Available with 3D Analyst license.
A common way to visualize, analyze, and edit lidar data is to use a 2D cross-sectional view. A selected set of lidar points from a LAS dataset can be displayed and edited using the LAS dataset Profile Viewwindow accessed from the LAS Dataset toolbar in ArcMap. Visualizing cross sections of lidar data allows you to analyze collections of points from a unique perspective. 2D profile perspectives may make it easier to recognize particular features captured from lidar data, such as surface valleys, mountain peaks, buildings, vegetation types, forest canopy, road corridors, river/stream corridors, mines, construction sites, towers, and even power lines. Drawing cross sections of these features allows you to validate your lidar data in GIS and enables you to make informed analytic decisions.
Using the Profile View window, you can do the following:
- Measure distances and heights between points.
- Manually edit and update LAS classification codes.
- Manually edit LAS point-bit field flags.
- Display full-resolution lidar point sets.
- Select the LAS dataset 3D View
window to visualize the selected LAS dataset point set in 3D. - Move and rotate the profile area-of-interest window to view other features in the point cloud.
- View the elevation values when moving the cursor around in point profile window.
A full-resolution point set is displayed in the Profile View window. If a thinned set of points is shown in the ArcMap display window, the selection box used to create the 2D profile will only select a full-resolution point set to be displayed in the profile. The maximum number of points that the selection window will allow is based on the Point budget set. The point budget can be found on the Point Tool Options window, located on the LAS Dataset toolbar in ArcMap.
When lidar data is stored in LAS files, each point is often classified with a specific classification code that defines the type of feature that reflected the laser pulse. By using the Profile View tools, you can manually edit and update the classification codes for a single point or groups of points. Having the correct classification code assigned to each point will provide you with more accurate ways of filtering the points in your display. For more information on lidar classification, see Lidar point classification.
How to open the LAS dataset Profile View
To open the Profile View window, follow the steps outlined below:
- Click the LAS Dataset Profile View button
from the LAS Dataset toolbar. - With the crosshairs active, click a location on the point set that represents the
starting point of the LAS dataset profile graph.
A small dialog box appears, interactively showing the current length of the line. Use the SHIFT key to set straight vertical or horizontal lines. Press the ESC key to cancel.
- Click a location on the point set that represents the ending point of the LAS dataset profile graph.
- Click a third location to represent the width of the profile graph.
Once an ending point has been selected, a selection box appears allowing you to move the pointer until the box is at a desired profile width. The actual dimensions and point count for the selection box are displayed in a small dialog box in the ArcMap display window. These values change interactively as you move the pointer over the point set. The units of the displayed width correspond to the coordinates of the data being used for the analysis. When a maximum point count is reached, you cannot make the selection box any larger.
Profile View tools
There are several tools available for the LAS dataset points on the Profile View toolbar:
Navigate tool
The wide variety of functions built into the Navigate tool 
means it will most likely be the main navigation tool you use in Profile View. Clicking the left and right mouse buttons and dragging up, down, left, or right allows you to rotate the view, zoom in, and zoom out. Other navigation functions, such as setting the target location, are exposed through the use of keyboard shortcuts.
Zoom In tool
Use the Zoom In tool 
to zoom in to a target by clicking once and dragging a box in the Profile View window.
Zoom Out tool
Use the Zoom Out tool 
to zoom out from a target by clicking once and dragging a box in the Profile View window.
Pan tool
Use the Pan tool 
to move throughout the LAS dataset points in the 2D LAS dataset profile view.
Full Extent tool
Click the Full Extent button 
to zoom to the full extent of Profile View.
Refresh tool
Use the Refresh tool 
to refresh the data view to match the extent and symbology of the LAS dataset layer in the ArcMap window.
Point Information tool
Select the Point Information tool 
to display additional information
corresponding to a selected lidar point. Once a point has been selected, by default, basic location and attribute information is displayed. Select the Show more LAS attributes check box to display additional LAS attribute information for the selected point. The graphic below depicts the Profile Information window that will be displayed.
Measure
Measure elevation and elevation difference between LAS
points using the Measure tool 
.
- Click the Measure tool from the Profile View toolbar to measure elevation and elevation difference between two selected points.
- Click a starting point to begin the measurement in the Profile View (Start).
- Click an ending point in the Profile View to finish the measurement (End).
Select points
Use the Select Points tool 
to select LAS dataset points from Profile View. Once the tool is selected, either click on a point to select point by point or drag a selection box in Profile View to select several points. Hold down the SHIFT or CTRL key to add to an existing
selection.
Clear selected points
Use the Clear Selection button 
to clear selected LAS dataset points from Profile View.
Edit LAS dataset points
Use the Edit button 
to launch the Change Class Codes dialog box. This dialog box allows you to edit the classification codes
and bit flags associated with the LAS points of the LAS dataset displayed in Profile View.
Profile View options
The Profile View Options button 
controls how the LAS dataset Profile View window appears, moves and rotates. You can change Background color, and Point size factor. You can also change the way in which the Profile View will move using the Shifting step (% of size) and Rotation step (degree).
Moving the Profile View
The profile area-of-interest window can be moved and updated immediately in the Profile View window using the following mouse and keyboard controls. You can move the profile area-of-interest window up and down, side to side, and rotate the view.
Keyboard and Mouse
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
CTRL and wheel up/down | Moves the profile area of interest up and down |
ALT and wheel up/down | Rotates the profile area of interest |
SHIFT and wheel up/down | Moves the profile area of interest side to side |
Keyboard
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
CTRL and up/down arrow keys | Moves the profile area of interest up and down |
CTRL and greater than and less than keys | Rotates the profile area of interest |
CTRL and right or left arrow keys | Moves the profile area of interest side to side |
The Profile View Options allow you to change the way in which the Profile View will move using the Shifting step (% of size) and Rotation step (degree).
Shifting step (% of size) - Use the drop-down menu to change the shifting percentage from 25 to 100 percent of the current size of the area-of-interest. The area-of-interest will then shift by the selected percentage either up and down or side to side.
Rotation step (degree) - Use the drop-down menu to change the rotation step from 1 to 90 degrees that the Profile View area-of-interest will rotate.
