LAS 1.0/1.1 LiDAR data format translation
Project description
libLAS is a BSD library for reading and writing ASPRS LAS version 1.0 and 1.1 data. LAS-formatted data is heavily used in LiDAR processing operations, and the LAS format is a sequential binary format used to store data from sensors and as intermediate processing storage by some applications.
libLAS is available under the terms of the BSD License. It builds on work by Martin Isenburg and Jonathan Shewchuk of the University of North Carolina in their LAStools project. The base C++ library that reads and writes LAS 1.0/1.1 data was replaced with new development, and Martin’s tools were ported to use this new code.
libLAS’ initial development was supported by the IGSB of the Iowa DNR for use in its state-wide LIDAR project.
Download
The latest version of libLAS can be downloaded from http://liblas.org/wiki/Releases
FAQ
The FAQ is available from http://liblas.org/wiki/FAQ
State of the Library
libLAS provides excellent coverage of the ASPRS LAS 1.0 and 1.1 specifications, but it only provides weak support for the concept of variable length records. Notably, libLAS concentrates on reading and writing point data for processing pipelines and it does not concentrate on vendor-specific items for which variable length records would likely be used. It is hoped that libLAS’ coverage of these items will be improved in the future. Contact the Authors if you have money burning a hole in your pocket to implement these items :)
Another deficiency with libLAS as of version 0.9.6 is lack of support for coordinate reference systems descriptions and storage. These are also part of the variable length header operations, but they are required as specified in the 1.0 and 1.1 spec. It is hoped that libLAS will support these operations through the optional linkage of libgeotiff by the time 1.0 is released.
LAS Format Specifications
The LAS Format Standard is maintained by ASPRS Standards Committee. LAS format standard documents are available in PDF format:
LAS 2.0 Format Standard (2007-08-17) - Proposed
LAS 1.2 Format Standard (2008-05-02) - Proposed
LAS 1.1 Format Standard (2005-05-07)
LAS 1.0 Format Standard (2003-05-09)
Documentation
Library Documents
LAS Format Elements - comparison of elements of LAS Format 1.0 and 1.1
Software - list of geospatial software with reading and writing capabilities of LAS Format
Resources - list of LiDAR/LAS resources
Tutorials - Tutorials on C++ and Python APIs
Utilities
Mailing Lists
liblas-devel - http://mail.hobu.net/mailman/listinfo/liblas-devel
liblas-commits - http://mail.hobu.net/mailman/listinfo/liblas-commits
Subversion Tree
The SVN repository URL is available at http://liblas.org/svn
svn checkout http://liblas.org/svn/trunk/
License
libLAS is available under the terms of the BSD License. See License for a copy.
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