Remove Files From LAS Dataset (Data Management)
Summary
Removes one or more LAS files and surface constraint features from a LAS dataset.
Usage
- When a folder is specified for removal, all LAS files that reside in the folder will be removed from the LAS dataset. 
- Surface constraint features only have to be cited by their name. For example, 'boundary.shp' and 'sample.gdb/boundary' would just be referred to as 'boundary'. 
Syntax
RemoveFilesFromLasDataset_management (in_las_dataset, {in_files}, {in_surface_constraints})
| Parameter | Explanation | Data Type | 
| in_las_dataset | The input LAS dataset. | LAS Dataset Layer | 
| in_files [in_files,...] (Optional) | The LAS files or folders containing LAS files that will be removed from the LAS dataset. | Folder; File | 
| in_surface_constraints [in_surface_constraints,...] (Optional) | The name of the surface constraint features that will be removed from the LAS dataset. | String | 
Code Sample
RemoveFilesFromLasDataset example 1 (Python window)
The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window:
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.RemoveFilesFromLasDataset_management("test.lasd", 
                                           "LA_N; LA_S/LA_5S4E.las",
                                           "boundary.shp; streams.shp")
RemoveFilesFromLasDataset example 2 (stand-alone script)
The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script:
'''*********************************************************************
Name: Modify Files in LAS Dataset& Calculate Stats for LASD
Description: Adds files & surface constraints to a LAS dataset, then 
             calculates statistics and generates report.
*********************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
import exceptions, sys, traceback
try:
    # Script variables
    env.workspace = 'C:/data'
    lasd = 'sample.lasd'
    oldLas = ['2006', '2007/file2.las']
    newLas = ['2007_updates_1', '2007_updates_2']
    oldSurfaceConstraints = ['boundary.shp', 'streams.shp']
    newSurfaceConstraints = [['sample.gdb/boundary', '<None>', 
                              'Soft_Clip']
                             ['sample.gdb/streams', 'Shape.Z', 
                              'Hard_Line']]
    arcpy.management.RemoveFilesFromLasDataset(lasd, oldLas, 
                                               oldSurfaceConstraints)
    arcpy.management.AddFilesToLasDataset(lasd, newLas, 'RECURSION', 
                                          newSurfaceConstraints)
    arcpy.management.LasDatasetStatistics(lasd, "UPDATED_FILES", 
                                          "lasd_stats.txt", 
                                          "LAS_FILE", "DECIMAL_POINT", 
                                          "SPACE", "LAS_summary.txt")
except arcpy.ExecuteError:
    print arcpy.GetMessages()
except:
    # Get the traceback object
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0]
    # Concatenate error information into message string
    pymsg = "PYTHON ERRORS:\nTraceback info:\n{0}\nError Info:\n{1}"\
          .format(tbinfo, str(sys.exc_info()[1]))
    msgs = "ArcPy ERRORS:\n {0}\n".format(arcpy.GetMessages(2))
    # Return python error messages for script tool or Python Window
    arcpy.AddError(pymsg)
    arcpy.AddError(msgs)
Environments
Related Topics
Licensing Information
ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Yes
ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes
5/7/2015