AO DRONES

The art of creating portraits in the sky with entertainment drones

Portraits require a high resolution and attention to detail, which results from the number of drones and their arrangement. It is important to ensure that the design is created in such a way that it is clearly recognisable from the intended viewer’s perspective.
Each light of a drone corresponds to a pixel, so the number of drones influences the level of detail. The flight paths of the drones must be programmed with millimetre precision in order to depict the portrait exactly. To avoid the risk of collision without impairing the image quality sufficient distance must be maintained. The multi-coloured LEDs enable differentiated colour gradients and more realistic portraits.

Ultimately, a portrait should not only be recognisable, but also expressive and impressive. A more realistic result can be achieved with 3D techniques and layering. With the right combination of technology, creativity and planning, the portrait in the sky becomes a real highlight!

Die Kunst, mit Unterhaltungs-Drohnen Portraits in den Himmel zu zaubern

Portraits erfordern eine hohe Auflösung und Detailtreue, die sich durch die Anzahl der Drohnen und ihre Anordnung ergibt. Dabei muss beachtet werden, das das Design so erstellt wird, dass es aus der vorgesehenen Zuschauerperspektive klar erkennbar ist.
Jedes Licht einer Drohne entspricht dabei einem Pixel, daher beeinflusst die Anzahl der Drohnen die Detailgenauigkeit. Die Flugwege der Drohnen müssen millimetergenau programmiert werden, um das Portrait exakt abzubilden. Dabei ist auf genügend Abstand zu achten, um Kollisionsgefahren zu vermeiden, ohne die Bildqualität zu beeinträchtigen. Die mehrfarbigen LEDs ermöglichen differenzierte Farbverläufe und realistischere Portraits.

Letztendlich sollte ein Portrait nicht nur erkennbar, sondern auch ausdrucksstark und beeindruckend sein. Dabei lässt sich mit 3D-Techniken und Schichtung ein realistischeres Ergebnis erzielen. Mit der richtigen Kombination aus Technologie, Kreativität und Planung wird das Portrait im Himmel zu einem echten Highlight!

Style of design formation

Realising portraits in such a way that the pictured people agree with them is a challenging process. It requires a very precise and reliable drone system to avoid black holes ( e.g. a smile with teeth).

We realised the 3D portrait of the Emir of Kuwait (big picture) with approx. 2000 drones during the National Day and Liberation Day celebrations at Kuwait Green Island.

And for the 3D portrait of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud we used approx. 2000 LED drones (first small picture) during the closing celebrations of Riyadh Season 2021 and approx. 3000 LED drones during the opening celebrations for the Riyadh Season 2022-23 (second small picture).

Sightlines of the audience

In a three-dimensional space, each pixel (one drone = 1 pixel) appears differently from various angles, making this a unique profession.

This portrait of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the Dubai World Cup Closing Ceremony 2024 was created with approx. 3000 LED drones.

Minimal sytle: Outline

For the two-dimensional representation, we draw the outline of a face with drones. This is the minimal style to create portraits.

This outline style of the portrait of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a solution for smaller drone shows. Here we used approx. 500 drones during the multimedia drone show for the inauguration of the MBR Solar Park Dubai.

Screen based design

A 2.5D design of portraits simulates the 3D look. We use a screen-like formation of the drones, onto which the details of the faces were then played. The focus is on the facial details themselves.

The 2.5D portraits of the three sons of HH Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Maktoum Bin Mohammed, Ahmed bin Mohammed and Hamdan bin Muhammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – throned above the LED video screen during the Dubai World Cup 2024 closing ceremony and were realised by using approx. 4000 LED drones.

3D drone sculpture

A 3D drone sculpture is designed in layers and looks different from any angle. Our 3D drone animation team must work with a completely different mind set to achieve these amazing results.

This 3D portrait of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud used approx. 2000 drones during the Riyadh Season Closing Ceremony 2021.

Contact us for more information

Do you like to integrate a portrait within your customized drone show? We can show you its magical realisation.

+971 (0) 2 681 6608

+49 (0) 172 27 21 745

or write us a mail to request a drone show, free of charge and without obligation.

This face designed in 3D including a binary code flew above the festival area of the Sheikh Zayed Festival NYE celebrations to welcome 2023 and used approx. 3000 drones.