LiDAR Processing Software: An initial overview of the options

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LiDAR Processing SoftwareAn initial overview of
the options

• Dave Hockman-Wert

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Organizing Point Clouds Get all the data

• Vendors used to reduce LiDAR datasets to make
  processing easier and faster.
• Tiling, Attribute thinning, Point removal,
  Trimmed overlaps
• Data reduction limits the use and value of the
  data.
• Data reduction is no longer as necessary since we
  have better computing power, and better software
  for processing large datasets.

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So youve got a LiDAR point cloud

• What do you want to do with it?
• How do you
• View it?
• Work with it?
• Export it to a different format?
• Create bare-earth surfaces, including hydrologic
  models?
• Extract buildings, trees, and forests?
• Analyze tree characteristics?

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LiDAR Processing Software Pricey Options

• Stand-alone applications
• Quick Terrain Modeler (Applied Imagery)
• 3900 to 4755
• MARS Explorer/Explorer Pro (Merrick)
• 6595 to 8995
• ArcGIS extensions
• LIDAR Analyst (Visual Learning Systems)
• 10070 plus 2030 annual maintenance fee
• LP360 (QCoherent)
• 2995

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Quick Terrain Modeler

• Import, visualize, inspect, integrate, analyze,
  export
• Pros
• Fast visualization of large point clouds
• Simultaneous point/surface display
• Line of sight analysis, water level analysis,
  cross-section height profiles, mensuration
• Cons
• Not a lot of ability to filter by classification
  or generate bare-earth model

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MARS Explorer

• MARS Explorer designed for basic GIS/CAD users
  provides data import/export capabilities and
  contour generation functions.
• MARS Explorer Pro expanded version of MARS
  Explorer featuring MARS Filter, which is used for
  data classification activities.
• MARS Tool Suites MARS extensions provide
  additional functionality for breakline work and
  data analysis tasks. Photogrammetric and
  Analysis just made a Canopy Density Tool.

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VLS LIDAR Analyst

• Works in ArcGIS or IMAGINE
• Only tool that supports automated feature
  extraction from DEMs as well as points.
• Makes DEM from point cloud and then extracts
  bare-earth and buildings and trees.
• Can extract trees and calculate height, crown
  width, stem diameter (using regression), and tree
  density
• No 3D viewer, but can export 3D features

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LP360

• Reads LAS files into ArcMap, without needing 3D
  or Spatial Analyst
• Draws directly from LAS points (pyramiding)
• Can make on-the-fly TINs and contours
• Has its own integrated 3D viewer and
  cross-section profile viewer
• Conflation tools (breaklines), QC/QA tools
• Classification tools using features, elevation,
  or LAS attributes

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LiDAR Processing Software Free Options

• ArcGIS options
• GISLiDAR Tools (ArcScripts)
• LAS Reader (GeoCue)
• ArcGIS Terrains
• Stand-alone applications
• FUSION (USFS)
• PointVue LE (GeoCue)
• MARS FreeView (Merrick)
• Quick Terrain Reader (Applied Imagery)

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Where can I get some LiDAR data?

• CLICK USGS Center for LiDAR Information
  Coordination and Knowledge
• http//lidar.cr.usgs.gov/
• LAS files available, as is
• DEMs derived from LAS point clouds also available
• seamless.usgs.gov ArcIMS Server