Overview

DJI Terra is DJI’s professional desktop processing software used to turn raw drone data into usable outputs such as orthomosaics, 3D models, point clouds, measurements, and inspection deliverables. It is most commonly used alongside enterprise platforms such as:

Mavic 3 Enterprise series (M3E, M3T, M3M)
Matrice 30 / M30T
Matrice 300 RTK / Matrice 350 RTK
Matrice 4 Series
Matrice 400
Zenmuse P1
Zenmuse L1 / L2 / L3
DJI Dock workflows

If customers are flying for surveying, mapping, inspection, modelling, or measurement, DJI Terra is usually a key part of the workflow.

What DJI Terra Is Used For

DJI Terra allows users to:

Generate 2D orthomosaic maps
Build 3D models (mesh and textured models)
Create LiDAR point clouds (L1, L2, L3)
Perform distance, area, and volume measurements
Process RTK/PPK-supported datasets
Run mission reprocessing for consistent outputs
Produce professional deliverables for clients

In simple terms:

The drone captures the data. DJI Terra turns it into usable results.

Core Processing Functions

2D Reconstruction

Used for:

Mapping sites
Orthophotos
Planning and measurement
Area calculations

Outputs include:

Orthomosaic (GeoTIFF, etc.)
Digital Surface Model (DSM)
Digital Terrain Model (DTM – where supported)

3D Reconstruction

Used for:

Buildings
Stockpiles
Structures
Construction sites
Digital twins

Outputs include:

Textured 3D mesh
Point cloud
Elevation models

LiDAR Processing (Zenmuse L1, L2, L3)

DJI Terra is essential for LiDAR workflows.

Supports:

Raw LiDAR data processing
Trajectory optimisation
Noise filtering
Ground classification
Point cloud export
Accuracy reports

For Zenmuse L2 and L3, DJI states that LiDAR point cloud processing functions are included without extra Terra licence cost, making Terra effectively mandatory for these payloads.

DJI Terra Versions and Licensing

DJI Terra is available in multiple versions, which is where a lot of confusion occurs.

DJI Terra Free (Viewer / Limited)

View and manage projects
Limited processing functionality
Suitable mainly for evaluation and viewing outputs

DJI Terra Pro

This is the version most professional users need.

Includes:

Full 2D and 3D reconstruction
Measurement tools
RTK workflows
GCP workflows
Photogrammetry processing
Export of professional deliverables

Used by:

Surveyors
Construction firms
Engineers
Inspectors
Mapping professionals

DJI Terra Electricity

Specialist version aimed at power line inspection workflows.

Includes:

Power line point cloud classification
Automatic feature extraction
Corridor-specific tools

Used mainly by:

Utilities
Power companies
Specialist inspection providers

Most Coptrz customers use Terra Pro, not Electricity.

How Terra Fits Into a Typical Workflow

A typical professional workflow looks like:

Fly mission using DJI Pilot 2 / mapping app
Export flight data from controller or SD card
Import data into DJI Terra
Select processing type (2D, 3D, LiDAR, etc.)
Adjust processing parameters
Run processing
Review accuracy report and outputs
Export deliverables to client or CAD/GIS software

DJI Terra is therefore the bridge between flight and final deliverable.

RTK, PPK, and GCP Support

DJI Terra supports professional accuracy workflows including:

RTK workflows (when RTK FIX achieved during flight)
GCP workflows (Ground Control Points)
PPK workflows (with supported aircraft and external processing inputs)
Accuracy reports for validation

However, Terra cannot fix:

Motion blur
Poor overlap
Bad lighting
Poor mission planning

Good capture is still essential.

Common Misconceptions About DJI Terra

These cause a lot of support queries:

“DJI Terra will fix bad data” → It won’t
“RTK guarantees perfect outputs” → Only if data capture is good
“Free version does everything” → It doesn’t
“Terra replaces all third-party software” → It depends on workflow
“All drones include Terra automatically” → They don’t

Understanding these limits avoids frustration.

When Customers Might Use Other Software Instead

Some users choose alternatives such as:

Pix4D
Agisoft Metashape
DroneDeploy
ContextCapture
RealityCapture

Common reasons:

Advanced photogrammetry features
Large-scale survey workflows
Existing company software stack
Specialist industry requirements

However, DJI Terra remains the native, most tightly integrated option for DJI enterprise hardware.

Common Terra-Related Issues We See

Terra licence not activated correctly
User installing Terra Free but expecting Pro features
PC hardware not powerful enough (RAM/GPU limitations)
Importing wrong file types
Incorrect coordinate system selected
Processing settings not matching capture settings
Expecting Terra to fix poor capture quality

A large percentage of “Terra problems” are actually workflow problems.

Hardware Considerations (Important for Performance)

DJI Terra is resource-intensive.

For smooth performance, users generally need:

A modern multi-core CPU
Dedicated GPU (NVIDIA recommended)
32–64 GB RAM for larger projects
Fast SSD storage
Plenty of free disk space

Underpowered laptops are a very common cause of slow processing and crashes.

Top 10 FAQs

What is DJI Terra actually used for?
It processes drone data into maps, models, point clouds, and professional outputs.
Do I need DJI Terra to fly my drone?
No. You only need Terra if you want to process mapping or LiDAR data.
Which version of Terra do I need?
Most professional users need DJI Terra Pro. Electricity is only for powerline workflows.
Is DJI Terra free?
There is a free version, but most useful processing features require a paid licence.
Does DJI Terra work with RTK?
Yes. It supports RTK workflows and uses RTK data to improve output accuracy.
Can Terra process LiDAR data?
Yes. Terra is essential for Zenmuse L1, L2, and L3 processing.
Can DJI Terra fix poor data capture?
No. If data quality is poor, Terra cannot compensate for it.
Why is Terra running very slowly on my computer?
Most often due to insufficient RAM, weak CPU, or lack of a dedicated GPU.
Can I use third-party software instead of Terra?
Yes. Many professionals use alternatives, but Terra offers the tightest DJI integration.
Is Terra included with my drone purchase?
Sometimes. Some bundles include Terra licences, but many require separate purchase.