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LAS Point Statistics As Raster

Summary

Creates a raster whose cell values reflect statistical information about measurements from LAS files referenced by a LAS dataset.

Usage

  • The LAS dataset layer can also be used to control the enforcement of surface constraint features that may be referenced by the LAS dataset.

  • The LAS format supports the classification of each point based on the specifications defined by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). The ArcGIS platform applies the classification scheme specified for LAS file version 1.4:

    Classification Value Classification Type

    0

    Never Classified

    1

    Unassigned

    2

    Ground

    3

    Low Vegetation

    4

    Medium Vegetation

    5

    High Vegetation

    6

    Building

    7

    Low Noise

    8

    Model Key / Reserved

    9

    Water

    10

    Rail

    11

    Road Surface

    12

    Overlap / Reserved

    13

    Wire – Guard

    14

    Wire – Conductor

    15

    Transmission Tower

    16

    Wire – Connector

    17

    Bridge Deck

    18

    High Noise

    19 – 63

    Reserved for ASPRS Definition (LAS 1.1 to 1.3 support up to class code 31)

    32 – 255

    User Definable (Only supported in LAS 1.0 and certain versions of 1.4)

  • Consider using PREDOMINANT_LAST_RETURN for the Method parameter to identify locations with higher return values that could indicate the presence of vegetation.

  • Consider using Z_RANGE for the Method parameter to determine locations with potential outliers.

Syntax

LasPointStatsAsRaster_management (in_las_dataset, out_raster, {method}, {sampling_type}, {sampling_value})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_las_dataset

The LAS dataset to process.

LAS Dataset Layer
out_raster

The location and name of the output raster. When storing a raster dataset in a geodatabase or in a folder such as an Esri Grid, no file extension should be added to the name of the raster dataset. A file extension can be provided to define the raster's format when storing it in a folder, such as .tif to generate a GeoTIFF or .img to generate an ERDAS IMAGINE format file.

If the raster is stored as a TIFF file or in a geodatabase, its raster compression type and quality can be specified using geoprocessing environment settings.

Raster Dataset
method
(Optional)

The type of statistics collected about the LAS points in each cell of the output raster.

  • PULSE_COUNT —The number of last return points.
  • POINT_COUNT —The number of points from all returns.
  • PREDOMINANT_LAST_RETURN —The most frequent last return value.
  • PREDOMINANT_CLASS —The most frequent class code.
  • INTENSITY_RANGE —The range of intensity values.
  • Z_RANGE —The range of elevation values.
String
sampling_type
(Optional)

Specifies the method used for interpreting the Sampling Value to define the resolution of the output raster.

  • OBSERVATIONS —Defines the number of cells that divide the lengthiest side of the LAS dataset extent.
  • CELLSIZE —Defines the cell size of the output raster. This is the default.
String
sampling_value
(Optional)

Specifies the value used in conjunction with the Sampling Type to define the resolution of the output raster.

Double

Code sample

LasPointStatsAsRaster example 1 (Python window)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env

env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.LasPointStatsAsRaster_3d("test.lasd", "lidar_intensity.img", 
                             "INTENSITY_RANGE", "CELLSIZE", 15)
LasPointStatsAsRaster example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script.

'''**********************************************************************
Name: LAS Point Statistics As Raster
Description: Identifies the most frequently occurring return value for 
             each pulse in a given set of LAS files. 
             Designed for use as a script tool.
**********************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy

# Set Local Variables
lasD = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0)
inLas = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(1) #input las files
sr = arcpy.GetParameter(2) #spatial reference of las dataset
statsRaster = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(3)

try:
    arcpy.CheckOutExtension('3D')
    # Execute CreateLasDataset
    arcpy.management.CreateLasDataset(inLas, lasD, 'RECURSION', '', sr)
    # Execute LasPointStatsAsRaster
    arcpy.management.LasPointStatsAsRaster(lasD, statsRaster, 
                                           "PREDOMINANT_RETURNS_PER_PULSE", 
                                           "CELLSIZE", 15)
    arcpy.CheckInExtension('3D')
except arcpy.ExecuteError:
    print(arcpy.GetMessages())
except Exception as err:
    print(err.args[0])

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
  • ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Yes
  • ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes

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