DroneDeploy Quick Reference
CAPTURE METHODS
■ Drone Flight
Aerial maps, 3D models, orthomosaics. Automated flight path.
■ 360 Camera Walk
Ground-level video/photo. Feeds Safety AI and Progress Reports.
■ FAA Note
Drone requires authorization on some sites. Camera walks need no FAA.
ACCESS & APP
Logging In & Getting Started
3D
& VIDEO MODES
■ 3D Mode
Photogrammetry produces a measurable point cloud & surface model.
■ Record Video
Continuous footage. Safety AI scans frame-by-frame for hazards.
■ Photo Capture
Geotagged stills, auto-organized in the project timeline.
INTERNAL OPERATIONS
SAFETY AI FLAGS
■ PPE Detection
Hard hats, vests, eye & fall protection.
■ Housekeeping
Debris, blocked walkways, tripping hazards.
■ Equipment
Unsafe proximity to active machinery.
■ Auto Report
PDF summary after every walk, shareable.
BROWSER All team members can see all projects when logged in at dronedeploy.com on a computer.
PHONE APP On the phone app (DroneDeploy Ground App), you will only see projects you have been individually added to
FIX Can't see a project on your phone? Log in on a computer and add yourself to the project, or ask the VDC Coordinator to add you.
DRONE FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Before You Break Ground, and Every Month After
PRE-CON
Baseline flight before mobilization. Documents existing site conditions, neighboring properties & any pre-existing damage. Dated proof if a neighbor files a property damage claim.
MONTHLY Flight every month, ideally the first week. Builds a visual progress timeline. Owners see real progress, not just a schedule update. Admissible if scope disputes arise.
FINAL Closeout flight at substantial completion. Pairs with the Matterport final scan for a full inside-and-outside record. Protects against post-completion property damage claims.
HOW TO RUN A WALK Field Workflow
01 PREP Schedule pre-con drone flight before mobilization. Then open DroneDeploy → select project → confirm camera charged.
02 CAPTURE Tap camera icon → choose 3D, Video, or Photo. Use Video for safety walks.
03 WALK Steady pace, 30–40% overlap. Cover all spaces. Don't skip mechanical rooms.
04 UPLOAD Upload on WiFi. Processing takes 10–20 min. Don't use LTE if you can avoid it.
05 REVIEW Review AI flags → upload PDF to SharePoint (Project / Year / Date) → forward to safety officer.
SHAREPOINT & AI ANALYSIS
From Report to Prevention
UPLOAD VDC Coordinator uploads the Safety AI PDF to SharePoint after every walk. Folder: Project / Year / Date
ORGANIZE Consistent folder structure keeps every project's safety history searchable and ready for analysis.
AI ANALYSIS Claude, ChatGPT, or Copilot can read the full report library to identify recurring hazard patterns and flag high-risk areas before an incident occurs
QUICK REMINDERS
✓ Walk at least once a week. Consistency matters
✓ Use Video mode for every safety walk
✓ Cover all spaces including mechanical rooms
✓ Upload on WiFi to save time and avoid errors
✓ Upload report to SharePoint same day (Project / Year / Date)
✓ Save report links in Procore by date
✗ Don't rush. Steady pace = better AI reads
✗ Don't skip floors or tight spaces
✗ Don't ignore AI flags. Document your response
✗ Don't fly the drone without FAA authorization check
✗ Don't let SharePoint uploads pile up. Same day, every time
✗ Don't share reports before reviewing them yourself