Find & export point cloud data layers

In this guide, we give a quick introduction to the process of finding and exporting point cloud data layers.

1. Enter your search term

The first thing you need to do is enter a term in the search bar at the top of the data browser.

2. Filter your results.

Use the search filters to browse your results. Under Data Type, select Point Clouds. You can also filter by Date, License, Group and Access.

3. To find more information on the data, select its card to open the data sheet

The data sheet includes details such as the dates the data was added and updated, its licence, and technical details, including the number of points.

The Point Cloud Characteristics section shows the classifications and dimensions in the data.

4. Add your data

Select Map on the card for each layer you want to add to your map.

Repeat steps 1-4 to add multiple data layers to your collection.

5. Select Export

In the map viewer, select Export.

6. Crop your data

Once you have explored and chosen to export your dataset, you may only need to download a small part of it.

To crop your data, select Add Crop under the preview map in the export window. See Crop data layers by box.

Then, manipulate the crop extent to select only the desired area. This will keep you from downloading extra data that you don’t need from outside that area.

7. Choose your format

You can export point clouds as:

• LAZ (the default, as a Cloud Optimized Point Cloud, COPC)
• LAS
• GeoPackage, Shapefile, Geodatabase or CSV, which export the points as point features
• ReCap RCS
• DWG with RCS

If the export window offers a vertical coordinate reference system, you can choose one as well as the horizontal one.

8. Select Create Export

You’ll get an email with a link when your export is ready, unless you’ve turned off download-ready emails. You can also track it in the top navigation and download the .zip file from there.

Note: point cloud exports can be much larger than other exports.