goFARM Animation & Farm scan
Multiple uses of an aerial survey
XM2 EARTH worked with goFARM - An Australian agricultural business leading transformational investment opportunities to develop investment-grade agricultural assets linked to the growing global demand for healthy, nutritious crops.
Our team was commissioned to conduct an aerial survey (photogrammetry) and produce a video for their customer base outlining the steps taken by goFARM in transforming previously underutilized/undercapitalized assets into investment-grade agricultural plant-based production, including horticultural + annual cropping.
In doing this, our team trusted in our combination of skills in cinemaphotography as shown at XM2, and our deep reach into industrial solutions.
Precise Farm Scanning
RGB scan of the property in comparison to google maps
The proposed solution was to bring survey-grade aerial precision to map the current farm before goFARM begins the transformational process to a high-value horticultural farm.
Detailed side by side comparison of satellite imagery vs drone
An XM2 mapped the property using the DJI Phantom 4 RTK with an RTK ground station with several survey points. The total images accounted for over 4,500. The Orthomosaic Resolution was 2.1 cm/px over a total of 288 hectares. The capture process was within 6 hours which enabled the XM2 member to capture video content within the same working day for golden hour.
A typical farming scan typically only requires vertical top-down shots but due to the secondary application of animation, it was also required to shoot oblique. Therefore adding to our time of scanning and image capture.
Overall, The collection of the 3D digital twin using aerial mapping gave important information in regards to a better understanding of the land management properties and essential imagery for the animation. Including, making precise measurements, making volumetric measurements, and a better understanding of the health of the ground conditions from an aerial perspective.
3D model collected from goFARM’s in-progress almond farm
3D model of an empty dam as an asset needed for the animation
From the RGB sensor, it can therefore showcase plant heath indexes.
Each triangle showcases each of the images the drone captured over the
Video Production
Aerial still image of newly planted Almond farm
The video production team was small and versatile capable of covering many topics and landscapes. The team consisted of two videographers and one production assistant. The team was given a total of 2 days of filming over different time periods.
Included in our video production was a ground camera crew using the Sony A7siii series and the DJI Inspire X7 kit. Using a small kit gave us the capability of capturing more of the process within short time periods.
The goFARM team was given a tour through the multiple stages of how they utilize an underresourced farm into a productive and sustainable horticultural farm.
Our journey began at a recently purchased farm which was to undergo a major change with land works, the removal of cattle infrastructure, and soil testing. Our team watched as the soil was being aerated with massive machines.
goFARM harvest of irrigated canola farm
Our team was taken to a mix of irrigated and rainfed row cropping including corn, barley, wheat, canola, and faba bean production. The irrigated crop aided in the land recovery, ensuring the soil is sufficient in having enough nutrients for it to sustain either almonds and/or citrus. We saw large machinery efficiently digging in long underground lines of irritated piping
After, our team was shown to a newly planted almond farm - only 4 months planted. From this, we were able to gain a greater understanding of the entire process of how goFARM operates. For an entire day, our team observed the farms at different points across the entire process, giving us the footage and necessary information needed to bring together a video piece able to better demonstrate the process.
We appreciate the goFARM team in providing us insight into how their company operates such as their extensive operation in bringing together all the agricultural and business knowledge in building a large portfolio of diverse horticultural farms.
Animation
After the survey scan and video production, an XM2 team member transformed the raw imagery into an orthomosaic and 3D model to be used for animation. From the captured 4,500 photos, our team encountered the difficulty of too much resolution, therefore, creating both computational and web-based issues. However, this was quickly resolved by downsizing the pixels of the model for it to be used in Unreel Engine.
Our team then passed the asset information and development plan to KASA Digital (A digital solutions company). Equipped with the 3D model and other 3d model assets, KASA Digital was able to create a beautiful array of transiting shots of the Sandmount farm from its current stage to 5 years into the future. This was undergone by using the textures, 3D models, and artistry of KASA digital creators.
Now, we can see visually how the farm will look in the next 5 years.
KASA Digital Animation of blossuming Almond farm