LAS dataset 3D View

Viewing LAS datasets using a 3D perspective is a great way to better visualize and understanding the lidar data referenced by the LAS dataset. The LAS dataset 3D View window allows you to view your LAS dataset as points or as a surface in a 3D environment in ArcMap. The 3D view is only available from the LAS Dataset toolbar in ArcMap. 3D perspectives may make it easier to recognize particular features captured from lidar data, such as surface valleys, mountain peaks, buildings, vegetation types, forest canopy, road corridors, river/stream corridors, mines, construction sites, towers, and even power lines. Drawing these features in 3D allows you to validate your lidar data in GIS and enables you to make informed analytic decisions.

Airborne lidar data

LAS dataset 3D View tools

To view a LAS dataset in 3D View, follow the steps outlined below:

Steps:
  1. Zoom to set the desired display extent to be shown in 3D View.
  2. Click the LAS Dataset 3D View button LAS Dataset 3D Viewer from the LAS Dataset toolbar.
TipTip:

You can also view the points displayed in 2D Profile View in a 3D view by launching 3D View while the 2D profile view is open.

3D View tools

There are several tools available for LAS datasets on the 3D View toolbar:

Navigate tool

Clicking the left and right mouse buttons and dragging up, down, left, or right allows you to rotate the view, zoom in, and zoom out. Other navigation functions, such as setting the target location, are exposed through the use of keyboard shortcuts. The wide variety of functions built into the Navigate tool Navigate means it will most likely be the main navigation tool you use in 3D View.

Mouse navigation lookup table

Mouse

Action

Description

Replicates

Mouse Left Button

Drag

Pivots the view around the target location

Hold down CTRL and click

Recenters the target location at the clicked point

Center on Target

Hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys and click

Enables/Disables animated navigation

Mouse Middle Button

Drag

Pans the view (as a 3D vector)

Pan

Hold down CTRL and click

Moves the camera location to the clicked point

Set Observer

Rotate scroll wheel

Zooms in to/out from the target point

Zoom In/Out

Mouse Right Button

Drag

Zooms in to/out from the target point

Zoom In/Out

Hold down CTRL and click

Centers and zooms in to the clicked point

Zoom In/Out

Zoom In tool

Use the Zoom In button Zoom In to zoom in to a target by clicking once and dragging a box in the 3D View window.

Zoom Out tool

Use the Zoom Out button Zoom Out to zoom out from a target by clicking once and dragging a box in the Profile View window.

Pan tool

Select the Pan tool Pan to move throughout the LAS dataset points or surface in the 3D View window.

Full Extent tool

Select the Full Extent button Full Extent to zoom to the full extent of 3D View.

Refresh tool

Select the Refresh tool Refresh to refresh the data view to match the extent and symbology of the LAS dataset layer in the ArcMap window.

Point Information tool

Select the Point Information tool Point Information to display additional information corresponding to a selected lidar point. Once a point has been selected, by default basic location and attribute information is displayed. Select the Show more LAS attributes check box to display additional LAS attribute information for the selected point. The graphic below depicts the 3D Information window.

Point Information dialog window

Measure

Measure distance and height between LAS points using the Measure tool Measure.

Steps:
  1. Click the Measure tool Measure from the 3D View toolbar to measure height and distance between two selected points.
  2. 3D View window with airborne lidar data
  3. Click a starting point to begin the measurement in 3D View.
  4. Double-click in the 3D View window to finish the measurement.
    The distance of the measurement and the height difference between the starting point and ending point are displayed in 3D View.

    3D View window with airborne lidar data

3D View options

The Profile View Options parameters control how the LAS dataset 3D View window appears. You can change Background color, Point size factor, and Point budget using this dialog box.

Vertical exaggeration

Vertical exaggeration can be used to emphasize subtle changes. Select from predefined vertical exaggeration conversion factors from the vertical exaggeration drop-down menu on the 3D View window.

Related Topics

3/5/2014