Add Files To LAS Dataset (Data Management)

Available with Standard or Advanced license.

Available with 3D Analyst license.

Available with Spatial Analyst license.

Summary

Adds references for one or more LAS files and surface constraint features to a LAS dataset.

Usage

• The LAS dataset is designed for use with lidar data in the LAS or ZLAS formats. LAS format file versions 1.0–1.4 are supported. The EzLAS Optimizer is a stand-alone lidar utility that can be used to generate .zlas files or convert them back to the LAS format.

• Surface constraint features can be used to enforce feature-derived elevation values that represent surface characteristics in the LAS dataset.

• The LAS format supports the classification of each point based on the specifications defined by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). The ArcGIS platform applies the classification scheme specified for LAS format file version 1.4:

  Classification value	Classification type
  0	Never Classified
  1	Unassigned
  2	Ground
  3	Low Vegetation
  4	Medium Vegetation
  5	High Vegetation
  6	Building
  7	Low Noise
  8	Model Key / Reserved
  9	Water
  10	Rail
  11	Road Surface
  12	Overlap / Reserved
  13	Wire – Guard
  14	Wire – Conductor
  15	Transmission Tower
  16	Wire – Connector
  17	Bridge Deck
  18	High Noise
  19 – 63	Reserved for ASPRS Definition (LAS 1.1 to 1.3 support up to class code 31)
  32 – 255	User Definable (Only supported in LAS 1.0 and certain versions of 1.4)

  Note:

  While the bulk of class code assignments introduced with LAS 1.4 were previously designated as Reserved, class codes 8 and 12 were changed from Model Key and Overlap, respectively, to Reserved.

Parameters

Dialog

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Input LAS Dataset	The LAS dataset to process.	LAS Dataset Layer
LAS Files or Folders (Optional)	Input files can reference any combination of individual LAS files and folders containing LAS data. In the tool dialog box, a folder can also be specified as an input by selecting the folder in Windows Explorer and dragging it onto the parameter's input box.	Folder; File
Include subfolders (Optional)	Specifies whether .las files residing in the subdirectories of an input folder will be referenced by the LAS dataset. Unchecked—Only .las files residing in an input folder will be added to the LAS dataset. This is the default. Checked—All .las files residing in the subdirectories of an input folder will be added to the LAS dataset.	Boolean
Surface Constraints (Optional)	The features that will contribute to the definition of the triangulated surface generated from the LAS dataset. Input Features—The features with geometry that will be incorporated into the LAS dataset's triangulated surface. Height Field—The feature's elevation source can be derived from any numeric field in the feature's attribute table or the geometry by selecting Shape.Z. If no height is necessary, specify the keyword <None> to create z-less features with elevation that will be interpolated from the surface. Type—Defines the feature's role in the triangulated surface generated from the LAS dataset. Options with hard or soft designation refer to whether the feature edges represent distinct breaks in slope or a gradual change. Surface Feature Type—The surface feature type that defines how the feature geometry will be incorporated into the triangulation for the surface. Options with hard or soft designation refer to whether the feature edges represent distinct breaks in slope or a gradual change. anchorpoints—Elevation points that will not be thinned away. This option is only available for single-point feature geometry. hardline or softline—Breaklines that enforce a height value. hardclip or softclip—Polygon dataset that defines the boundary of the LAS dataset. harderase or softerase—Polygon dataset that defines holes in the LAS dataset. hardreplace or softreplace—Polygon dataset that defines areas of constant height.	Value Table

Derived Output

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Updated Input LAS Dataset	The updated LAS dataset.	LAS Dataset Layer

Python

arcpy.management.AddFilesToLasDataset(in_las_dataset, {in_files}, {folder_recursion}, {in_surface_constraints})

Name	Explanation	Data Type
in_las_dataset	The LAS dataset to process.	LAS Dataset Layer
in_files [in_files,...] (Optional)	Input files can reference any combination of individual LAS files and folders containing LAS data. In the tool dialog box, a folder can also be specified as an input by selecting the folder in Windows Explorer and dragging it onto the parameter's input box.	Folder; File
folder_recursion (Optional)	Specifies whether lidar data residing in the subdirectories of an input folder will be added to the LAS dataset. NO_RECURSION—Only lidar files residing in an input folder will be added to the LAS dataset. This is the default. RECURSION—All lidar files residing in the subdirectories of an input folder will be added to the LAS dataset.	Boolean
in_surface_constraints [[in_feature_class, height_field, SF_type],...] (Optional)	The features that will be referenced by the LAS dataset when generating a triangulated surface. Each feature must have the following properties defined: in_feature_class—The feature to be referenced by the LAS dataset. height_field—Any numeric field in the feature's attribute table can be used to define the height source. If the feature's geometry contains z-values, it can be selected by specifying Shape.Z. If no height is necessary, specify the keyword <None> to create z-less features with elevation that will be interpolated from the surface. SF_type—The surface feature type that defines how the feature geometry will be incorporated into the triangulation for the surface. Options with hard or soft designation refer to whether the feature edges represent distinct breaks in slope or a gradual change. anchorpoints—Elevation points that will not be thinned away. This option is only available for single-point feature geometry. hardline or softline—Breaklines that enforce a height value. hardclip or softclip—Polygon dataset that defines the boundary of the LAS dataset. harderase or softerase—Polygon dataset that defines holes in the LAS dataset. hardreplace or softreplace—Polygon dataset that defines areas of constant height.	Value Table

Derived Output

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

Code sample

AddFilesToLasDataset 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.AddFilesToLasDataset_management("test.lasd", 
                                      ["LA_N", "LA_S/LA_5S4E.las"],
                                      "RECURSION", 
                                      ["boundary.shp <None> Soft_Clip",
                                       "breakline.shp Shape.Z Hard_Line"])

AddFilesToLasDataset 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, Scratch Workspace

Licensing information

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