Do you have return numbers, class codes, intensity values, etc., that you need access to? What do you intend to do with your lidar data? Going to LAS may not be your best option.
You might try the txt2las utility from LasTools: http://www.cs.unc.edu/~isenburg/lastools/
There are several websites that provide LAS files. I have tested ArcScene 10.1 beta with some of the LAS files located at http://liblas.org/samples/.
LAS file "2398_400.las" contains RGB values.
Alternatively, you could use software to convert your text files to LAS. I have installed LP360 (30 day evaluation) and it can convert text files (like PTS) to LAS. Make sure to choose LAS version 1.2 in LP360 to enable RGB.
Good luck!
I downloaded the file to experiment with. I seem to be unable to load *.las (v1.2) in ArcScene (and toolboxes). Could you tell me how to do this?
Hi Luc,
You have to create a LAS dataset with the new "Create LAS Dataset" tool. You'll find this in 3D Analyst Tools / Data Management / LAS Dataset (or just do a search for "LAS Dataset"). You are not able to add LAS files to ArcMap or ArcScene directly, but after you create the LAS Dataset you're good to go.
You may also be interested in this Esri video where native support for Lidar is explained by Nathan Shephard:
http://video.esri.com/watch/454/native-support-for-lidar
Good luck!
Kind regards,