Background: What are LAS Files?ΒΆ

LIDAR Data

LIDAR data is analogous to RADAR with LASERs, and is short for Light Detection and Ranging. This library provides a python API to read, write, and manipulate one popular format for storing LIDAR data, the .LAS file.

LAS files are binary files packed according to several specifications.

LAS Specifications

laspy 1.0 supports LAS formats 1.0 to 1.2, and provides preliminary support for formats 1.3 and 1.4.

1.0 http://www.asprs.org/a/society/committees/standards/asprs_las_format_v10.pdf
1.1 http://www.asprs.org/a/society/committees/standards/asprs_las_format_v11.pdf
1.2 http://www.asprs.org/a/society/committees/standards/asprs_las_format_v12.pdf
1.3 http://www.asprs.org/a/society/committees/standards/LAS_1_3_r11.pdf
1.4 http://www.asprs.org/a/society/committees/standards/LAS_1_4_r11.pdf

LAS Headers

Much of the data required for laspy to know how to read the LAS file is present in the header, which laspy interacts with according to the pattern below. There are some minor departures from the raw specification for convenience, namely combining the Day+Year fields into a python datetime.datetime object, and placing the X Y and Z scale and offset values together.

Note

The various LAS specifications say that the Max and Min X Y Z fields store unscaled values, however LAS data in the wild appears not to follow this convention. Therefore, by default, laspy stores the scaled double precision values and updates header files accordingly on file close. This can be overridden by supplying one of several optional arguments to file.close(). First, you can simply not update the header at all, by specifying ignore_header_changes=True. Second, you can ask that laspy store the unscaled values explicitly, by specifying minmax_mode=”unscaled”.

If this sounds like gibberish, feel free to ignore it!

Header: Version 1.0 - 1.2

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
File Signature file_signature char[4] (4)
File Source Id file_source_id unsigned short[1] (2)
(Reserved or Global Encoding) global_encoding unsigned short[1] (2)
Gps Time Type gps_time_type Part of Global Encoding
Project Id (4 combined fields) guid ulong+ushort+ushort+char[8] (16)
Verion Major version_major unsigned char[1] (1)
Version Minor version_minor unsigned char[1] (1)
Version Major + Minor version (see above)
System Identifier system_id char[32] (32)
Generating Software software_id char[32] (32)
File Creation Day of Year (handled internally) unsigned short[1] (2)
File Creation Year (handled internally) unsigned short[1] (2)
Creation Day + Year date (see above)
Header Size header_size unsigned short[1] (2)
Offset to Point Data data_offset unsigned long[1] 4
Number of Variable Length Recs (handled internally) unsigned long[1] 4
Point Data Format Id data_format_id unsigned char[1] (1)
Data Record Length data_record_length unsigned short[1] (2)
Number of point records records_count unsigned long[1] (4)
Number of Points by Return Ct. point_return_count unsigned long[5 or 7] (20 or 28)
Scale Factor (X, Y, Z) scale double[3] (24)
Offset (X, Y, Z) offset double[3] (24)
Max (X, Y, Z) max double[3] (24)
Min (X, Y, Z) min double[3] (24)

Header: Version 1.3 (appended)

Start of waveform data record start_waveform_data_rec unsigned long long[1] (8)

Header: Version 1.4 (appended)

Start of first EVLR start_first_evlr unsigned long long[1] (8)
Number of EVLRs (handled internally) unsigned long[1] (4)
Number of point records point_records_count unsigned long long[1] (8)
Number of points by return ct. point_return_count unsigned long long[15] (120)

In addition, the LAS 1.4 specification replaces the point_records_count and point_return_count fields present in previous versions with legacy_point_records_count and legacy_point_return_count, which match the specification of their original counterparts.

Therefore broadly speaking, with the exception of the 1.4 legacy fields and format changes, these specifications are cumulative - each adds more potential configurations to the last, while (mostly) avoiding backwards incompatability.

Point Formats

LAS Format Point Formats Supported
Version 1.0 0, 1
Version 1.1 0, 1
Version 1.2 0, 1, 2, 3
Version 1.3 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Version 1.4 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Note

Where there exist discrepencies between the use of point fields between LAS versions, we will assume that the more recent version is used. For example, the original 1.0 specification used a point field called “File Marker”, which was generally neglected. We will therefore use the more recent “User Data” nomenclature.

Sub-Byte Fields: Point Formats 0-5

There are two bytes per point record dedicated to sub-byte length fields, one called by laspy flag_byte and the other called raw_classification. These are detailed below, and are available from Laspy in the same way as full size dimensions:

Flag Byte

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation Length(in bits)
Return Number return_num 3
Number of Returns num_returns 3
Scan Direction Flag scan_dir_flag 1
Edge of Flight Line edge_flight_line 1

Classification Byte

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation Length(in bits)
Classification classification 4
Synthetic synthetic 1
Key Point key_point 1
Withheld withheld 1

Sub-Byte Fields: Point Formats 6-10

The new point formats introduced by LAS specification 1.4 shuffle the bit fields around a bit.

Flag Byte

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation Length(in bits)
Return Number return_num 4
Number of Returns num_returns 4

Classification Flags

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation Length(in bits)
synthetic synthetic 1
key point key point 1
withheld withheld 1
overlap overlap 1
Scanner Channel scanner_channel 2
Scan Direction Flag scan_dir_flag 1
Edge of Flight Line edge_flight_line 1

Classification Byte

LAS 1.4 introduces a byte sized classification field, and this is interpreted as an integer. For information on the interpretation of the Classification Byte field, see the LAS specification. This dimension is accessable in laspy as simply laspy.file.File.classification for files which make the field available. In files without the full byte classification, this property provides the 4 bit classification field which becomes “classification_flags” in 1.4.

Point Format Specifications The five possible point formats are detailed below:

Point Format 0

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Byte) raw_classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)

Point Format 1

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Byte) raw_classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)

Point Format 2

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Byte) raw_classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
Red red unsigned short[1] (2)
Green green unsigned short[1] (2)
Blue blue unsigned short[1] (2)

Point Format 3

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Byte) raw_classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)
Red red unsigned short[1] (2)
Green green unsigned short[1] (2)
Blue blue unsigned short[1] (2)

Point Format 4

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Byte) raw_classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)
Wave Packet Descriptor Index wavefm_packet_desc_index unsigned char[1] (1)
Byte Offset to Waveform Data byte_offset_to_waveform_data unsigned long long[1] (8)
Waveform Packet Size waveform_packet_size unsigned long[1] (4)
Return Point Waveform Location return_pt_waveform_loc float[1] (4)
X(t) x_t float[1] (4)
Y(t) y_t float[1] (4)
Z(t) z_t float[1] (4)

Point Format 5

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Byte) raw_classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)
Red red unsigned short[1] (2)
Green green unsigned short[1] (2)
Blue blue unsigned short[1] (2)
Wave Packet Descriptor Index wavefm_packet_desc_index unsigned char[1] (1)
Byte Offset to Waveform Data byte_offset_to_waveform_data unsigned long long[1] (8)
Waveform Packet Size waveform_packet_size unsigned long[1] (4)
Return Point Waveform Location return_pt_waveform_loc float[1] (4)
X(t) x_t float[1] (4)
Y(t) y_t float[1] (4)
Z(t) z_t float[1] (4)

Point Format 6

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Flags) classification_flags unsigned byte[1] (1)
classification classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Scan Angle scan_angle short[1] (2)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)

Point Format 7

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Flags) classification_flags unsigned byte[1] (1)
classification classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Scan Angle scan_angle short[1] (2)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)
Red red unsigned short[1] (2)
Green green unsigned short[1] (2)
Blue blue unsigned short[1] (2)

Point Format 8

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Flags) classification_flags unsigned byte[1] (1)
classification classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Scan Angle scan_angle short[1] (2)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)
Red red unsigned short[1] (2)
Green green unsigned short[1] (2)
Blue blue unsigned short[1] (2)
Near Infared nir unsigned short[1] (2)

Point Format 9

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Flags) classification_flags unsigned byte[1] (1)
classification classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Scan Angle scan_angle short[1] (2)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)
Wave Packet Descriptor Index wavefm_packet_desc_index unsigned char[1] (1)
Byte Offset to Waveform Data byte_offset_to_waveform_data unsigned long long[1] (8)
Waveform Packet Size waveform_packet_size unsigned long[1] (4)
Return Point Waveform Location return_pt_waveform_loc float[1] (4)
X(t) x_t float[1] (4)
Y(t) y_t float[1] (4)
Z(t) z_t float[1] (4)

Point Format 10

Field Name Laspy Abbreviation File Format[number] (length)
X X (x for scaled) long[1] (4)
Y Y (y for scaled) long[1] (4)
Z Z (z for scaled) long[1] (4)
Intensity intensity unsigned short[1] (2)
(Flag Byte) flag_byte unsigned byte[1] (1)
(Classification Flags) classification_flags unsigned byte[1] (1)
classification classification unsigned byte[1] (1)
User Data user_data unsigned char[1] (1)
Scan Angle scan_angle short[1] (2)
Point Source Id pt_src_id unsigned short[1] (2)
GPS Time gps_time double[1] (8)
Red red unsigned short[1] (2)
Green green unsigned short[1] (2)
Blue blue unsigned short[1] (2)
Near Infared nir unsigned short[1] (2)
Wave Packet Descriptor Index wavefm_packet_desc_index unsigned char[1] (1)
Byte Offset to Waveform Data byte_offset_to_waveform_data unsigned long long[1] (8)
Waveform Packet Size waveform_packet_size unsigned long[1] (4)
Return Point Waveform Location return_pt_waveform_loc float[1] (4)
X(t) x_t float[1] (4)
Y(t) y_t float[1] (4)
Z(t) z_t float[1] (4)

Variable Length Records, Extended Variable Length Records

Each LAS file can also contain a number of variable length records, or VLRs. These can be used to store specific georeferencing information, or user/software specific data. The LAS specifications linked above define several specific VLRs, however laspy does not parse VLRs at this level of detail. Instead, laspy documents the VLR header, which should always be in a common format, and stores the raw bytes of the remaining record.

The LAS 1.3 specification also adds the concept of an extended VLR. In 1.3, waveform data is stored at the end of the file in a variable length record which can contain more data than the original VLR, due to the larger data type for the “rec_len_after_header” field. This EVLR is known as the Waveform Data Packet Record.

In the LAS 1.4 specification, more than one EVLR may be present. The headers to these newer formats therefore provide the byte offset to the Waveform Data Packet Record, as well as the byte offset to the first EVLR record. These numbers may be the same or different.

To summarize in tabular form, LAS files follow the following structure:

# Formats 1.0 through 1.2
1 Header
2 VLR(s)
3 Point Records

# Format 1.3
1 Header
2 VLR(s)
3 Point Records
4 Waveform Data Packet Record

# Format 1.4
1 Header
2 VLR(s)
3 Point Records
4 EVLR(s), including Waveform Data if present

laspy.header.VLR Attributes:

Name Format in File Length
reserved Unsigned Short 2
user_id Character 16
record_id Unsigned Short 2
rec_len_after_header Unsigned Short 2
description Character 32
VLR_body Raw Bytes rec_len_after_header

laspy.header.EVLR Attributes:

Name Format in File Length
reserved Unsigned Short 2
user_id Character 16
record_id Unsigned Short 2
rec_len_after_header Unsigned LongLong 8
description Character 32
VLR_body Raw Bytes rec_len_after_header

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