Label | Explanation | Data Type |
Input LAS | The .las, .zlas, or .laz files that will be converted. Multiple files can be processed by specifying the folder containing the files or a LAS dataset. | Layer File; LAS Dataset Layer; Folder; File |
Target Folder
| The existing folder where the output files will be written. | Folder |
File Version
(Optional) | Specifies the file version that will be used for the output files.
| String |
Point Format
(Optional) | Specifies the point record format that will be used for the output files. The available options will vary based on the output LAS format file version.
| String |
Compression
(Optional) | Specifies whether the output files will be stored in a compressed or uncompressed format.
| String |
LAS Options (Optional) | Specifies the modifications that will be made to the output files that will reduce their size and improve their performance in display and analysis.
| String |
Output LAS Dataset
(Optional) | The output LAS dataset referencing the newly created .las files. | LAS Dataset |
Define Input Coordinate System
(Optional) | Specifies how the coordinate system of each input file will be defined.
| String |
Input Coordinate System
(Optional) | The coordinate system that will be used to define the spatial reference of some or all input files based on the Define Input Coordinate System parameter value. | Coordinate System |
Summary
Converts .las, .zlas, and .laz files between different LAS compression methods, file versions, and point record formats.
Usage
This tool converts point cloud data in .las, .zlas, and .laz files. The output files can be created in a different file version and point record format, as long as the output supports the full range of classification codes and flags in the input. For example, if the input has file version 1.1 with point record format 1, it can be upgraded to file version 1.4 with point record format 6, but a version 1.4 file cannot be converted to an earlier version. Attributes from the input .las files that are not supported by the output will be lost.
This tool is for converting entire .las files. Any layer filter settings that may be defined for the input LAS dataset will be ignored. To filter points by any combination of classification codes, classification flags, and return values, use the Extract LAS tool.
Many .las, .zlas, and .laz files store the points in a manner that does not correspond with the spatial distribution of the data, resulting in a degraded display and analysis performance when reading the relatively scattered point records in a given spatial extent. The impact of this performance degradation is worsened by the size of the file being read: a large file with scattered records will take longer to process than a smaller file. It is recommended that you create the output files using the Rearrange Points option of the LAS Options parameter so that the binary records are stored in spatial clusters that are optimized for data access. This will usually improve performance. Rearranging points will extend this tool's overall processing time, as an intermediate .las file is created in the process, but the long-term advantages typically outweigh its one-time impact during file creation. The rearranged state of the data is also preserved in the .las file header and communicated in the .las file properties on the LAS dataset properties dialog box.
Parameters
arcpy.conversion.ConvertLas(in_las, target_folder, {file_version}, {point_format}, {compression}, {las_options}, {out_las_dataset}, {define_coordinate_system}, {in_coordinate_system})
Name | Explanation | Data Type |
in_las | The .las, .zlas, or .laz files that will be converted. Multiple files can be processed by specifying the folder containing the files or a LAS dataset. | Layer File; LAS Dataset Layer; Folder; File |
target_folder | The existing folder where the output files will be written. | Folder |
file_version (Optional) | Specifies the file version that will be used for the output files.
| String |
point_format (Optional) | Specifies the point record format that will be used for the output files. The available options will vary based on the output LAS format file version.
| String |
compression (Optional) | Specifies whether the output files will be stored in a compressed or uncompressed format.
| String |
las_options [las_options,...] (Optional) | Specifies the modifications that will be made to the output files that will reduce their size and improve their performance in display and analysis.
| String |
out_las_dataset (Optional) | The output LAS dataset referencing the newly created .las files. | LAS Dataset |
define_coordinate_system (Optional) |
Specifies how the coordinate system of each input file will be defined.
| String |
in_coordinate_system (Optional) | The coordinate system that will be used to define the spatial reference of some or all input files based on the define_coordinate_system parameter value. | Coordinate System |
Code sample
The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window.
import arcpy
arcpy.conversion.ConvertLas('2014_survey.zlas', '2014_unclassified_collection',
'1.4', 7, 'NO_COMPRESSION',
['REMOVE_VLR', 'REMOVE_EXTRA_BYTES', 'REARRANGE_POINTS'],
'2014_unclassified_collection/2014_Survey_Collection.lasd')