Boost ODM UX: Clearer Errors For Missing GPS Data

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Boost ODM UX: Clearer Errors for Missing GPS Data

Hey folks! 👋 Let's talk about making things smoother when you're working with OpenDroneMap (ODM). Specifically, we're going to dive into how to improve those pesky error messages you might encounter when uploading files. This is super important because it directly impacts how easy it is to use ODM and can save you a ton of headaches down the road. Let's get into it, shall we?

The Problem: Confusing Error Messages 😵‍💫

So, here's the deal: Sometimes, when you upload files to ODM, things don't go as planned. You might get an error message that looks something like this:

ODM processing failed with exit code 1
Images directory contains 0 image files: []

Now, at first glance, that might seem straightforward, right? "Zero image files" – no files found. But here's the kicker: That's often not the problem. In many cases, the files are there, and they are valid image files. The real issue? They're missing the GPS EXIF data that ODM needs to work its magic. This can lead to a lot of frustration and wasted time.

Think about it: You're staring at a directory full of TIFF files, knowing they exist, yet ODM is telling you it sees nothing. This is especially common when users upload pre-processed orthomosaics or tiles instead of the original drone images. The current error message doesn't give you a clue about what's really going on. It doesn't tell you the files are present but lack the essential GPS data.

This lack of clarity can cause users to spin their wheels. They might retry the upload multiple times, thinking they made a mistake, when the real problem lies elsewhere. This is what we call a UX (User Experience) problem and it is essential to solve.

The Impact: Wasted Time and Frustration 😩

So, why is this a big deal? Well, a confusing error message can have some real consequences:

  • User Confusion: Users are left scratching their heads, wondering why their files aren't being processed.
  • Wasted Support Time: Support teams end up spending valuable time investigating "missing file" issues that are often related to a lack of GPS data.
  • Repeated Uploads: Users might try the same upload multiple times, leading to more frustration.

As you can imagine, this can quickly become a significant problem, especially if you're dealing with a lot of datasets or a large user base.

The Root Cause: Misleading Error Logic 🔍

The heart of the problem is how ODM interprets "0 image files." In reality, it means "0 images with valid GPS EXIF data," not "0 files found." The current error logging doesn't make this distinction clear. It doesn't provide enough information to the user to understand why the files are being rejected. This is a critical area that requires improvement.

We need to bridge this gap to improve the user experience. This requires a more nuanced approach to error handling.

Proposed Solution: Smarter Error Messages 💡

The proposed solution involves modifying the process_odm.py file to provide more informative error messages. Here's a breakdown of the suggested changes:

First, after ODM fails with an error code (exit code 1 in this case), the code will check if image files exist in the directory. It will use a glob pattern to look for common image file extensions like .jpg, .jpeg, .tif, and .tiff. Then, it will check for the GPS EXIF data.

If files are found, but the necessary GPS EXIF data is missing, the code will raise a ValueError. This error message will provide much more context to the user.

Here is an example of the kind of improved error message that we want to implement:

raise ValueError(
    f"ODM rejected {len(image_files)} image files due to missing GPS EXIF metadata. "
    f"ODM requires raw drone images with GPS coordinates embedded in EXIF data. "
    f"Your files appear to be pre-processed tiles or orthomosaics. "
    f"\n\nTo upload pre-processed data: Use 'Upload GeoTIFF' instead of 'Upload Raw Images'."
    f"\nTo use ODM: Upload original drone photos from your flight (typically .JPG files with GPS)."
)

The new error message will:

  • Clearly state that the files were rejected because of missing GPS EXIF data.
  • Explain the difference between raw drone images and processed tiles.
  • Guide users to the correct upload method (GeoTIFF vs. Raw Images) based on their file type.

This level of detail will significantly reduce user confusion and save time.

Code Snippet Breakdown

Let's break down the key parts of the code:

  1. Check for Failure: The code starts by checking if ODM exited with an error code (odm_exit_code == 1).
  2. File Existence Check: It uses images_dir.glob('*.{jpg,jpeg,tif,tiff}') to find image files in the directory. This is a crucial step to confirm that files are present.
  3. GPS EXIF Check: The check_gps_exif_in_images(image_files) function (which isn't shown in the provided code, but is presumed to exist) checks if the found images have the required GPS EXIF data.
  4. Informative Error Message: If files are found but GPS data is missing, the ValueError is raised. This is where the magic happens, with a message that provides a helpful explanation and guidance.

This approach is a significant improvement over the generic "0 image files" message.

Acceptance Criteria: How We'll Know It Works ✅

To make sure this solution works, we need to define some acceptance criteria. This will help us test the changes and confirm they are effective.

  • Clear Error Message: The error message should clearly state that the files were rejected because of missing GPS EXIF data.
  • Explain the Difference: The message should explain the difference between raw drone images and processed tiles.
  • Guide Users: The message should guide users to the correct upload method (GeoTIFF vs. Raw Images).
  • Test with Pre-processed Tiles: We need to test the changes with pre-processed tiles to ensure the new error message is displayed.
  • Test with Raw Drone Images: We also need to test with raw drone images to confirm that the processing still works as expected.

By following these steps, we can ensure the changes not only address the problem but also provide a better user experience.

Related Issues and Datasets 🔗

This change is also related to a front-end validation issue. A robust front-end validation system would help prevent this problem in the first place by checking for the necessary GPS EXIF data before the upload even begins. This provides the first line of defense against the issue. The datasets (6226, 6227, 6228, 6258) are examples of the problem.

Priority: Medium 🚦

This issue is considered a "Medium" priority. While a workaround exists (user support can explain the issue), improving the user experience is still important. By providing clear and informative error messages, we can significantly reduce the support load and improve overall user satisfaction.

In essence, we are making a big step to make the entire process user-friendly.

By improving the error messages, we can:

  • Reduce Confusion: Users will immediately understand why their files aren't being processed.
  • Improve Efficiency: Fewer support tickets will be created, saving time and resources.
  • Boost User Satisfaction: Users will have a better experience using ODM.

This improvement will lead to a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for everyone involved. I hope this helps you guys!