If you've bought a DJI Manifold 3, you've probably hit the same wall we did. The official documentation barely covers real-world operation, and the third-party app ecosystem DJI's marketing implies doesn't actually exist publicly. These three video tutorials walk through the workflow we built from scratch: installing the hardware and software, capturing horizontally for smart 3D models, and capturing vertically for top-down 3D maps.
The videos are designed to be watched in order. Skip ahead if you've already completed an earlier step.
Before the Manifold 3 can do anything, the hardware needs to be mounted to the aircraft and the software loaded. This walkthrough covers the full install: physical mounting, power and data connections, and getting the operating system and drivers in place. Plan on uninterrupted time for the first install. A few steps require things to be done in a specific order.
Once the Manifold 3 is installed, the most common commercial workflow is horizontal capture. This is the pattern for building exteriors, towers, industrial structures, or anywhere you need full coverage of a subject from multiple angles. The video covers mission planning, the capture itself, and getting clean data that your photogrammetry software can actually process.
Vertical capture (top-down flight) is the standard pattern for mapping land, large sites, or anywhere a horizontal pattern doesn't make sense. This is the workflow DJI's documentation explains the least, which is why it's the most common entry point for operators searching for help. Full start-to-finish here, including the mission setup decisions that aren't obvious from the manuals.
Still researching before buying? Read our full DJI Manifold 3 review for the commercial operator perspective on performance, value, and where the documentation gaps still are.