Mapping Basics
A starting point for South Texas ranchers, landowners, and contractors who want the nerdy details of drone mapping explained in plain English.
This section pulls together all the deep-dive mapping articles in one place. If you're trying to figure out what an orthomosaic really is, how accurate contour lines from a drone can be, or whether RTK and proper flight planning are worth paying for, start here. Every article is written with real South Texas work in mind - ranches between Kingsville and the Valley, subdivision work outside town, and dirt jobs where the decisions actually cost money.
You don't have to learn photogrammetry math to get value out of this. The goal is simple: give you enough technical understanding that when you hire a drone operator, talk to a surveyor, or sit down with a lender or buyer, you know what you're looking at and what to ask for.
Articles on Mapping Basics
What Is an Orthomosaic Map?
Plain-English walkthrough of what an orthomosaic actually is, how it's flown and processed, and how South Texas ranchers, agents, and contractors use it as a decision-making tool instead of just a pretty picture.
Drone Topographic Contours vs. Traditional Survey
Where drone-derived contour maps shine, where they fall short of a boundary survey, and how to use them for grading, drainage, and site planning without fooling yourself.
RTK Drone Mapping Explained
A straight answer on what RTK actually does, how it changes accuracy in the real world, and when it's worth paying for on ranch, subdivision, or construction work.
Drone Mapping Pricing in South Texas
How pricing really works for drone mapping jobs in South Texas: what drives cost up or down, what "too cheap" usually means, and how to compare quotes without getting buried in jargon.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you're completely new to drone mapping, start with What Is an Orthomosaic Map? and then jump into contours and RTK once you can visualize what the drone is actually producing. If you're already comfortable with maps and just need to sanity-check budgets, go straight to the pricing article.