## DESCRIPTION

v.out.lidar converts GRASS vector map to a LiDAR point clouds in LAS format using the libLAS library.

The -r flag limits the export to the current computational region extent (see g.region). The where option limits the export by attributes (applied only when the columns are used for export).

LAS format stores the coordinates as integers rounding the decimal places. Before that a scale is applied to preserve a certain number of decimal places. This scale can be set using las_xyscale and las_xscale options. For example, the scale value 0.01 will preserve two decimal places while the value 1.0 will preserve none.

## NOTES

The typical file extensions for the LAS format are .las and .laz (compressed). The compressed LAS (.laz) format can be exported only if libLAS has been compiled with LASzip support. It is also good when libLAS was compiled with GDAL. This is needed when working with projections.

## EXAMPLE

Generate fractal surface and export is as point in LAS format:

    g.region raster=elevation res=100
    r.surf.fractal output=fractals
    r.to.vect input=fractals output=fractals type=point -z
    v.out.lidar input=fractals output=fractals.las

## REFERENCES

ASPRS LAS format
LAS library

## AUTHOR

Vaclav Petras

Last changed: $Date$