About Metainfo Mapper
A privacy-first, client-side tool for visualizing drone imagery GPS metadata without ever uploading photos to a server.
What It Does
Metainfo Mapper is a web application designed specifically for drone pilots and aerial photographers who need to visualize GPS metadata from their imagery. The tool extracts location data directly from JPG, TIFF, PNG, and RAW image files in your browser and plots them on an interactive map.
Key Features
- Plot geotagged imagery and flight paths instantly in your browser
- RTK Analysis - Optional high-precision GPS analysis for RTK-capable drones with color-coded markers and detailed statistics
- Export clean KML files ready for Google Earth, Google My Maps, or GIS tools
- RTK Reports - Generate detailed HTML reports with RTK field breakdowns and analysis
- Spot GPS gaps quickly so you can troubleshoot metadata issues
- 100% client-side processing - no data leaves your device
- Optional Mapbox integration for satellite imagery backgrounds
- Dark/light theme support with persistent preferences
- Session management - save and load previous KML sessions
Privacy & Security
Metainfo Mapper is built with privacy as the core principle. Your data never leaves your device, ensuring complete confidentiality of your aerial imagery.
🔒 Complete Privacy Guarantee
- No uploads: Images are processed entirely in your browser
- No server storage: No images or metadata are stored on any server
- No tracking: No analytics, logging, or data collection
- Local processing: All EXIF parsing happens client-side using open-source libraries
- Memory-only: Data exists only in browser memory until you close the tab
Mapbox Token Privacy & Optimization
When using the optional Mapbox satellite imagery feature, your privacy is fully protected and the system is optimized for efficiency:
- Token storage: Mapbox tokens are stored only in your browser's localStorage
- No server upload: The token is never uploaded to our server
- Direct API calls: The token is only passed directly to Mapbox's API from your browser
- Secure communication: All communication with Mapbox uses HTTPS encryption
- API optimization: Restricted zoom levels (15-18) and ~2,000 foot buffer around flight area to minimize API calls
- Cost efficiency: Smart viewport clamping reduces unnecessary tile requests and keeps usage costs low
- Optional feature: The app works perfectly without any Mapbox token using a blank canvas
How It Works
Metainfo Mapper uses modern web technologies to process your drone imagery entirely in the browser:
EXIF Parsing
Uses the exifr library to extract GPS coordinates, altitude, timestamps, and camera metadata from JPG, TIFF, PNG, and RAW image files
Interactive Mapping
Powered by Leaflet.js for smooth map interactions, marker plotting, and flight path visualization
File Processing
Handles JPG, TIFF, PNG, and RAW formats (DNG, CR2, NEF, ARW, ORF, RW2, PEF, SRW) with drag-and-drop or folder selection
KML Generation
Creates standard KML files compatible with Google Earth, My Maps, and GIS applications
RTK Analysis Feature
Metainfo Mapper includes advanced Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS analysis capabilities for high-precision drone operations:
RTK Capabilities
- Optional Processing: Enable RTK analysis via checkbox - disabled by default to avoid processing overhead
- Visual Indicators: Color-coded markers show RTK status (Green = RTK Fixed, Red = RTK Single/No RTK)
- Enhanced Statistics: Track RTK Fixed, Float, and Single counts plus mean correction age
- Data Extraction: Extracts 7 RTK data fields including RtkFlag, standard deviations, and differential age
- Export Integration: All RTK fields embedded in KML exports for comprehensive analysis
- HTML Reports: Generate detailed RTK analysis reports with field breakdowns
- Compatible Equipment: Works with DJI Phantom 4 RTK, Matrice 300 RTK, Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced, and other RTK-capable drones
RTK Data Fields
The system extracts the following RTK metadata fields:
- RtkFlag: RTK status indicator
- RtkStdLon/RtkStdLat/RtkStdHgt: Standard deviation measurements for longitude, latitude, and height
- RtkDiffAge: Differential age in milliseconds
- GPSProcessingMethod: Processing method used
- Accuracy measurements: Horizontal and vertical accuracy data
Use Cases
Metainfo Mapper is perfect for:
- Drone pilots who need to visualize flight paths and image locations
- Aerial photographers who want to create maps of their photo locations
- Survey professionals who need to verify GPS metadata accuracy
- GIS users who want to quickly convert drone imagery to mappable data
- Privacy-conscious users who need mapping tools without data uploads
- Field workers who need offline-capable mapping solutions
Development Status
⚠️ Active Development: This project is still in active development and bugs may occur. We're continuously improving the tool based on user feedback and adding new features.
Current version: 1.7.0
Last updated: October 7, 2025
About the Creator
Maine Sky Pixels LLC
Metainfo Mapper is an open-source side project built by a Maine-based drone pilot who understands the unique needs of aerial photography workflows. The tool was created to solve the common problem of visualizing GPS metadata from drone imagery while maintaining complete privacy.
Contact & Support
Open Source
Metainfo Mapper is released under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0, making it free to use, modify, and distribute for personal, educational, or non-commercial projects.
⚠️ Commercial Use Notice: Commercial use, resale, or hosting this app behind a paywall requires explicit written permission from Maine Sky Pixels LLC. Please contact us at info@maineskypixels.com for commercial licensing inquiries.
Contributing
We welcome contributions! Whether it's bug reports, feature requests, or code improvements, your input helps make Metainfo Mapper better for everyone. Visit our GitHub repository to get involved.
License Details
For complete license terms and conditions, please see the LICENSE file in our GitHub repository.