[Gdal-dev] Support for LIDAR data, LAS format?

[Matthew Perry]

Hey all,

 The latest version of the python LAS->shapefile converter (with some
changes thanks to Carl) are available at
http://perrygeo.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/gis-bin/pylas.py. It could be
extended to export to other vector formats than shapefiles with a
little effort.

Ideally the LAS converter could be made into an OGR driver - the LAS
format is well documented so, with some time and motivation, it would
certainly be feasible.

Since LAS is essentially just vector point data, I don't really see a
GDAL driver as being appropriate. You need to apply some interpolation
routine to the point elevation values before you have a continuous
raster surface such as a GeoTiff.

- matt

On 11/30/06, Carl Anderson <carl.anderson at vadose.org> wrote:
> Cody,
>
> If you compile the SWIG/Python bindings into GDAL
>
> you can use
> http://www.perrygeo.net/wordpress/?p=38
> To pre-process your LAS format LIDAR into a shapefile, and run on from
> there.
>
> A clever person might be able to extend the script to other GDAL
> supported formats.
>
> there is a 0.02 version of the LAS -> Shapefile script somewhere..
>
> C.
>
> Cody Benkelman wrote:
> > Apologies for cross-posting - I posted this previously on the GeoTIFF
> > list...
> >
> > Has anyone added support for LIDAR data in LAS format?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Cody Benkelman
> >
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Cody Benkelman [mailto:benkelman at yahoo.com]
> >> Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 10:55 AM
> >> To: geotiff at lists.maptools.org
> >> Subject: Support for LIDAR data, LAS format?
> >>
> >> I'm seeking an update with regard to LIDAR data, in LAS format.  I
> >> found the exchange copied at bottom in the archive:
> >> http://lists.maptools.org/pipermail/gdal-dev/2004-June/003599.html
> >>
> >> ...but I don't see LAS or LIDAR in the current GDAL format list.  May
> >> I assume support for LAS format has not yet been added to GDAL?
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >>
> >> Cody A. Benkelman
> >> ASPRS Certified Mapping Scientist - Remote Sensing (#RS-144)
> >> Whitefish, Montana  59937 cell (406) 270-1176
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> [Gdal-dev] Re: LIDAR .las file format
> >> John Nipper jnipper at bhinc.com
> >> Thu Jun 24 18:44:48 EDT 2004
> >>
> >> Previous message: [Gdal-dev] LIDAR .las file format Next message:
> >> [Gdal-dev] reprojecting Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [
> >> subject ] [ author ]
> >>
> >> --------------------------------------------------------------
> >> ----------
> >> --------
> >>
> >> Chapman, Martin <MChapman <at> sanz.com> writes:
> >>
> >>
> >>> All,
> >>>
> >>> Has anyone written a
> >>> driver for the LIDAR (.las) file format for GDAL?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Martin Chapman
> >>> Cell 303-885-1936
> >>> Office
> >>> 303-660-3933 x226
> >>> mchapman <at> sanz.com
> >>> http://www.sanz.com
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Gdal-dev mailing list
> >>> Gdal-dev <at> remotesensing.org
> >>> http://xserve.flids.com/mailman/listinfo/gdal-dev
> >>>
> >>>
> >> I have written utilities that read/write las format.  I have not seen
> >> anything that is open source, or for GDAL yet.  I would be happy to
> >> help out with such a driver, if I can get permission to do so ...  At
> >> a minimum, I can answer questions about the format if anyone needs.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> John Nipper
> >> 505 798-7907 direct office line
> >> jnipper at bhinc.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Gdal-dev mailing list
> > Gdal-dev at lists.maptools.org
> > http://lists.maptools.org/mailman/listinfo/gdal-dev
> >
>
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-- 
Matthew T. Perry
GIS Analyst / Software Engineer
National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS)
work: perry at nceas.ucsb.edu
web: http://www.perrygeo.net