Our work

Drone Survey & 3D Modelling Projects

Real Droneacres captures, explained: what was captured, what was produced, why it is useful and how the same approach could help your project.

Construction progress mapping and 3D modelling

Housing development, North East

A residential development in the North East, captured across multiple visits to document construction progress and provide accurate, up-to-date site records.

What was captured: Repeat flights over the whole development on the same flight plan, oblique photographs from fixed viewpoints, and overlapping imagery for a 3D model.
What was produced: Georeferenced orthomosaics from each visit, matched before-and-after views and a textured 3D model of the development.
Why it is useful: Repeat captures on the same flight plan allow plots, roads and earthworks to be compared between dates, and the whole site can be examined from any angle without a site visit.
How it could help your project: The same approach gives housebuilders and contractors a dated record for progress meetings, valuations and client updates, and a baseline for measured earthworks, as-built records or design comparisons.

Repeat visits compared

Aerial view of a housing development at an earlier stage: foundation slabs, blockwork and timber roof trusses under construction — Drag the handle, or use the arrow keys, to compare.

The same housing development at a later stage: houses roofed, solar panels fitted and roads surfaced — Drag the handle, or use the arrow keys, to compare.

Orthomosaic of a housing development at an earlier stage: earthworks, stockpiles and the first foundations either side of the spine road — Drag the handle, or use the arrow keys, to compare.

Orthomosaic of the same housing development at a later stage: completed houses, gardens and roads, with remaining plots under construction — Drag the handle, or use the arrow keys, to compare.

3D model of the development

Overlapping photographs processed into a textured 3D model that can be orbited and inspected from any angle, showing scaffolding, roof structures, materials and finished plots.

Droneacres textured 3D model of a housing development under construction in the North East

Another view of the Droneacres 3D model, with houses at different stages of construction

Interactive 3D modelOpen the 3D modelHousing development, North East. Opens in a new tab.

Heritage 3D documentation

St Robert's Church, Morpeth

A detailed exterior 3D model of St Robert's Church in Morpeth, built from thousands of overlapping drone photographs and explorable online.

What was captured: The exterior of the church, including the spire, roofs and stone elevations, from orbits and close passes at different heights.
What was produced: A detailed textured 3D model that can be explored online in a web browser.
Why it is useful: High-level features such as the spire, finials and roof coverings can be inspected remotely from any angle, which helps people understand the building's geometry, plan access and maintenance, and keep a dated record of its condition.
How it could help your project: Churches, heritage bodies, architects and contractors can use the same approach to inspect difficult-to-reach features, plan scaffolding and repairs, and record a building before and after work.

Droneacres 3D model of St Robert's Church, Morpeth, seen from above, showing the spire, slate roofs and stone elevations

Close view of the spire of St Robert's Church in the Droneacres 3D model, showing the finial, cross and weathered stonework

Interactive 3D modelOpen the 3D modelSt Robert's Church, Morpeth. Opens in a new tab.

Structural 3D modelling

Herd Groyne Lighthouse, South Shields

An explorable 3D model of Herd Groyne Lighthouse in South Shields, showing how a structure that is difficult to reach can be recorded and inspected remotely.

What was captured: Overlapping drone photographs of the lighthouse from all sides and at different heights.
What was produced: A textured 3D model that can be explored online in a web browser.
Why it is useful: The lantern room, gallery railings, weathervane, legs and access ladder can all be inspected from any angle, without access equipment.
How it could help your project: Owners and engineers responsible for towers, masts, bridges and other structures can use the same approach to inspect condition and plan maintenance.

Droneacres 3D model of Herd Groyne Lighthouse, South Shields: the red lantern room with gallery railings and a weathervane, raised on legs with an access ladder

Interactive 3D modelOpen the 3D modelHerd Groyne Lighthouse, South Shields. Opens in a new tab.