# Smart Grid & 3D Terrain-Based Mission Planning Tool for Litchi **URL:** \ **Category:** Tools, Addons & Guides\ **Tags:** waypoint\ **Created:** [May 7, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630 "2025-05-07T22:55:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/1 "2025-05-07T22:55:16Z")
**Hello everyone,** I’m currently developing a new web tool for generating **3D grid survey waypoint missions** , designed to work seamlessly with **Litchi** (for now). While it’s still in development, the tool is already functional, and I would love to gather feedback from interested users. ### **Key features include:** ✅ **Auto and Manual Grid Generation:** Automatically generate optimized waypoint grids based on your drone’s camera specifications (focal length, sensor size, etc.) to ensure the best coverage—or manually adjust the grid directly on the map. ✅ **Custom Elevation Data Support:** Import your own **Digital Elevation Model (DEM)** files (`.tiff` format, `EPSG:4326`) for custom terrain data, or rely on **OpenTopoData (free)** or the **Google Elevation API** as default sources. ✅ **3D Scene Preview:** A key feature is the integration with **Cesium** for **3D scene visualization**. You can load your own **3D assets** (photogrammetry meshes, point clouds, etc.) to preview your mission and ensure that waypoint paths avoid elevated obstacles. ✅ **Mission Saving & Management:** Save, manage, and reload your missions directly from your account, making it easy to refine and reuse flight plans over time. ✅ **Export & Integration:** Export waypoints to a **.csv file** ready for seamless integration into **Litchi**. The focus is on providing a **flexible, accurate** tool for drone survey planning, catering to both simple and complex missions. Although the tool already works well for basic survey missions—and I’m actively using it for my own projects—there are still a few bugs to iron out. However, I believe it’s ready for broader testing, and I would truly appreciate any feedback or suggestions. * * * ### **🚀 Upcoming features and plans:** 🔹 **Custom mission designs:** In the future, you’ll be able to design **free-form missions** , placing waypoints, curves (Bezier, etc.), and shapes directly in the **3D scene** , offering greater flexibility for **terrain-following missions** and **complex route planning**. 🔹 **Advanced waypoint editing:** Gain more control over **waypoint altitudes, speed settings, and camera actions** to adapt better to diverse surveying needs. 🔹 **Additional customization:** Enhanced export options for more file formats, and potential **integration with other flight planning tools** (Pix4D, DroneDeploy, DJI Pilot, QGroundControl, etc.). * * * ### **💡 Monetization & Beta Testing Offer** To **finance the development** and cover non-free services like the **Google Elevation API** , I’ve implemented a **credit-based system** , where you purchase credits to unlock zones for mission generation and export. However, to encourage early feedback, **all new users (“beta testers”) will receive 500 free credits upon registration** during the first **two months**. Once a zone is unlocked, it will be saved to your account, and you will be able to edit as many missions as you want. The tool uses a **secure Firebase authentication system** for registration. **By signing up now, you’ll receive free credits and be able to save and manage your missions for future use.** * * * If this sounds interesting, feel free to try it out and share your feedback! **Your input will directly shape future improvements and new features.** 🔗 **Try it here:** [https://www.dronage.fr](https://www.dronage.fr/) ---
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/2 "2025-05-12T21:35:19Z")
![DronAge2D](https://forum.flylitchi.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d6d8cf83c2ff8a32a763e4982a962e775d440210.jpeg) ![DronAge3D](https://forum.flylitchi.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/15141423651f80b3aae9293f70bd85df729efc01.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![DragonFly\_Aerials](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@DragonFly\_Aerials](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/DragonFly_Aerials)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 4:19am UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/3 "2025-05-13T04:19:25Z")
Is there a way to change it to imperial units? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Nolan](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Larry\_Nolan](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Larry_Nolan)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 10:48am UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/4 "2025-05-14T10:48:34Z")
HI Tzane, I tried to send a message through the support page on your website but it was returned. The message was: " Address not found Your message wasn’t delivered to **[support@dronage.fr](mailto:support@dronage.fr)** because the domain [dronage.fr](http://dronage.fr/) couldn’t be found. Check for typos or unnecessary spaces and try again." ---
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/5 "2025-05-15T17:46:45Z")
Not for now but it’s a great idea, I will implement this asap ---
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/6 "2025-05-15T17:49:22Z")
Hi Larry, the contact form isn’t working for now. I will fix it soon but in the mean time you can contact me here or by mail. (I am going t write you) ---
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/7 "2025-05-23T17:01:31Z")
Hi, I updated the website with imperial units. ---
**Author:** ![DragonFly\_Aerials](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@DragonFly\_Aerials](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/DragonFly_Aerials)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/8 "2025-05-23T19:23:11Z")
Thank you. I just went on an tried it and as soon as I dragged the slider to adjust it, it jumped back to meters. Another question for you, on the camera overlap I didn’t see the Mini 4 Pro. If I choose the Mini 3 Pro would I get the same results? ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Joe_Gates)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/9 "2025-05-28T22:48:11Z")
The web page and web app is in french. How to get in English please? ---
**Author:** ![singlebeam](https://forum.flylitchi.com/user_avatar/forum.flylitchi.com/singlebeam/32/4174_2.png) [@singlebeam](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/singlebeam)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/10 "2025-05-29T15:47:06Z")
![image](https://forum.flylitchi.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e8e5e744bdea5152b8537504a1fe555f2aba7ee7.png) ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Joe_Gates)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/11 "2025-05-29T18:11:05Z")
thank you!! Much appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Joe_Gates)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/12 "2025-05-29T19:51:56Z")
Is there a YouTube tutorial how to use this mission planner? I’ve tried to use it. I sent all the parameters which worked as expected. I drew the polygon of The area I want to cover It shows all of the camera captures as expected I unlocked the zone which I want But I seem unable to save the mission I don’t seem to be able to export it to CSV Any help here would be greatly appreciated I added 500 credits ---
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 11:16pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/13 "2025-05-29T23:16:54Z")
Hello, Thank you very much for signing up and for purchasing credits — it really helps me and motivates me to keep improving DronAge and adding new features. I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience you experienced. I recently added the ability to change the unit system, which caused some unexpected bugs. The CSV export feature was one of the things affected, but it’s now fixed. It seems that your mission wasn’t saved. If you used credits to calculate altitude using the Google Elevation API, some of that data may have been lost. If so, I’d be happy to refund those credits. As a thank you for your feedback — which is extremely helpful — I’ve also credited your account with 100 extra credits. I’m currently preparing a proper YouTube tutorial to showcase the application and its features more thoroughly. In the meantime, you can refer to the existing tutorial that covers the main functionalities. Thanks again for your support and patience! Best regards, TZane ---
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/14 "2025-05-29T23:20:04Z")
Hi thanks for the help ! ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Joe_Gates)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/15 "2025-05-29T23:37:29Z")
Sounds awesome i look forward to further testing and research You have made a great interface Just wonder if you might be adding cross grid in the future? Waffle top pattern instead of lawn mower pattern. 😂. Sorry for the wacky description Joe ---
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/16 "2025-05-29T23:44:28Z")
I’m glad you like the interface, and it’s great to hear you’re continuing to test it — your feedback is incredibly helpful. As for the cross-grid (waffle-style 😄) pattern, that’s actually a fantastic idea! This kind of coverage can definitely be useful in some situations, especially for improving area coverage or mesh quality. In the meantime, you can simulate a cross-grid by creating a second mission perpendicular to the first one. Just duplicate your current mission and adjust the orientation using the slider. I’ll keep you updated as soon as it’s in progress or released! Thanks again for your enthusiasm and suggestions! Talk soon, TZane ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Joe_Gates)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 11:58pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/17 "2025-05-29T23:58:20Z")
Thank you for confirming my gut feeling of running the copied mission at 90 degree heading change Will be trying a few simple missions soon Joe ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Joe_Gates)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 10:54am UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/18 "2025-05-30T10:54:02Z")
still cant save mission after set-up still cant export mission to csv not sure what I am doing wrong my video here: [https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mrnk1noyzTpAg4698](https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mrnk1noyzTpAg4698) ---
**Author:** ![Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Tzane](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Tzane)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/19 "2025-05-31T13:15:29Z")
Hi Joe, Thanks for the video — it really helped me identify the issue. The problem you’re encountering comes from a bug I hadn’t caught earlier: it happens when trying to save a mission **without a takeoff point defined**. The takeoff point is essential because it sets the reference altitude for the entire mission. I’ve now fixed this by blocking both **mission saving** and **altitude calculation** if no takeoff point has been set. This should prevent confusion and errors moving forward. Thanks again for your feedback — it’s helping make the app better for everyone! Let me know if you need help setting the takeoff point or testing the fix. As a thank you for your feedback — which is extremely helpful — I’ve also credited your account with 100 extra credits. Best regards, TZane ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Joe\_Gates](https://forum.flylitchi.com/u/Joe_Gates)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630/20 "2025-06-01T20:05:03Z")
How do you define the takeoff point? This makes perfect sense to me!! I was about to ask you where the altitude reference point is derived from. 😂 Thanks Again! [Next page](https://forum.flylitchi.com/t/smart-grid-3d-terrain-based-mission-planning-tool-for-litchi/23630.md?page=2)