Generate optimized lawnmower flight patterns for aerial surveys and mapping missions.
Exports to Litchi CSV format for DJI drones.
What is this tool?
This app turns your consumer drone (DJI Mini, Air, Mavic) into a professional mapping tool. It creates a
flight path that tells your drone exactly where to fly and take photos to create 2D maps or 3D models.
See how a mission looks without drawing anything.
Welcome to the Drone Grid Mission Planner. This tool helps you create autonomous flight plans for aerial mapping, photogrammetry, and inspection. It generates optimal flight paths (waypoints) based on your drone's camera specifications and target resolution (GSD).
Choose the appropriate mode for your project:
Best for: Orthomosaics, agricultural surveys, 3D modeling.
How to use: Select "Grid Mode", then use the Polygon tool to draw a closed shape around
your target area. The app will automatically fill it with a lawnmower flight pattern.
Best for: Roads, rivers, pipelines, power lines.
How to use: Select "Corridor Mode", draw a polyline along the path, and adjust the
"Corridor Width" slider (e.g., 50 meters). The app generates flight lines along the route.
Best for: Building facades, cell towers, cliffs, walls.
How to use: Select "Facade Mode" and draw a line along the base of the
structure.
The drone will fly parallel to this line, scanning vertically in a zigzag pattern. You can set Min/Max
Altitude and Distance to Object.
Best for: 360° inspection of vertical assets (telecom towers, smokestacks).
How to use: Select "Helix", click the tower center on the map. Adjust
Radius, Vertical Step (distance between loops), and
Altitudes. The drone flies a continuous spiral path.
Best for: Towers, statues, single points of interest.
How to use: Select "Orbit Mode". Use the Draw Marker button on the map
toolbar to click the center point (POI).
Adjust the Radius and Altitude in the sidebar. The drone will fly a
perfect circle while facing the center point.
Best for: Virtual tours, skyboxes, immersive environment captures.
How to use: Select "Panorama Mode". Use the Draw Marker button on the map
to set the panorama center.
The app generates a spherical grid of waypoints (multiple rows at different pitch angles) to capture a full
360° view.
Best for: Organizing missions by project or site.
How to use: When saving a template, enter a Folder Name (e.g., "Site A").
Your missions will be grouped by folder in the "Saved Templates" dropdown for easy access.
If you have a boundary from Google Earth or GIS software, click "Import KML/KMZ". You can select a polygon to use as your survey area or keep it as a visual reference.
Correctly configuring these parameters is vital for image quality. Lower GSD means higher resolution but covers less ground area per photo.
| Quality Level | Resolution | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra | 1 - 2 cm/px | Inspection, Cracks, 3D Models |
| Standard | 2 - 5 cm/px | General Mapping, Construction |
| Low | 5 - 10+ cm/px | Large Agriculture, Rapid Survey |
When enabled, the mission adjusts waypoints to maintain a constant height Above Ground Level (AGL). This
uses 90m resolution DEM data from Open-Meteo. Essential for hilly terrain to ensure consistent GSD.
(Requires internet).
Elevation Profile: An interactive chart will appear at the bottom showing the terrain
profile and drone flight path.
Adjusts how the drone turns at waypoints (Litchi export only).
0.0 = Sharp 90° turns (drone stops at each corner).
0.5 - 1.0 = Smooth curved turns (continuous flight). Higher values create wider arcs.
Generates a second set of flight lines perpendicular to the first. Enable this for 3D modeling of buildings or complex structures to capture all sides. Recommended: Set Gimbal Pitch to -60 or -70 degrees (Oblique).
You can customize individual waypoints for specific tasks:
The app automatically saves your work locally to your browser. If you accidentally close the tab, your current mission parameters and waypoints will be restored instantly upon return.
Save your complex mission configurations for reuse.
Before exporting, always run a simulation:
| Format | Instructions |
| Litchi (CSV) | For DJI Mini, Air, Mavic series. 1. Download CSV. 2. Go to Flight Hub. 3. Missions > Import. 4. Open Litchi app on phone and sync. |
| DJI Pilot 2 (KMZ) |
For Enterprise (Mavic 3E, M30, M300/350).
1. Download KMZ.
2. Copy file to RC controller storage: /DJI/mission/.
3. Open Pilot 2 app > Mission Flight > Import.
|
| ArduPilot | For Custom Drones / QGroundControl. 1. Download .waypoints file. 2. Open Mission Planner / QGC. 3. Plan > Load File. |
After capturing your images, you need Photogrammetry Software to stitch them into maps or 3D models.
Best free option. Run it locally on your PC or server. Great for orthomosaics.
Industry standard for survey-grade accuracy. Paid license.
Excellent for complex 3D structures and texture quality.
Fastest processing engine, ideal for large detailed 3D models.
For: Surveyors, Civil Engineers, Government Bodies.
For: Students, Researchers, Lecturers.
This application runs client-side logic. Your mission plans, polygons, and waypoints are processed locally in your browser. We do not store your flight missions on our servers. Ideal for sensitive infrastructure projects.
Your mission file is ready. If DroneGrid saved you time, consider supporting development or sharing with fellow pilots!
Support development:
Share DroneGrid with your network:
Choose a polygon from imported KML to use as survey area:
Enter a name for your mission template:
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Waypoint #1 at 0.000, 0.000