LAS files not showing up in folder

[JamieSardelli]

Hi everyone,

I've recently downloaded ArcGIS 10.1 and was trying to add a LiDAR las file to my map.  When I go to the add file button and look for the las file it doesn't appear.  When I look for it outside of arc in windows the file exists, but is unrecognized when trying to access through add file or any other toolset I can think of within arc.

Trying to view las files on my PC has proven to be unsuccessful and was curious if anyone else has had this issue or knows how to fix this problem?

I'm running arcgis 10.1 advanced with spatial analyst and 3d analyst on a U510 Lenovo w/ windows 8. The las files are in 1.2 format, could this be the problem?

Here is a link to the files if anyone would like to test on there machine:
http://www.edc.uri.edu/rigis/data/download/lidar/2011USGS/tilemap.html

Hopefully nobodies solution is to switch back to win7 or wait for 10.2 to come out.

Any help would be truly appreciated.

Jamie

[MichaelEdelson]

I'm having the same issue. Did you have any luck with finding out the answer.  I'm using 10.1.
Thanks,

[ChristianClerc]

I was having an issue with LAS files that were zipped. For some reason, windows unzipping them made them folders instead of LAS files. I utilized the free 7-zip program, and it maintained the LAS file structure in lieu of windows interpretting it as a folder within a zipped folder.

[EricRice]

You can't just click 'add data' and browse to a .las file and display it.  It's not supported like that.  See Using lidar in ArcGIS as well as What is a LAS Dataset for good starting points.

Best,
Eric

[JosephKopera]

I am having the same issue.

With all due respect Eric, the ArcGIS 10.1 help tells us to do just that:  http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//015w0000003s000000

After a good 20 minutes of searching after finding the above and not having it work, I did find instructions that clarify that an "LAS dataset" is in fact different from *.las files.  Which is something the help could be clearer on in the get-go.

It turns out you have to create an LAS dataset in Arc Catalog.  And then add LAS files to it.  It's buried in the ArcGIS help here:  http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#/Adding_lidar_data_to_a_LAS_dataset/015w000...

[RONDELAA]

Hey! Any advice on this for the newer version?

[BruceHarold]

Hi

This doesn't fix your problem but to assist for browsing for LAS data you can edit your ArcCatalog options to make LAS files at least visible, picking a suitable bitmap icon that you will recognize.

regards

[NinaRihn]

I am having the same issue.

With all due respect Eric, the ArcGIS 10.1 help tells us to do just that:  http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//015w0000003s000000

After a good 20 minutes of searching after finding the above and not having it work, I did find instructions that clarify that an "LAS dataset" is in fact different from *.las files.  Which is something the help could be clearer on in the get-go.

It turns out you have to create an LAS dataset in Arc Catalog.  And then add LAS files to it.  It's buried in the ArcGIS help here:  http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#/Adding_lidar_data_to_a_LAS_dataset/015w000...

thank you!  I thought the same thing when I read the ArcGIS 10.1 help

[MaryamTaher]

Thank jkopera . It was really helpful.

Maryam