Interpolate From Point Cloud (Data Management)

Summary

Interpolates a digital terrain model (DTM) or a digital surface model (DSM) from a point cloud.

Usage

  • The form of the point cloud can be either LAS files or a solution point table.

Parameters

LabelExplanationData Type
Input LAS Folder or Point Table

The path and name of the file, folder, or feature layer. The input can be a folder of LAS files or a solution point table from orthomapping tools.

The LAS files can be the output from the Generate Point Cloud tool, in which LAS points are categorized as ground and above ground. The solution point table is output from either the Compute Block Adjustments tool or the Compute Camera Model tool.

Folder; File; Feature Layer
Output Raster

The output raster dataset location, name, and file extension.

The output can be created in most writable raster formats, such as TIFF, CRF, or IMG.

Raster Dataset
Cellsize

The cell size of the output raster dataset.

Double
Interpolation Method
(Optional)

Specifies the method that will be used to interpolate the output raster dataset from the point cloud.

  • TIN linear interpolation The triangulation method will be used. It is also known as triangulated irregular network (TIN) linear interpolation and is designed for irregularly distributed sparse points, such as solution points from block adjustment computation.
  • TIN natural neighbor interpolationThe natural neighbor method will be used. It is similar to triangulation but generates a smoother surface and is more computationally intensive.
  • Inverse distance weighted average interpolationThe inverse distance weighted (IDW) average method will be used. It is used for regularly distributed dense points, such as point cloud LAS files from the Generate Point Cloud tool. The IDW search radius is automatically computed based on average point density.
String
Smoothing Method
(Optional)

Specifies the filter that will be used to smooth the output raster dataset.

  • Gaussian 3 by 3A Gaussian filter with a 3 by 3 window will be used.
  • Gaussian 5 by 5A Gaussian filter with a 5 by 5 window will be used.
  • Gaussian 7 by 7A Gaussian filter with a 7 by 7 window will be used.
  • Gaussian 9 by 9A Gaussian filter with a 9 by 9 window will be used.
  • No smoothingNo smoothing filter will be used.
String
Surface Type
(Optional)

Specifies whether a digital terrain model or a digital surface model will be created.

  • Digital terrain modelA digital terrain model will be created by interpolating only the ground points.
  • Digital surface modelA digital surface model will be created by interpolating all the points.
String
Input Fill DEM
(Optional)

A DEM raster input that is used to fill NoData areas. Areas of NoData may exist where pixels do not have enough information from the input to generate values.

Raster Dataset; Raster Layer; Mosaic Dataset; Mosaic Layer

arcpy.management.InterpolateFromPointCloud(in_container, out_raster, cell_size, {interpolation_method}, {smooth_method}, {surface_type}, {fill_dem})
NameExplanationData Type
in_container

The path and name of the file, folder, or feature layer. The input can be a folder of LAS files or a solution point table from orthomapping tools.

The LAS files can be the output from the Generate Point Cloud tool, in which LAS points are categorized as ground and above ground. The solution point table is output from either the Compute Block Adjustments tool or the Compute Camera Model tool.

Folder; File; Feature Layer
out_raster

The output raster dataset location, name, and file extension.

The output can be created in most writable raster formats, such as TIFF, CRF, or IMG.

Raster Dataset
cell_size

The cell size of the output raster dataset.

Double
interpolation_method
(Optional)

Specifies the method that will be used to interpolate the output raster dataset from the point cloud.

  • TRIANGULATION The triangulation method will be used. It is also known as triangulated irregular network (TIN) linear interpolation and is designed for irregularly distributed sparse points, such as solution points from block adjustment computation.
  • NATURAL_NEIGHBORThe natural neighbor method will be used. It is similar to triangulation but generates a smoother surface and is more computationally intensive.
  • IDWThe inverse distance weighted (IDW) average method will be used. It is used for regularly distributed dense points, such as point cloud LAS files from the Generate Point Cloud tool. The IDW search radius is automatically computed based on average point density.
String
smooth_method
(Optional)

Specifies the filter that will be used to smooth the output raster dataset.

  • GAUSS3x3A Gaussian filter with a 3 by 3 window will be used.
  • GAUSS5x5A Gaussian filter with a 5 by 5 window will be used.
  • GAUSS7x7A Gaussian filter with a 7 by 7 window will be used.
  • GAUSS9x9A Gaussian filter with a 9 by 9 window will be used.
  • NONENo smoothing filter will be used.
String
surface_type
(Optional)

Specifies whether a digital terrain model or a digital surface model will be created.

  • DTMA digital terrain model will be created by interpolating only the ground points.
  • DSMA digital surface model will be created by interpolating all the points.
String
fill_dem
(Optional)

A DEM raster input that is used to fill NoData areas. Areas of NoData may exist where pixels do not have enough information from the input to generate values.

Raster Dataset; Raster Layer; Mosaic Dataset; Mosaic Layer

Code sample

InterpolateFromPointCloud example 1 (stand-alone script)

This is a Python sample for the InterpolateFromPointCloud function.

import arcpy
arcpy.InterpolateFromPointCloud_management('c:/data/LASFolder',
                                           'c:/data/dsm.crf', '10',
                                           'IDW', 'GAUSS5x5', 'DTM')

Licensing information

  • Basic: No
  • Standard: Requires ArcGIS Reality
  • Advanced: Yes

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