LAS

LAS is a standardized binary file format extensively used for storing, processing, and exchanging LiDAR point cloud data. LAS was specially created for use in laser scanning and serves as an efficient means of organizing large amounts of three-dimensional geospatial data. As an example, a typical LAS file may contain X, Y, and Z coordinates, height, intensity, return number, classification, scan angle, GPS time stamp, and RGB value if applicable.

The main purpose of LAS files is to store data obtained through airborne, terrestrial, mobile, and drone LiDAR surveys. They have a broad range of application in various industries like GIS, remote sensing, surveying, forestry, construction, mining, urban planning, infrastructure inspection, and environmental analysis. Standardized format ensures compatibility with geospatial applications and LiDAR processing software.

As LiDAR surveys may contain millions or even billions of separate points, LAS format represents a good solution for organizing such data. Possible applications of LAS files may include digital elevation models, digital surface models, terrain analysis, building extraction, vegetation mapping, powerline analysis, flood modeling, and point cloud classification. In addition, compressed LAZ files may be used as an alternative to LAS format while maintaining all the information about point clouds.