Export Point Cloud Files (.e57, .las, .laz,.pod, .pts, .ptx, .rcp, .tdx)

Export point cloud data in any of the following file formats:

• .e57 - This format is a combination of binary and XML and is used for rendering images. (Note that unlike the normal e57 exporter, the e57 structured exporter exports point cloud data in a structured format. For more information, see Structured vs unstructured scan data.)
  • Structured scan data, which typically comes from tripod-based terrestrial scanners, includes scan station positions and grid dimensions. After registration, it provides a high-density 3D point cloud that can be exported in a structured format (for example, e57 structured and RCP structured).
  • Unstructured scan data, which typically comes from mobile LiDARs and UAS-based photogrammetry, does not include scan station positions and grid dimensions. After registration, it provides a low-density 3D point cloud that cannot be exported in a structured format.
• .las - This format is binary. When you export classified point cloud regions to an LAS file, the classification code is added to the exported points.
• .laz - This is a compressed .las format. When you export classified point cloud regions to an LAZ file, the classification code is added to the exported points.
• .pod - This is a Bentley Pointools file.
• .pts - This is an ASCII point file.
• .ptx - This is an ASCII point file.
• .rcp - This is an Autodesk ReCap file.
  • Structured scan data, which typically comes from tripod-based terrestrial scanners, includes scan station positions and grid dimensions. After registration, it provides a high-density 3D point cloud that can be exported in a structured format (for example, e57 structured and RCP structured).
  • Unstructured scan data, which typically comes from mobile LiDARs and UAS-based photogrammetry, does not include scan station positions and grid dimensions. After registration, it provides a low-density 3D point cloud that cannot be exported in a structured format.
• .tdx - This is a TBC/Realworks Scan Data Exchange file.

To export point cloud files:

1. Select Export in Home > Data Exchange.
2. In the Export pane, select the Point Cloud tab.
3. Select the format for the file.

   Your selection determines the Settings displayed below.

4. To select the scan points you want to export, click in the Data field and then do any of the following:
   • To export one or more entire point cloud regions, select the region(s) you want to export in the Project Explorer or graphic view.
   • To export a rectangular or polygonal selection of scan points, select Rectangle Select or Polygon Select in the Status Bar (or press F5 or F6) and draw your selection in a graphic view.
   • Click the Options button and select an appropriate selection option.
5. Optionally, in the File Name field, change the default export file name. If necessary, click the Browse button to specify a location for the export file other than the project folder.
6. Optionally, make changes to any of the default export Settings.

   Note the following:

   • You can specify to export point cloud data using either grid-projected or ground-based (scale factor = 1) scaling for e57, LAS, LAZ, POD, PTS, and RCP file formats. (TDX and PTX file formats are always exported with ground-based scaling.) Note the following:
     • When Scaling: Grid is selected, the exported points are expressed in the current projected coordinate system (that is, with the current combined scale factor). An associated .txt file is also created to specify the coordinate system and scale factor used. (Note that re-importing this file into TBC may cause some inconsistencies due to a double-scaling effect.)
     • When Scaling: Ground is selected,the exported points are exported as ground coordinates (that is, as they were measured in the field, independent of the coordinate system used). The ground coordinates are scaled from the 0,0 origin by the average combined scale factor. The scale factor is not exposed during export when this option is selected but can be determined by first exporting to grid and then viewing the associated .txt file.
   • You can export an LAS or LAZ file in ground-based scaling that includes the project’s global coordinate system information by selecting the ECEF export option.
   • The Split drop-down provides two options when exporting LAS point cloud files from a multi-station setup:
     • By station - Automatically export a separate LAS point cloud file from each scan station in the setup.
     • None - Export a single LAS point cloud file from all scan stations in the setup.
   • The Scan Inspection command enables you to graphically display positioning deviations between multiple point cloud regions (or mesh and surface objects and a point cloud region) by applying a differential color map ("heat map"). When you export a point cloud in E57, LAS, or LAZ format to which an inspection heat map has been applied, you can select Yes in the Use inspection colors drop-down list to export the point cloud with the heat map colors instead of true color so it can be viewed appropriately when imported into another project. This is a helpful feature for anyone who collaborates with others when working with inspections, as-built designs, monitoring, and/or tunneling.
7. Click Export.

Related topics

Export Data

Understanding Point Cloud Data