LAS Dataset To TIN (3D Analyst Tools)

Summary

Exports a triangulated irregular network (TIN) from a LAS dataset.

Illustration

LAS Dataset to TIN

Usage

You can filter the LAS dataset's points by classification codes, classification flags, return values, and elevation range. Define point filters on the LAS dataset's Layer Properties dialog box or using the Make LAS Dataset Layer tool.
The LAS dataset layer can also be used to control the enforcement of surface constraint features that may be referenced by the LAS dataset. The constraints are enforced when displaying or processing the LAS dataset as a triangulated surface.
While the total number of points that a TIN can support can exceed 15 million points, it is recommended that you limit TIN datasets to no more than 5 million points to ensure a responsive performance when displaying and analyzing the data. The TIN node count can be reduced using point thinning methods and controlling the output processing extent.

Note:

Consider using a Window Size thinning type when you need more predictable control of how LAS points are thinned in the generation of the output TIN.

Label	Explanation	Data type
Input LAS Dataset	The LAS dataset that will be processed.	LAS Dataset Layer
Output TIN	The TIN dataset that will be generated.	TIN
Thinning Type (Optional)	Specifies the type of thinning that will be used to reduce the LAS data points saved as the nodes in the resulting TIN. No Thinning—No thinning is applied. This is the default. Random—LAS data points will be randomly selected based on the Thinning Method and Thinning Value parameter values. Window Size—The LAS dataset will be divided into square tiles defined by the Thinning Value parameter value, and LAS points will be selected using the Thinning Method parameter value.	String
Thinning Method (Optional)	Specifies the technique to be used to reduce the LAS data points, which impacts the interpretation of the Thinning Value parameter value. The available options depend on the Thinning Type parameter value. Percent—The thinning value will reflect a percentage of the total points in the LAS dataset. This option is only available when the Thinning Type parameter value is Random. Node Count—The thinning value will reflect the total number of nodes that are allowed in the output. This option is only available when the Thinning Type parameter value is Random. Minimum Z—Selects the LAS point with the lowest elevation in each window size area. This option is only available when the Thinning Type parameter value is Window Size. Maximum Z—Selects the LAS point with the highest elevation in each window size area. This option is only available when the Thinning Type parameter value is Window Size. Closest To Mean Z—Selects the LAS point with the elevation closest to the average value of all LAS points in each window size area. This option is only available when the Thinning Type parameter value is Window Size.	String
Thinning Value (Optional)	The thinning value's interpretation depends on the Thinning Type parameter value. If Thinning Type parameter value is Window Size, this value represents the sampling area by which the LAS dataset will be divided. If Thinning Type parameter value is Random and the Thinning Method parameter value is Percent, this value represents the percentage of LAS points that will be exported to the TIN. If Thinning Type parameter value is Random and the Thinning Method parameter value is Node Count, this value represents the total number of LAS points that can be exported to the TIN.	Double
Maximum Number of Output Nodes (Optional)	The maximum number of nodes permitted in the output TIN. The default is 5 million.	Double
Z Factor (Optional)	The factor by which z-values will be multiplied. This is typically used to convert z linear units to match x,y linear units. The default is 1, which leaves elevation values unchanged. This parameter is not available if the spatial reference of the input surface has a z-datum with a specified linear unit.	Double
Clip to Extent (Optional)	Specifies whether the resulting TIN will be clipped against the analysis extent. This only has an effect if the analysis extent is a subset of the input LAS dataset. Checked—Clips the output TIN against the analysis extent. This is the default. Unchecked—Does not clip the output TIN against the analysis extent.	Boolean

arcpy.3d.LasDatasetToTin(in_las_dataset, out_tin, {thinning_type}, {thinning_method}, {thinning_value}, {max_nodes}, {z_factor}, {clip_to_extent})

Name	Explanation	Data type
in_las_dataset	The LAS dataset that will be processed.	LAS Dataset Layer
out_tin	The TIN dataset that will be generated.	TIN
thinning_type (Optional)	Specifies the type of thinning that will be used to reduce the LAS data points saved as the nodes in the resulting TIN. `NONE`—No thinning is applied. This is the default. `RANDOM`—LAS data points will be randomly selected based on the `thinning_method` and `thinning_value` parameter values. `WINDOW_SIZE`—The LAS dataset will be divided into square tiles defined by the `thinning_value` parameter value, and LAS points will be selected using the `thinning_method` parameter value.	String
thinning_method (Optional)	Specifies the technique to be used to reduce the LAS data points, which impacts the interpretation of the `thinning_value` parameter value. The available options depend on the `thinning_type` parameter value. `PERCENT`—The thinning value will reflect a percentage of the total points in the LAS dataset. This option is only available when `thinning_type` parameter value is `RANDOM`. `NODE_COUNT`—The thinning value will reflect the total number of nodes that are allowed in the output. This option is only available when `thinning_type` parameter value is `RANDOM`. `MIN`—Selects the LAS point with the lowest elevation in each window size area. This option is only available when `thinning_type` parameter value is `WINDOW_SIZE`. `MAX`—Selects the LAS point with the highest elevation in each window size area. This option is only available when `thinning_type` parameter value is `WINDOW_SIZE`. `CLOSEST_TO_MEAN`—Selects the LAS point with the elevation closest to the average value of all LAS points in each window size area. This option is only available when `thinning_type` parameter value is `WINDOW_SIZE`.	String
thinning_value (Optional)	The thinning value's interpretation depends on the `thinning_type` parameter value. If the `thinning_type` parameter value is `WINDOW_SIZE`, this value represents the sampling area by which the LAS dataset will be divided. If the `thinning_type` parameter value is `RANDOM` and the `thinning_method` parameter value is `PERCENT`, this value represents the percentage of points from the LAS dataset that will be exported to the TIN. If the `thinning_type` parameter value is `RANDOM` and the `thinning_method` parameter value is `NODE_COUNT`, this value represents the total number of LAS points that can be exported to the TIN.	Double
max_nodes (Optional)	The maximum number of nodes permitted in the output TIN. The default is 5 million.	Double
z_factor (Optional)	The factor by which z-values will be multiplied. This is typically used to convert z linear units to match x,y linear units. The default is 1, which leaves elevation values unchanged. This parameter is not available if the spatial reference of the input surface has a z-datum with a specified linear unit.	Double
clip_to_extent (Optional)	Specifies whether the resulting TIN will be clipped against the analysis extent. This only has an effect if the analysis extent is a subset of the input LAS dataset. `CLIP`—Clips the output TIN against the analysis extent. This is the default. `NO_CLIP`—Does not clip the output TIN against the analysis extent.	Boolean

Code sample

LasDatasetToTin example 1 (Python window)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window:

arcpy.env.workspace = 'C:/data'
arcpy.ddd.LasDatasetToTin('se_baltimore.lasd', 'se_bmore', 'RANDOM', 15, 3.28)

LasDatasetToTin example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script:

'''**********************************************************************
Name: LAS Dataset to TIN Example
Description: Create a TIN using bare earth lidar measurements. This
             script is designed for use as a script tool.
**********************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy

# Set Local Variables
lasD = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0)
inLas = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(1) #input las files
surfCons = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(2) #input surface constraints
sr = arcpy.GetParameter(3) #spatial reference of las dataset
outTin = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(4)
thinningType = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(5)
thinningMethod = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(6)
thinningValue = arcpy.GetParameter(7)
zFactor = arcpy.GetParameter(8)

# Run CreateLasDataset
arcpy.management.CreateLasDataset(inLas, lasD, 'RECURSION', surfCons, sr)
lasLyr = arcpy.CreateUniqueName('lasdToTin', 'in_memory')
classCode = 2
returnValue = 'LAST'
# Run MakeLasDatasetLayer
arcpy.management.MakeLasDatasetLayer(lasD, lasLyr, classCode, returnValue)
# Define extent of the area of interest
env.extent(1426057, 606477, 1449836, 623246)
# Run LasDatasetToTin
arcpy.ddd.LasDatasetToTin(lasLyr, outTin, thinningType,
                          thinningMethod, thinningValue, zFactor)

Environments

Current Workspace, Extent, Output Coordinate System, Geographic Transformations, Default TIN Storage Version

Licensing information

Basic: Requires 3D Analyst
Standard: Requires 3D Analyst
Advanced: Requires 3D Analyst