Frequently Asked Questions

---

---

PIQuE did not recognize my camera - what do I do?

SES can easily add compatible cameras to the PIQuE database - and we depend on user input to expand our list of supported cameras. When PIQuE does not recognize a camera, it automatically creates a metadata and stores it in the "Metadata" folder ([PIQuE installation directory]/Metadata/). The file is named using the convention: "[camera model name]_Metadata.dat". Please email us the metadata file so we can update the database.

---

Does PIQuE do photogrammetry and create orthomosaics?

PIQuE does not perform any stitching or photogrammetry. PIQuE is a utility software product that is used on a Windows PC immediately after image capture in the field. PIQuE will verify there are enough pictures (and the image quality) to support future photogrammetry processing.

---

Don't photogrammetry software packages calculate overlap?

Yes, but full photogrammetry processing can take 1-5 hours on a Desktop PC, depending on the size of the project. PIQuE uses custom algorithms to complete overlap and image quality evaluations without Internet access, on a laptop PC and while still in the field. For a 100 acre site, Map Quality (Overlap and GSD) calculations can be computed in < 10seconds, and Image quality metrics can be computed in < 5 minutes. The speed of computation is proportional to the computational speed and memory of the PC in use.

---

If the PIQuE analysis shows gaps in overlap, what should I do?

Here are some options when there is not sufficient overlap:
1. Refly the whole project with more overlap
2. Fly a new pattern with the same overlap settings, but offset this pattern from the original scan, and it will "fill-in" missing rows of images.
3. Fly a new pattern that is perpendicular to the original capture, which has a similar effect as the above
4. Note the position (latitude and longitude, or NE distances) of the areas with low overlap on the PIQuE plots. Then use these coordinates to create a smaller scan area to fill in with photos. A feature to automatically generate lat/lon positions of "pickup" shots is planned for future versions of PIQuE.

---

Is PIQuE available for Apple products (MacBook or iPad)?

No. PIQuE is currently a Windows PC application only

---

---

Why doesn't PIQuE analyze all the images?

The mapping quality algorithms in PIQuE utilize simplifying approximations which are not valid for images taken at oblique angles. Only nadir images are utilized in the quality check calculations in the present version. In future versions, SES plans to upgrade our algorithms to analyze oblique images and include digital elevation data. Additionally, ground-level images do not contribute to photogrammetry map products and therefore are excluded.