Remove Files From LAS Dataset (Data Management)

Summary

Removes one or more LAS files and surface constraint features from a LAS dataset.

Usage

• File paths must use the folder separator associated with the operating system.

• Only a folder that directly contains LAS files can be provided as an input. When a folder is specified, all LAS files that reside in that folder will be removed from the LAS dataset.

• Surface constraint features need only be cited by their name, not their extension or path. For example, boundary.shp and sample.gdb/boundary are referred to as boundary.

• The presence of a LAS dataset pyramid changes the LAS dataset's schema, rendering the LAS dataset unusable in ArcGIS Desktop or in ArcGIS Pro releases prior to 2.6. This tool can be used to delete the pyramid to allow those applications to use the LAS dataset. However, creating a new LAS dataset for those applications is preferable since the processing time for generating the LAS dataset display pyramid is significantly greater than the time for creating a LAS dataset. Only consider deleting the display pyramid if a different pyramid point selection method is desired.

Syntax

arcpy.management.RemoveFilesFromLasDataset(in_las_dataset, {in_files}, {in_surface_constraints}, {delete_pyramid})

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
in_las_dataset	The LAS dataset to process.	LAS Dataset Layer
in_files [in_files,...] (Optional)	The name of the LAS files or folders containing LAS files whose reference will be removed from the LAS dataset.	String
in_surface_constraints [in_surface_constraints,...] (Optional)	The name of the surface constraint features that will be removed from the LAS dataset.	String
delete_pyramid (Optional)	Specifies whether the LAS dataset's display pyramid will be deleted. DELETE_PYRAMID —The LAS dataset's display pyramid will be deleted. NO_DELETE_PYRAMID —The LAS dataset's display pyramid will not be deleted. This is the default.	Boolean

Derived Output

Name	Explanation	Data Type
derived_las_dataset	The updated LAS dataset.	LAS Dataset Layer

Code sample

RemoveFilesFromLasDataset example 1 (Python window)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env

env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.RemoveFilesFromLasDataset_management("test.lasd", 
                                           "LA_N; LA_S/LA_5S4E.las",
                                           "boundary.shp; streams.shp")

RemoveFilesFromLasDataset example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script.

'''*********************************************************************
Name: Modify Files in LAS Dataset& Calculate Stats for LASD
Description: Adds files & surface constraints to a LAS dataset, then
             calculates statistics and generates report.
*********************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy

try:
    # Script variables
    arcpy.env.workspace = 'C:/data'
    lasd = 'sample.lasd'
    oldLas = ['2006', '2007/file2.las']
    newLas = ['2007_updates_1', '2007_updates_2']
    oldSurfaceConstraints = ['boundary.shp', 'streams.shp']
    newSurfaceConstraints = [['sample.gdb/boundary', '<None>',
                              'Soft_Clip']
                             ['sample.gdb/streams', 'Shape.Z',
                              'Hard_Line']]
    arcpy.management.RemoveFilesFromLasDataset(lasd, oldLas,
                                               oldSurfaceConstraints)
    arcpy.management.AddFilesToLasDataset(lasd, newLas, 'RECURSION',
                                          newSurfaceConstraints)
    arcpy.management.LasDatasetStatistics(lasd, "UPDATED_FILES",
                                          "lasd_stats.txt",
                                          "LAS_FILE", "DECIMAL_POINT",
                                          "SPACE", "LAS_summary.txt")
except arcpy.ExecuteError:
    print(arcpy.GetMessages())
except Exception as err:
    print(err.args[0])

Environments

Current Workspace

Licensing information

• Basic: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
• Standard: Yes
• Advanced: Yes