LAS datasets allow the inclusion of LAS files and additional constraint features (such as breaklines) in the creation of either a point or TIN-based view of the data. Geoprocessing tools allow you to create, modify, analyze, and convert LAS datasets.
To create a new LAS dataset or update the definition of an existing one with geoprocessing tools requires one of the following license types:
- ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension
- ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension
- ArcGIS Desktop for Windows—Standard (or higher)
To utilize any of the 3D tools with a LAS dataset requires the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension license.
The following lists of tools are available in ArcGIS to work with a LAS dataset.
ArcGIS Desktop geoprocessing tools
Conversion toolbox
The Conversion toolbox provides the LAS Dataset To Raster tool. This tool allows you to convert LAS datasets to a raster surface model for additional analysis. These conversions allow different types of analysis, show different interpretations, or extract features from LAS data that you can use to enhance your analysis results or visualization.
To locate the LAS Dataset To Raster conversion tool:
In ArcToolbox, locate the Conversion toolbox, then expand the To Raster toolset.
| Geoprocessing tools | Description |
|---|---|
| LAS Dataset To Raster | Converts a LAS dataset to a raster using elevation, intensity, or RGB values stored in the lidar files referenced by the LAS dataset. |
Data Management toolbox
The Data Management tools allow you to create and manage the LAS files referenced by a LAS dataset. These management tools allow you to update LAS datasets with new LAS files or surface constraints, edit existing LAS datasets, and even create and update statistical analysis conducted on the LAS files.
To locate the Data Management tools:
In ArcToolbox, locate the Data Management toolbox, then expand the LAS Dataset toolset.
| Geoprocessing tools | Description |
|---|---|
| Add Files To LAS Dataset | Adds lidar LAS files and/or surface constraint features to an existing LAS dataset. |
| Create LAS Dataset | Creates a LAS dataset. |
| LAS Dataset Statistics |
Calculates or updates statistics of a LAS dataset. |
| LAS Points Statistic As Raster | Exports statistics about the spatial distribution of certain lidar attributes to a raster. |
| Remove Files From LAS Dataset |
Removes references of one or more LAS files and/or surface constraints from a LAS dataset. |
You can also create a LAS dataset layer from an input LAS dataset. The layer that is created by the tool is temporary. To locate the Make LAS Dataset Layer tool:
In ArcToolbox, locate the Data Management toolbox, then expand the Layers and Table Views toolset.
| Geoprocessing tools | Description |
|---|---|
| Make LAS Dataset Layer | Creates a LAS dataset layer from an input LAS dataset. The layer that is created by the tool is temporary and will not persist after the session ends unless the layer is saved to disk or the map document is saved. |
ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension geoprocessing tools
A set of geoprocessing tools is available for the LAS dataset in the 3D Analyst toolbox. To ensure the toolbox is available, make sure 3D Analyst is installed and is enabled via the Customize > Extensions dialog box.
Conversion
The LAS dataset conversion tool allows you to convert LAS datasets to a TIN surface model for additional analysis. These conversions allow different types of analysis, show different interpretations, or extract features from LAS data that you can use to enhance your analysis results or visualization in 3D.
To locate the LAS Dataset To TIN tool:
In ArcToolbox, locate the 3D Analyst toolbox, expand the Conversion toolset, then expand the From LAS Dataset toolset.
| Geoprocessing tools | Description |
|---|---|
| LAS Dataset To TIN | Creates a triangulated irregular network (TIN) from the lidar files referenced by a LAS dataset. |
Data Management
The ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension data management tools allow you to manage the classification codes defined in the LAS files referenced by the LAS dataset.
To locate the LAS dataset ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension Data Management tools:
In ArcToolbox, locate the 3D Analyst toolbox, expand the Data Management toolset, then expand the LAS Dataset toolset.
| Geoprocessing tools | Description |
|---|---|
| Change LAS Class Codes |
Modifies the classification codes for LAS files referenced by a LAS dataset. This tool will completely change one classification code to another, which is particularly useful for updating the classification of LAS files generated prior to the introduction of classification standards in the LAS 1.1 specification. The tool can be used to ensure such data conforms to the current standards. |
| Classify LAS Building | Classifies building rooftop points in aerial lidar data. |
| Classify LAS By Height | Reclassifies lidar points based on their height from the ground surface. |
| Classify LAS Ground | Classifies ground points in lidar data. |
| Classify LAS Noise | Classifies noise points in lidar data. |
| Classify LAS Overlap | Classifies LAS points from overlapping scans. |
| Colorize LAS | Creates new LAS files with RGB and infrared values using existing LAS files and imagery. |
| Extract LAS | Extracts LAS files that overlay the clip features or extent. |
| LAS Height Metrics | Calculates statistics about the distribution of elevation measurements of vegetation points captured in LAS data. |
| LAS Point Statistics By Area | Evaluates the statistics of LAS points that overlay the area defined by polygon features. |
| Locate LAS Points By Proximity | Identifies lidar points within the three-dimensional proximity of z-enabled features while also providing the option to reclassify the points and export them to an output feature class. |
| Set LAS Class Codes Using Features |
Changes lidar classification codes assigned to lidar points based on their proximity to feature data. |
| Thin LAS | Creates new LAS files that contain a subset of LAS points from the input LAS dataset. |
| Tile LAS | Creates tiled LAS files that conform to a regular tiling scheme. |
Supporting ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension analysis tools
Several analysis toolsets are available in the 3D Analyst toolbox to conduct surface analysis with raster and triangulated surfaces.
The following tools conduct analysis directly using the LAS dataset.
| Geoprocessing tools | Description |
|---|---|
| Add Surface Information |
Interpolates surface elevation properties for point, multipoint, polyline, and polygon features from the LAS dataset surface. |
| Interpolate Shape | Interpolates z-values for a feature class based on elevations derived from the LAS dataset. |
| Locate Outliers |
Locates points that appear to be anomalies when compared to a surface. These points represent points that may be blunders and may need to be eliminated from the creation of the surface. |
| Line Of Sight |
Uses an input 2D or 3D polyline feature class along with a LAS dataset surface to determine visibility between observer and target points. |
| Skyline | Generates a line or multipatch feature class containing the results from a skyline silhouette analysis. |
| Surface Difference | Calculate the displacement between two surfaces to determine where one is above, below or the same as the other surface. |