Reality mapping is becoming an essential part of how organizations understand and manage the world around them, from capturing drone, crewed aircraft, or satellite imagery to producing accurate 2D and 3D products that support planning, inspection, and analysis.
To make these capabilities easier to access and use, we’re introducing a new way to license reality mapping across ArcGIS, with expanded access to powerful desktop workflows.
One simplified way to access reality mapping
With the new Reality Mapping user extension, organizations can access key reality mapping capabilities through a single, user-based license.
This change brings together the tools you already rely on—ArcGIS Drone2Map and ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro—into a more streamlined experience for desktop users.
Instead of managing multiple products or license levels, users can now access reality mapping capabilities through ArcGIS on the desktop based on their user type. ArcGIS Drone2Map is available with Creator and above user types, while ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro is available with Professional and Professional Plus user types, making it easier to assign the right capabilities to the right users and scale across teams.
More capability, fewer barriers
This update is designed to remove friction and expand access, especially for desktop-based workflows:
Full Drone2Map capabilities included
Users now have access to the complete set of Drone2Map desktop capabilities, including advanced processing and 3D outputs, without needing to choose between license levels.
Seamless work in ArcGIS Pro
With the appropriate user type, users can extend their work into ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro, bringing drone, aerial, and satellite mapping directly into their desktop GIS workflows.
Desktop workflows, connected to ArcGIS
While processing and production happen on the desktop, licensing is aligned with ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise, making it easier to manage access across your organization.
What this means for you
Starting May 2026, the new Reality Mapping user extension becomes the primary way to access ArcGIS Drone2Map and ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro.
If you’re already using ArcGIS Drone2Map or ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro, you can continue your work without disruption, while gaining expanded access to desktop capabilities through this new model.
While the new Reality Mapping user extension expands access to desktop capabilities in ArcGIS Drone2Map and ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Reality Studio remains separately licensed, giving organizations the flexibility to pair focused production workflows with broader reality mapping access across their teams.
Get started and share your feedback
We’re excited to make reality mapping more accessible across ArcGIS, and we’d love to hear from you. Share your feedback or ask questions in the Esri Community.
Learn how to assign licenses for your team:
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