Rasters from LiDAR: Point to Raster, LAS Dataset to Raster or Terrain to Raster?

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10-16-2019 08:15 AM
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KeithAddison1
Occasional Contributor III

I have a bunch of classified LiDAR data that I need to make a raster DEM & DSM from. From what I can gather my options are use the Point to Raster tool directly on the a multipoint feature, use las dataset to raster, or make a terrain first and generate the rasters from that. There are no breaklines or anything besides the LiDAR data that need to go into this. Interpolation will be required as well. The documents I read about this choice all say the Terrain to Raster produces higher quality results, but they don't elaborate. What exactly do they mean when and why do they say this? In my case that has just LiDAR data going in is it worth making a Terrain first or not? Does the Terrain method provide better interpolation options or something?

Thanks

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CodyBenkelman
Esri Regular Contributor

LAS Dataset to Raster unless you have a really large collection in which case I'd recommend LAS Dataset to Tiled Raster which you have to download from http://links.esri.com/3dsamples 

You should not have a multipoint dataset - converting LAS to multipoint is very inefficient except for very small samples.  The Terrain dataset is intended for long term maintenance of an authoritative bare earth DTM but not intended for multiple returns, DSM, etc.

See Managing Lidar Data—Imagery Workflows | ArcGIS  and take advantage of the broader discussions about all types of imagery at ArcGIS Imagery Workflows | ArcGIS  

RobertWieder
New Contributor II

Hello,

I have the same Problems for Lidar datas

Thanks for help

Robert Wieder

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MarcSwartz
New Contributor III

Have you looked at the Interpolate From Point Cloud (Data Management) ?

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