LIDAR - I need a 'selectable' LAS Dataset

[chrisflory]

Hello

I have a few years GIS experience but this is my first time working with LIDAR data.

I don't need to be able to 'process' the data itself. I only intend to be the keeper of the data and enable people to request data from me in small batches. So I need a way of indexing the data.

So far I have used the 'Create LAS Dataset' tool which has given me a 'grid' showing the extend of the individual LAS files. Great!

However I am not able to select / export this layer.

I want to be able to drag a box around a 'search area' and obtain a list of the LAS files within.

This list would be used in a batch file which would select and package the selected files for distribution.

Can the LAS Dataset i have created be converted to a shape file? If not... how can I make the layer query-able?

I am aware of the multipoint tool and it has been suggested that this may hold the answer, but I do not have 3D analyst. So any solution must work with my Standard 10.1 license.

Any help appreicated!

Chris : )

[MikeCusi]

LAS datasets have a footprint. Load it into arcmap then on the TOC, right click on the footprint then choose export data.

[chrisflory]

Hi Mike, thanks for your reply.

By footprint, do you mean the 'blocks' that are visible on the map?

After creating the LAS dataset I selected the option in the properties to "always show LAS file extents".

Is this the 'footprint' ?

I have right clicked on the layer in the TOC and can't see an option to export.

Under 'data' where you would usually see an export option (if the layer was a shp) I only have an option to 'view item description'.

I expect I'm doing something fundamentally wrong here. Perhaps the footprint you mention is a separate file I need to load into the map?

thanks!!!

Chris

[MikeCusi]

Maybe this can help http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=d8782286e3c9442bb5c244bf39da5966

[MikeCusi]

When working with las files, LASTOOLS has been most useful for me.

[XanderBakker]

If you don't have access to 3D analyst then your options inside ArcGIS will be limited, LAStools (as Mike Cusi suggests is a very good alternative).

[chrisflory]

Mike and Xander, thanks for your replies.

I stumbled across LASTOOLS and got quite excited about it until I saw the cost.

Unfortunately it is highly unlikely my company will pay for it, or for 3D analyst.

However I have made some progress.

Rather than simply creating the LAS Dataset, I have created a Mosaic Dataset then added the LAS files to it.

I initially followed a step by step guide I found but the footprint created was the 'overall' footprint.

This was due to an option being ticked to 'treat folders as files' (or something along those lines).

I unchecked that option and ran it again. It took MUCH longer but the footprint is now for the individual LAS files.

I included only half of the 49,000 LAS files I have. I will run the rest later then merge the footprints.

So for now.... my query has been solved (although I would really like to be able to do more!)

thanks : )

[XanderBakker]

Great that you have advanced on the matter, but it sounds a little strange a company is not willing to invest in some tools that you will need to process 49000 LAS file... The additional time you will have to invest to do things in a less optimal way (since you lack the proper tools) is costly too.