The LAS Layer

LAS files are viewed through a specially designed data layer called a LAS Layer. The relationship between the LAS Layer and the LAS files is one-to-many, much like an image or raster layer. The LAS files, whether tiled or in their raw flight line state, are encapsulated within a layer so that many LAS files representing a geographic area, such as a city or county, behave cohesively like one data layer.

The LAS files are selected in the LAS tab of the Add Files dialog.

In all versions of LP360, the LAS Layer is integrated into the user interface. When a LAS Layer is created and added to the map, the layer is listed as another layer in the Table of Contents (TOC) view. It can be turned on or off, dragged up or down in the layers collection, and modified to have different layer properties.

When you select LAS files to add to a LAS Layer, the files will be grouped to form layers based on matching criteria (the coordinate system, LAS format version, Point Data Record Format, and GPS time format). If files do not have matching criteria, multiple layers will be made. If the files match the criteria of a layer that is already open in the map and you use the Append to Compatible Layers option, then those files will be added to that existing layer and displayed as such in the map.

In addition to displaying points in the map, the LAS Layer can also display the boundaries of the LAS files that are referenced by the layer. This is useful for large projects in which LAS file management is important, such as locating a single file spatially or determining the spatial extent of a known file using LP360 tools.

Depending on the number of LAS files selected to create a LAS Layer, the layer is initialized differently. If one LAS file is selected to create the layer, the LAS file boundaries are not displayed by default, and the single LAS file is loaded. When the layer is added to the map, points will be displayed immediately. However, if more than one LAS file is selected, then the boundaries of the LAS files are displayed by default and the LAS files are not loaded. When the layer is added to the map, points will not be displayed until at least one LAS file is loaded.

Learn more about loading and unloading LAS files within a LAS Layer

Example of the LIDAR Layer with boundaries displayed