Processing LiDAR from .xyzi

[JamesStewart-Moore1]

I have been given some LiDAR that needs to be processed. The file-type is .xyzi, which I understand to be ASCII. Doing a little bit of research directed me to the ASCII 3D to Feature Class. My assumption is that it needs to be brought in as point features and that then I can interpolate those points into a TIN, which I can then be processed into a DEM. Is this the best way of going about this?

[CodyBenkelman · Accepted solution]

Look here http://links.esri.com/3dsamples for the tool ASCII text to LAS

With a LAS file you can then run LAS dataset to Raster to generate a DEM.  Note if your XYZI points represent "all returns" (not ground only) and you're seeking a bare earth DTM, you'll have to run Classify LAS.

For ongoing help post in 

https://community.esri.com/groups/lidar-resources 

[JamesStewart-Moore1]

Thanks, Cody. I ultimately used LAStools' "txttolas" tool. I was not aware that there was a tool within Arc that did the same thing. I appreciate your response.