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 point cloud data stored in the LAS format using file versions 1.0–1.4. LAS files stored in the compressed ZLAS format are also supported. ZLAS files can be generated by any tool that creates new LAS files, such as Convert LAS, Extract LAS, Thin LAS, or Tile LAS. Additionally, the LAS Optimizer 1.2 stand-alone application can also be used to compress .las files to .zlas or uncompress them back to .las files.

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

• ArcGIS uses the LAS classification scheme defined by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS).

  Learn more about lidar point classification

Parameters

Dialog

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Input LAS Dataset	The LAS dataset that will be processed.	LAS Dataset Layer
LAS Files or Folders (Optional)	Inputs that can include any combination of .las files, .zlas files, LAS datasets, and folders containing .las or .zlas data. When a LAS dataset is specified as input, all .las and .zlas files that have a valid path reference will be added to the input LAS dataset. In the Geoprocessing pane, a folder can also be specified as an input by selecting the folder in File Explorer and dragging it onto the parameter's input box.	LAS Dataset Layer; 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 that will be processed.	LAS Dataset Layer
in_files [in_files,...] (Optional)	Inputs that can include any combination of .las files, .zlas files, LAS datasets, and folders containing .las or .zlas data. When a LAS dataset is specified as input, all .las and .zlas files that have a valid path reference will be added to the input LAS dataset. In the Geoprocessing pane, a folder can also be specified as an input by selecting the folder in File Explorer and dragging it onto the parameter's input box.	LAS Dataset Layer; Folder; File
folder_recursion (Optional)	Specifies whether lidar files 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