You’ve already chosen the right drone, compared lidar scanners, and navigated the Federal Aviation Administration certification process. The last thing you need is a complicated, time-consuming workflow to turn your collected data into maps and models. With Global Mapper Pro, you don’t have to choose between speed, power or affordability. This all-in-one GIS software enables efficient completion of your entire workflow, from importing drone data to presenting quality 3D outputs.

The Pixels to Points tool, built into Global Mapper Pro, is a powerful photogrammetric engine. With recent speed enhancements and automatic ground control point identification, the processing of drone imagery is faster and more precise than ever. Beginners to drone mapping can use the Wizard to walk through the image processing steps, while advanced users have full control through the main dialog. Overlapping aerial images are stitched together using Structure from Motion to create seamless orthoimages along with dynamic 3D models and point clouds.

The versatility of Global Mapper Pro doesn’t stop at image processing. After generating point clouds, users can take advantage of automated classification tools—recognized for their accuracy in classifying buildings, vegetation, power lines and more. By filtering ground points, digital terrain models can be created for advanced spatial analysis such as line-of-sight, watershed mapping or contour generation. For orthoimages, the Global Mapper Insight and Learning Engine applies deep learning to detect features such as buildings and vehicles directly from imagery.

Supporting more than 380 file formats, Global Mapper Pro offers flexibility far beyond aerial imagery. Users can just as easily import and analyze data types like .LAZ or .DWG. When it’s time to present results, tools such as the 3D Viewer with recorded fly-throughs or walk-throughs and geospatial PDF export support informed decision-making, while keeping workflows efficient and cost-effective.

Ready to take off? Whether you're just getting started or looking to advance your drone mapping capabilities, Global Mapper Pro with Pixels to Points brings you from drone to data—fast. To sharpen your skills, explore self-paced or instructor-led training options available from Blue Marble Geographics.

Printed in the 2025 issue of UAS Magazine

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