> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.auterion.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.auterion.com/~/changes/TDRfjBXXgHmxK48cWqay/vehicle-operation/auterion-mission-control/plan/plan-ui-overview/plan-tools/survey-patterns.md).

# Survey Patterns

Different patterns can be used to insert surveys and scans into a mission plan. Patterns provide a much easier and more flexible approach for defining a survey/scan than manually specifying a flight path and camera triggering using individual waypoints.

{% hint style="info" %}
Surveys/scans provide a simpler and more flexible way to define a survey over an arbitrary region than manually adding waypoints.
{% endhint %}

The tools are accessed from the [Plan Toolbar](/~/changes/TDRfjBXXgHmxK48cWqay/vehicle-operation/auterion-mission-control/plan/plan-ui-overview/plan-tools.md) as shown.

![](https://3329189600-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFW1Ge1p1f6WHyiYCb146%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-84746f0bb651a3e8c44d31e33fa7d828e9be35a5%2FScreenshot%202023-10-08%20at%2013.50.24.png?alt=media)

After an option is selected, a basic pattern of the selected type is added to the map and to the mission editor. This can be edited to the desired shape:

| **Pattern**                                                                                                                                                         | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [**Survey**](/~/changes/TDRfjBXXgHmxK48cWqay/vehicle-operation/auterion-mission-control/plan/plan-ui-overview/plan-tools/survey-patterns/survey.md)                 | A survey pattern that captures an arbitrarily complex polygonal region. This allows you to specify the polygon, grid and camera settings appropriate for creating geotagged images.                                                                             |
| [**Corridor Scan**](/~/changes/TDRfjBXXgHmxK48cWqay/vehicle-operation/auterion-mission-control/plan/plan-ui-overview/plan-tools/survey-patterns/corridor-scan.md)   | A survey pattern that follows a poly-line (for example, to survey a road).                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| [**Structure Scan**](/~/changes/TDRfjBXXgHmxK48cWqay/vehicle-operation/auterion-mission-control/plan/plan-ui-overview/plan-tools/survey-patterns/structure-scan.md) | <p>A survey pattern that captures images over vertical surfaces (polygonal or circular). Typically used for the visual inspection or creation of 3D models of structures.</p><p>Not available for fixed-wing vehicles (i.e. any vehicle that cannot hover).</p> |