Introduction

After an aerial map is published, it can be viewed in SkyMap mode in SiteView. SkyMap provides aerial perspectives generated from drone images, complementing 360° captures and BIM data to support project analysis and reporting.

Note:

• To use SkyMap in SiteView, the aerial map must first be published in the SkyMap Editor. For details, refer to the SkyMap Editor article.
• SiteViews created in Freeform Layout using SiteView Designer do not support SkyMap.

Access and Exit SkyMap Mode

• TheSkyMap icon appears at the bottom of the left menu if at least one aerial map is published. Click the icon to enter SkyMap mode.

• In SkyMap mode, a banner appears at the top. Click Return to Ground Capture on the left side of the banner to exit SkyMap mode and return to the 360° Tour.
• Collapse the SkyMap panel to hide it while keeping SkyMap active. To reopen it, click the SkyMap button in the middle of the sidebar.

How to Use SkyMap in SiteView

SkyMap Panel

• Drone Capture List – Displays all published aerial maps. Select a map from the list to show it in the viewer.
• Visibility Control – Toggle the visibility of available data types (Orthomosaic, DSM, Mesh, Point Cloud).

  • 2D Mode:
    

    

    • Orthomosaic – Adjust opacity.
    • DSM – Adjust opacity and elevation display.
  • 3D Mode:
    
    • Point Cloud / Mesh – Adjust rendering style and opacity.
    • Click More Options to open 3D Data Settings: Configure rendering style and performance options, and export the 3D aerial map.

Note:

• Only the data types published in the SkyMap Editor are available.
• Switch between 2D and 3D view modes from the top of the viewer.

• Ground Control Points - The list of processed GCPs is shown with an average RMS errors and individual RMS error distance for each GCP.

  

• 2D Flight Path - a flight path is shown in green on the aerial map with numbers that indicate flight progress in order.

  

Compare View

Combine SkyMap with BIM Compare or Timeline Compare for side-by-side analysis. (Supported in both 2D and 3D modes.)

• BIM Compare – Compare aerial maps with BIM models.

  

• Timeline Compare – Compare aerial maps from different capture dates.

  

• Change Compare Mode – Switch the compare mode at the center slidebar.
• Slidebar Control – Drag the center slidebar to adjust how much space each viewer occupies.

Note:

• BIM Compare is available when at least one BIM dataset has been published, and Timeline Compare is available when two or more aerial maps have been published. Holistic View is not supported.
• For more information on Compare View features, see the following articles:
  • BIM Compare View
  • Timeline Compare View
  • Change Compare Mode

Using SiteView Features with SkyMap

• Annotations – Add project notes directly on the aerial map.
• Measurements – Measure distances or areas from the aerial map using SiteView’s measurement tools.
• Bookmarks – Save specific SkyMap views for later access.

Note:

• Annotations, Measurements, and Bookmarks created in SkyMap are not shared with 360° captures in SiteView.
• For details on each feature, refer to the related articles:
  • Annotations
  • Measurements
  • Bookmarks

Overlay Reference Plan on the Aerial Map

You can overlay reference plans directly on the aerial map with colored plan lines for clearer visualization.

Note:

• The SkyMap mode does not include a floating Plan Viewer.
• You can overlay reference plans in both 2D Mode and 3D Mode.

1. Click theReference Plan icon in the top-right corner, then toggle plan visibility using theeye icons.

   Note:

   • Up to five plans can be displayed at once. 
   • When multiple plans are displayed without color filtering, they are stacked in the viewer according to their order in the list (bottom to top). Drag thehandle to reorder the plans in the list.

2. Click thepencil icon next to a plan name to apply color filtering, which displays only the plan lines with the background removed.

   Note:

   • You can adjust the opacity of each reference plan and the base plane height for 3D overlay viewing.
   • Click Reset to restore the default settings.

3. Click theOpacity icon to adjust the transparency of all reference plans at once.

Display Orthomosaic in the Plan Viewer

If an Orthomosaic is available in SkyMap, it is displayed by default in the floating Plan Viewer within 360° capture viewers, with the reference plan overlaid and the background removed.

Note:

• If multiple Orthomosaics are available from different capture dates, the most recent one is displayed.
• You can switch or turn off the aerial map within the floating Plan Viewer using theLayers menu.

Options

In the top-right corner of the viewer, options are available for both 2D and 3D modes.

Options in 2D mode

• North Orientation – Switch between True North and Project North for map alignment.
• Map View – Toggle betweenSatellite View andMap View.
• Zoom / Reset Zoom – Zoom in or out of the map, or reset the zoom level to default.

Options in 3D mode

• Perspective/Orthographic View – Switch between two types of 3D views:
  • Perspective: Mimics human eye perception, with objects appearing smaller as they are farther away.
  • Orthographic: Maintains parallel lines and uniform object size regardless of distance.
• Camera Preset – Instantly switch to preset views: Top, Bottom, Front, Back, Left, or Right.
• Reset Zoom – Resets the zoom level to the default setting.
• 3D Data Settings – Configure rendering style and performance options, and export the 3D aerial map.
• Clipping Tool
  • Adjust the visible area of the 3D aerial map along the Z-axis (top and bottom) using the clipping tool located on the right side.
  • Click theClipping Tool icon above the Z-axis control bar to open all Clipping Panels, including X, Y, and Z axes.