The LIDAR Layer

LAS files are viewed through a specially designed data layer called a LIDAR Layer. The relationship between the LIDAR Layer and the LAS files is one-to-many, much like an image or raster catalog layer used in ArcMap™. 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 Add LAS Files dialog box. See Add LAS Files Dialog Box (LP360 for ArcMap) or Add LAS Files Dialog Box (LP360 for Windows) for more information.

In all versions of LP360, the LIDAR Layer is integrated into the user interface. When a LIDAR 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. In ArcMap, the LIDAR Layer can be used with other native ArcMap toolbars and tools, such as the Identify tool or the Effects toolbar, to modify the transparency just like with other layers, such as feature or image layers.

When you select LAS files to add to a LIDAR 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 LIDAR 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 LIDAR 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 LIDAR Layer

Example of the LIDAR Layer with boundaries displayed