standard | $120/month | 1 TB | 4,000 |
| Advanced | $300/month | 2 TB | 10,000 |
| Enterprise | $750/month | 5 TB | 25,000 |
Processing points
The current standard paid-processing rate is 2 points per image. The point conversion remains 1,000 points = US$10, or 100 points = US$1. This means standard 15-day processing costs US$0.02 per image in point value.
When points are reserved
- Preflight checks the dataset and image count.
- The application reads the active database pricing configuration and calculates a job quote.
- The user reviews the point charge before full upload.
- The required points are reserved when the job is confirmed.
- System-related failures may be reviewed for eligible point release or refund.
Public processing estimate
The public estimator now follows the same linear standard tariff used by the Analysis Server: 2 points per image for 15-day raw retention.
| Image count | Standard points | Equivalent USD |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 200 | US$2 |
| 500 | 1,000 | US$10 |
| 1,000 | 2,000 | US$20 |
| 2,000 | 4,000 | US$40 |
| 5,000 | 10,000 | US$100 |
| 10,000 | 20,000 | US$200 |
Project size, megapixels and selected outputs still affect technical worker provisioning, RAM and processing time, but they do not change the current standard per-image charge. The final application quote is always shown before upload.
GNSS processing
GNSS workflows are intended for compatible survey observations, reference data and positioning-quality checks. Input requirements depend on the selected workflow and the available observation files.
Where both static and PPK workflows are used, the positioning result can be used to improve the spatial quality of the drone project before or alongside photogrammetry processing.
PPK correction
PPK correction requires compatible rover observations, base-station or CORS data, accurate time information and a reliable relationship between camera events and images. Available logs are validated before correction begins.
Photogrammetric processing
Standard processing can include image alignment, dense point-cloud reconstruction, orthomosaic generation, DSM, DTM, textured 3D products and a processing report. Under the current pricing version, selected standard output count does not change the 2-points-per-image rate.
Recommended dataset preparation
- Use images with sufficient forward and side overlap.
- Avoid blurred or heavily under/overexposed images.
- Keep useful EXIF and camera metadata intact.
- Use consistent image dimensions and camera settings when possible.
- Provide accurate GNSS/PPK logs when positioning correction is required.
Outputs
| Output | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Orthomosaic | Georeferenced imagery for mapping, measurement and visual interpretation. |
| Dense point cloud | 3D point representation for inspection, analysis and export. |
| DSM | Surface elevation including terrain and above-ground objects. |
| DTM | Terrain-focused elevation model when the selected workflow supports it. |
| Textured 3D model | Visual 3D reconstruction for inspection and presentation. |
| Processing report | Project processing status and quality information. |
Storage policy
Raw input images are stored temporarily for 15 days as part of the standard 2-points-per-image processing price. Temporary processing files do not consume the customer's permanent project-storage quota. Final selected outputs use the storage included in the subscription.
The current 30-day raw-retention option uses a 1.10× point multiplier. Retention pricing is database-driven so future commercial changes do not require changing the processing engine.
Drones and cameras
Drone Collab is designed for common geotagged JPEG/TIFF imagery from leading drone and camera systems. Typical compatible ecosystems include DJI, Autel, Sony, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Phase One and custom UAV payloads. Multispectral and thermal processing depends on sensor model, metadata and calibration information.
Processing job lifecycle
- Select dataset: choose imagery and optional positioning inputs.
- Preflight: validate count, dimensions, metadata and obvious dataset issues.
- Quote: calculate points and equivalent USD value.
- Confirm: reserve points and begin the upload/processing workflow.
- Process: run cloud photogrammetry and monitor stages.
- Deliver: view, download or save selected outputs.
Application: https://app.dronecollab.com