Getting Started with Raad

Overview

Raad connects you with professional drone pilots to collect aerial imagery and data for your sites. Whether you need orthomosaic maps, 3D models, thermal imaging, or time-series data, our platform handles the entire workflow from request to delivery.

The typical workflow looks like this:

1. Create Sites — Define the physical locations where you need data collected
2. Define Areas — Upload KML/KMZ files to specify exact coverage areas
3. Specify Requirements — Choose the type of visual data you need
4. Accept Quote — Review and approve the pricing for your campaign
5. Track Progress — Monitor mission status in real-time
6. Access Assets — Download processed data and share with your team

Creating Sites

Sites represent the physical locations where you need drone data collection. Each site can have multiple campaigns over time, making it easy to track historical data and schedule recurring flights.

To create a new site:

1. Navigate to Sites in the main navigation
2. Click Create to start a new site
3. Enter the site name and address information
4. The map will automatically center on your location

Defining Mission Areas

After creating a site, you'll need to define the specific area(s) where you want data collected. The most accurate way to do this is by uploading a KML or KMZ file that outlines your coverage area.

Uploading KML/KMZ Files

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files define geographic boundaries that pilots will use to plan their flight paths. You can create these files using:

• Google Earth Pro — Draw polygons and export as KML
• QGIS — Export layers as KML format
• ArcGIS — Use the KML export tool
• Online tools — Sites like geojson.io can export to KML

To upload your area file:

1. Open your campaign or site
2. Drag and drop your KML/KMZ file onto the map area
3. The boundary will appear on the map for verification
4. Adjust if needed before confirming

Specifying Data Requirements

Different projects require different types of aerial data. When creating a campaign, you'll specify exactly what you need:

Common Data Types

Data Type	Description	Use Cases
Orthomosaic	Georeferenced 2D map stitched from overlapping photos	Surveying, progress tracking, measurements
3D Model	Textured mesh or point cloud of the site	Volumetric analysis, visualization, BIM integration
Thermal Imagery	Infrared data showing heat signatures	Solar panel inspection, building diagnostics, agriculture
Video	High-resolution aerial video footage	Marketing, documentation, inspections
Raw Images	Original high-resolution photos with EXIF data	Custom processing, archival, detailed inspection

Resolution & Quality Settings

You can specify the Ground Sample Distance (GSD) for your imagery. Lower GSD values mean higher resolution but require more flight time:

• 1 cm/px — Ultra-high detail for inspections
• 2-3 cm/px — Standard for construction and surveying
• 5+ cm/px — Suitable for large area mapping

Pricing & Accepting Quotes

Once you've defined your site, area, and data requirements, Raad will generate a quote based on several factors:

• Coverage area size (acres/hectares)
• Required resolution (GSD)
• Data processing requirements
• Location and pilot availability
• Any special requirements (RTK, specific equipment)

Review the quote details and click Accept to confirm your campaign. Your campaign will then be assigned to a qualified pilot in your area.

Understanding Campaign Status

Campaigns progress through several stages from creation to completion:

Real-Time Tracking

The campaign view provides real-time visibility into your data collection:

• Live map updates — See coverage progress as the pilot flies
• Photo count — Track the number of images captured
• Completion percentage — Visual progress indicator
• Pilot communication — Direct messaging with your assigned pilot

Recurring Data Collection

For ongoing monitoring needs, you can set up recurring campaigns that automatically schedule flights at regular intervals:

• Weekly — Ideal for active construction sites
• Monthly — Good for progress documentation
• Quarterly — Suitable for asset inspections
• Custom — Define your own schedule

Recurring campaigns maintain consistent settings across all flights, making it easy to compare time-series data and track changes over time.

Accessing Processed Assets

Once your campaign is complete, processed assets are available in multiple formats:

Available Formats

• GeoTIFF — Georeferenced orthomosaic for GIS software
• OBJ/FBX — 3D models for CAD and visualization
• LAS/LAZ — Point cloud data
• PDF Reports — Summary reports with measurements
• Original Images — Full-resolution source photos

Online Viewer

View your orthomosaics and 3D models directly in the browser without downloading. The viewer supports:

• Pan, zoom, and rotate navigation
• Measurement tools (distance, area, volume)
• Annotation and markup
• Side-by-side comparison of time-series data

Sharing & Collaboration

Share your processed assets with team members, stakeholders, or external partners:

• Team access — Invite colleagues to your account
• Share links — Generate public or password-protected links
• Embed — Embed viewers in your own websites or reports
• API access — Programmatic access for integrations

Exporting Data

Download all image assets from a coverage group or site as a zip file:

1. Navigate to your campaign or site
2. Select the coverage group you want
3. Click Download

Integrations & Pipelines

Raad's pipeline system lets you automate what happens with your data after collection:

Available Integrations

• Cloud Storage — Auto-sync to AWS S3, Google Cloud, or Azure
• Project Management — Push updates to Procore, PlanGrid, or Autodesk
• GIS Platforms — Direct integration with Esri ArcGIS
• Custom Webhooks — Send data to any HTTP endpoint

Creating a Pipeline

1. Go to Settings → Pipelines
2. Click Create Pipeline
3. Choose a trigger (e.g., "Campaign Completed")
4. Add actions (e.g., "Upload to S3", "Send Webhook")
5. Configure action settings and save

Pipelines run automatically whenever their trigger conditions are met, ensuring your data flows seamlessly into your existing workflows.

Developer Resources

For programmatic access to Raad's capabilities, check out our developer documentation:

• API Reference — Complete REST API documentation
• Authentication — How to authenticate API requests
• Webhooks — Real-time event notifications