Can surfaces be generated from LAS/LAZ files?

Yes, it is possible to generate surfaces directly from LiDAR laser files in LAS and LAZ formats. MDT 25 has specific tools to process this type of data efficiently, offering the following capabilities:

Creation Methods

• Import as Surface: Through the Surfaces > Create Surface command, the program converts LiDAR files into a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN).

• From a Point Cloud inserted in the drawing: If the point cloud has already been linked to the drawing (using the Convert Drawing Objects command or native CAD tools), it can be used as a base element for triangulation. To do this, in the Surfaces > CREATE SURFACE command, you must check the "Point Clouds" box and use the "Select Cloud" button to select it graphically. This method is especially useful because it allows combining point cloud information with other elements such as break lines or traditional topographic points in the same surface creation process.

• Mesh Creation (DEM): For extremely dense models (with millions of points), it is recommended to create a Binary Mesh. This format takes up significantly less memory and allows for more agile handling than a conventional triangle surface.

Filtering and Optimization Tools

Since LiDAR files usually contain a high density of information, the program allows applying several filters during import:

• Category Filter: Allows selecting only points belonging to specific classes, such as the "ground" category, ignoring elements like vegetation or buildings.

• Maximum Side Length: You can set a limit distance for triangle sides to prevent erroneous faces from forming on the model boundary.

• Density Reduction: The user can define a percentage of points to import or a minimum distance between vertices, which reduces the size of the resulting file without sacrificing the necessary precision.