Export Mobile Mapping Classified Point Cloud Regions to LAS (.las)

LAS is a binary format for point clouds. You can export classified point cloud regions to an LAS file or multiple LAS files, the classification code is added to the exported points.

To export Mobile Mapping classified point cloud regions to LAS (.las):

  1. Use the Extract Classified Point Cloud command in Point Clouds > Regions to extract classified regions from the point cloud region(s) of a run.
  2. Select Export in Home > Data Exchange.
  3. In the Export pane, select the Mobile Mapping tab.
  4. Select Export to LAS (Trajectory Split).
  5. To select the run to export in the Project Explorer.
  6. 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.
  7. Optionally, make changes to any of the default export Settings.
    • In the Splitting distance field, set a value in meter multiple of 250.
    • In the Export both lasers in the same file field, select Yes to export classified point cloud regions of the left and right lasers of the selected run into a single LAS file. You need to select at least one laser to export.
    • In the Export laser left field, select Yes to export classified point cloud regions of the left laser of the selected run into a single LAS file. Select No to export nothing.
    • In the Export laser right field, select Yes to export classified point cloud regions of the right laser of the selected run into a single LAS file. Select No to export nothing.
    • In the Split into files field, select Yes to split the exported LAS file into multiple LAS files, according to the Splitting Distance value.
    • In the Sample points field, select Yes to specify that random sampling be performed on the exported point cloud regions. Then, in the Number of points field enter the number of points to be used in the sample.
    • In the Format field, choose the version of the LAS format between 1.2 and 1.4.
    • In the Export unit drop-down list, select the unit of distance to be used in the exported file(s).

    You can specify to export point cloud data using either grid-projected or ground-based (scale factor = 1) 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 file in ground-based scaling that includes the project’s global coordinate system information by selecting the ECEF export option.

    When an inspection heat map has been applied to the point cloud (see Perform a Scan Inspection and Run a Scan Inspection Report), 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.

  8. Click Export.