Many academic and campus operations users are interested in creating reality maps of their campus infrastructure or study areas, such as modeling landscapes or urban environments. The ArcGIS Reality suite offers a complete set of tools to support these needs.
What is Reality Mapping
Reality mapping is the process of capturing imagery and sensor data from drones, crewed aircraft and satellites, and transforming it into accurate digital representations of the real-world.
What Is ArcGIS Reality Suite?
ArcGIS Reality Suite is a collection of photogrammetry software products designed to support reality capture workflows using drone, aerial, and satellite imagery. The suite enables users to process imagery into GIS‑ready outputs such as true orthomosaics, DSM, DTM, point clouds, and textured 3D meshes, including the photorealistic 3D with Gaussian splats—products which are great for visualization, analysis and decision making.
For education, ArcGIS Reality Suite offers an opportunity to bring advanced spatial workflows into teaching and learning environments without separating photogrammetry from GIS.
ArcGIS Reality suite of products:
- ArcGIS Drone2Map
- ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro
- ArcGIS Reality Studio
- Site Scan for ArcGIS
Licensing Updates and Inclusion in Education program
Esri will begin adding ArcGIS Reality suite licenses to the Education licensing program, with the exception of Site Scan for ArcGIS, as it is a SaaS product.
Licensing Changes
The release of ArcGIS Drone2Map 2026.1 will introduce a new add-on license, replacing the old licensing structure (Standard and Advanced), simplifying the offering. This new add-on license is called Reality Mapping which gives access to both ArcGIS Drone2Map (full capabilities) and ArcGIS Pro Reality Mapping.
Which Education License Programs include Reality Mapping?
The Reality Mapping add-on licenses will be included in
- Education Institution Agreement
- Academic Department License
- Administrative Use Department License
- ArcGIS for Schools
ArcGIS Reality Studio will be licensed as a standalone application, and will be included in the following Education Program licenses:
- Education Institution Agreement
- Academic Department License
- Administrative Use Department License
Check this link to Understand Esri Education Program Licensing and more info about Expanding Access to Reality Mapping in ArcGIS
IMPORTANT NOTES
- You will need an ArcGIS Online administrator to assign the Reality Mapping add-on license to the members of the organization.
- The new named user license of ArcGIS Drone2Map only works starting with ArcGIS Drone2Map 2026.1
- ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro extension only works starting with ArcGIS Pro ver. 3.7.
- ArcGIS Reality Studio licenses will be available in MyEsri Portal after your org ELA renewal.
- Site Scan for ArcGIS is a SaaS product that requires additional purchase. Education pricing is available.
- ArcGIS Flight is included in Professional Plus user type
- ArcGIS Drone2Map with Professional Plus user type, the 300 gigapixel limit for Drone2Map projects will no longer be present, allowing for the processing of large datasets without having to be split into sub-projects.
Products Key Features
ArcGIS Drone2Map
It is a desktop application that processes drone data into 2D and 3D outputs, such as true orthomosaics, DSM, DTM and 3Dmeshes.
Features:
- Designed with an easy-to-use graphical interface and templates, making it ideal for newcomers.
- Operates offline and is suitable for processing data in the field
- Offers a rapid mode for quicker results.
- Integrates seamlessly with ArcGIS Pro or allows publishing to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise.
- Well-suited for small, focused projects and those new users.
Learn What’s new in ArcGIS Drone2Map 2026.1
Try ArcGIS Drone2Map (tutorial series)
ArcGIS Drone2Map in Esri Academy
ArcGIS Drone2Map installation media can now be downloaded from ArcGIS Online (My Settings > Licenses)
ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro
It is an extension of ArcGIS Pro that that adds powerful reality mapping tools directly into ArcGIS Pro, enabling you to turn drone, aerial, and satellite imagery into accurate 2D maps and 3D representations of our world.
Features:
- Run photogrammetry workflows in ArcGIS Pro
- Process drone, aerial, satellite, and historical imagery
- Integrate reality-based products with vectors, rasters, and 3D scenes
- Seamless workflow from data creation to spatial analysis
- Advanced high-end photogrammetry capabilities
- Allow automated workflows with ModelBuilder and python API
- It works alongside geoprocessing and analysis tools in ArcGIS Pro
Tutorial: Create drone imagery products in ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro
ArcGIS Reality Studio
It is a powerful desktop app that turns large collections of aerial and drone imagery into highly accurate 2D and 3D outputs. It’s designed for mapping entire cities or regions.
Features:
- Desktop application tailored for reality mapping production by aerial survey and drone imagery providers
- Optimized for large-scale citywide and countrywide reality mapping initiatives
- Features automated processing workflows
- Supports distributed processing on-premise or in cloud infrastructure
- Outputs are compatible with the ArcGIS system and other third-party mapping platforms
Learn what’s new in ArcGIS Reality Studio
Scale your production with ArcGIS Reality Studio and cloud enabled workflows
Edit and refine ArcGIS Reality mapping outputs (ArcGIS Reality Studio)
Site Scan for ArcGIS
It is a cloud-based app that helps you plan drone flights, process the drone data to create 2D and 3D outputs, and store them in the cloud. All in one place.
Features:
- There’s no requirement for physical hardware to operate or store results.
- It has the most intuitive GUI and straightforward templates that are easy to learn and use.
- Data processing and output hosting are handled in the cloud.
- Access and collaborative work can be done from any location.
- You don’t have to wait for completion before starting other tasks.
- It is well-suited for team collaboration.
Learn What’s New in Site Scan for ArcGIS (May 2026)
Elevating Reality Mapping with Site Scan for ArcGIS
In addition to all the above ArcGIS Reality suite, there is ArcGIS Flight.
ArcGIS Flight
ArcGIS Flight is drone flight planning and data capture app. It is a mobile (iPad) app that works with ArcGIS Drone2Map or Site Scan for ArcGIS. ArcGIS Flight is included in ArcGIS Professional User Type.
Learn What’s New in ArcGIS Flight (May 2026)
Cleared for Takeoff: Introducing ArcGIS Flight
All ArcGIS Reality suite products are built on the same engine – Esri’s ArcGIS Reality Engine.
Feel free to contact me (ckurnia@esri.com) if you have questions or need assistance in using ArcGIS Reality for teaching, research or campus operation.
