28.1.12. Point Cloud Conversion

NEW in 3.32

Note

These algorithms are only available if QGIS uses the PDAL library version 2.5.0 or newer.

28.1.12.1. Convert format

Converts a point cloud to a different file format, e.g. creates a compressed .LAZ.

Parameters

Label

Name

Type

Description

Input layer

INPUT

[point cloud]

Input point cloud layer to convert

Converted

OUTPUT

[point cloud]

Default: [Save to temporary file]

Specify the point cloud file to use as output. One of:

  • Save to a Temporary File

  • Save to File…

Outputs

Label

Name

Type

Description

Converted

OUTPUT

[point cloud]

Output point cloud layer in a modified file format. Currently supported formats are .LAS, .LAZ, .COPC.LAZ and .VPC.

Python code

Algorithm ID: pdal:convertformat

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.12.2. Export to raster

Exports point cloud data to a 2D raster grid having cell size of given resolution, writing values from the specified attribute.

../../../../_images/point_cloud_exportraster.png

Fig. 28.10 Raster output using Intensity attribute of points

Parameters

Basic parameters

Label

Name

Type

Description

Input layer

INPUT

[point cloud]

Input point cloud layer to export

Attribute

ATTRIBUTE

[field] [enumeration]

A Field of the point cloud layer to extract the values from

Resolution of the density raster

RESOLUTION

[number]

Default: 1.0

Cell size of the output raster

Tile size for parallel runs

TILE_SIZE

[number]

Default: 1000

Exported

OUTPUT

[raster]

Default: [Save to temporary file]

Specify the raster file to export the data to. One of:

  • Save to a Temporary File

  • Save to File…

Advanced parameters

Label

Name

Type

Description

Filter expression

Optional

FILTER_EXPRESSION

[expression]

A PDAL expression for selecting a subset of features in the point cloud data

Cropping extent

Optional

FILTER_EXTENT

[extent]

A map extent for selecting a subset of features in the point cloud data

Available methods are:

  • Calculate from layer…: uses extent of a layer loaded in the current project

  • Calculate from layout map…: uses extent of a layout map item in the active project

  • Calculate from bookmark…: uses extent of a saved bookmark

  • Use map canvas extent

  • Draw on canvas: click and drag a rectangle delimiting the area to take into account

  • Enter the coordinates as xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax

X origin of a tile for parallel runs

Optional

ORIGIN_X

[number]

Y origin of a tile for parallel runs

Optional

ORIGIN_Y

[number]

Outputs

Label

Name

Type

Description

Exported

OUTPUT

[raster]

Output raster layer features of the point cloud layer are exported to. Currently supported format is .TIF.

Python code

Algorithm ID: pdal:exportraster

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.12.3. Export raster (using triangulation)

Exports point cloud data to a 2D raster grid using a triangulation of points and then interpolating cell values from triangles.

Note

Using this algorithm can be slower if you are dealing with a large dataset. If your point cloud is dense, you can export your ground points as a raster using the Export to raster algorithm.

../../../../_images/point_cloud_exportrastertin.png

Fig. 28.11 Terrain raster output generated by point cloud triangulation

Parameters

Basic parameters

Label

Name

Type

Description

Input layer

INPUT

[point cloud]

Input point cloud layer to export

Resolution of the density raster

RESOLUTION

[number]

Default: 1.0

Cell size of the output raster

Tile size for parallel runs

TILE_SIZE

[number]

Default: 1000

Exported

OUTPUT

[raster]

Default: [Save to temporary file]

Specify the raster file to export the data to. One of:

  • Save to a Temporary File

  • Save to File…

Advanced parameters

Label

Name

Type

Description

Filter expression

Optional

FILTER_EXPRESSION

[expression]

A PDAL expression for selecting a subset of features in the point cloud data

Cropping extent

Optional

FILTER_EXTENT

[extent]

A map extent for selecting a subset of features in the point cloud data

Available methods are:

  • Calculate from layer…: uses extent of a layer loaded in the current project

  • Calculate from layout map…: uses extent of a layout map item in the active project

  • Calculate from bookmark…: uses extent of a saved bookmark

  • Use map canvas extent

  • Draw on canvas: click and drag a rectangle delimiting the area to take into account

  • Enter the coordinates as xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax

X origin of a tile for parallel runs

Optional

ORIGIN_X

[number]

Y origin of a tile for parallel runs

Optional

ORIGIN_Y

[number]

Outputs

Label

Name

Type

Description

Exported (using triangulation)

OUTPUT

[raster]

Output raster layer features of the point cloud layer are exported to. Currently supported format is .TIF.

Python code

Algorithm ID: pdal:exportrastertin

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.

28.1.12.4. Export to vector

Exports point cloud data to a vector layer with 3D points (a GeoPackage), optionally with extra attributes.

../../../../_images/point_cloud_exportvector.png

Fig. 28.12 Exporting point cloud (ground points) to a vector layer styled based on the elevation

Parameters

Basic parameters

Label

Name

Type

Description

Input layer

INPUT

[point cloud]

Input point cloud layer to export

Attribute

Optional

ATTRIBUTE

[field] [list]

One or more fields of the point cloud layer to export with the points.

Exported

OUTPUT

[vector]

Default: [Save to temporary file]

Specify the vector file to export the data to. One of:

  • Save to a Temporary File

  • Save to File…

Advanced parameters

Label

Name

Type

Description

Filter expression

Optional

FILTER_EXPRESSION

[expression]

A PDAL expression for selecting a subset of features in the point cloud data

Cropping extent

Optional

FILTER_EXTENT

[extent]

A map extent for selecting a subset of features in the point cloud data

Available methods are:

  • Calculate from layer…: uses extent of a layer loaded in the current project

  • Calculate from layout map…: uses extent of a layout map item in the active project

  • Calculate from bookmark…: uses extent of a saved bookmark

  • Use map canvas extent

  • Draw on canvas: click and drag a rectangle delimiting the area to take into account

  • Enter the coordinates as xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax

Outputs

Label

Name

Type

Description

Exported

OUTPUT

[vector]

Output vector layer features of the point cloud layer are exported to. Currently supported format is .GPKG.

Python code

Algorithm ID: pdal:exportvector

import processing
processing.run("algorithm_id", {parameter_dictionary})

The algorithm id is displayed when you hover over the algorithm in the Processing Toolbox. The parameter dictionary provides the parameter NAMEs and values. See Using processing algorithms from the console for details on how to run processing algorithms from the Python console.