Add Files To LAS Dataset (Data Management)

License Level:BasicStandardAdvanced

Summary

Adds references for one or more LAS files and surface constraint features to a LAS dataset.

Usage

Syntax

AddFilesToLasDataset_management (in_las_dataset, {in_files}, {folder_recursion}, {in_surface_constraints})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_las_dataset

The input LAS dataset.

LAS Dataset Layer
in_files
[in_files,...]
(Optional)

Input files can reference any combination of individual LAS files and folders containing LAS data.

Folder; File
folder_recursion
(Optional)

Specifies whether lidar data residing in the subdirectories of an input folder would get added to the LAS dataset.

  • NO_RECURSIONOnly lidar files found in an input folder will be added to the LAS dataset. This is the default.
  • RECURSIONAll LAS files residing in the subdirectories of an input folder will be added to the LAS dataset.
Boolean
in_surface_constraints
[[in_feature_class, height_field, SF_type],...]
(Optional)

The feature classes that will be referenced by the LAS dataset. Each feature will need the following properties defined:

in_feature_class—The feature class to be referenced by the LAS dataset.

height_field—The field that specifies the source of elevation values for the features. Any numeric field in the feature's attribute table can be used. If the feature supports z-values, the feature geometry can be read by selecting the Shape.Z option. If no height is desired, specify the keyword <None> to create Z-less features whose elevation would be interpolated from the surface.

SF_type—The surface feature type that defines how the feature geometry gets incorporated into the triangulation for the surface. Options with hard or soft designation refer to whether the feature edges represent distinct breaks in slope or a gradual change.

  • anchorpoints—Elevation points that never get thinned away. This option is only available for single-point feature geometry.
  • hardline or softline—Breaklines that enforce a height value.
  • hardclip or softclip—Polygon dataset that defines the boundary of the LAS dataset.
  • harderase or softerase—Polygon dataset that defines holes in the LAS dataset.
  • hardreplace or softreplace—Polygon dataset that defines areas of constant height.
Value Table

Code Sample

AddFilesToLasDataset example 1 (Python window)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window:

import arcpy
from arcpy import env

env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.AddFilesToLasDataset_management("test.lasd", 
                                      ["LA_N", "LA_S/LA_5S4E.las"],
                                      "RECURSION", 
                                      ["boundary.shp <None> Soft_Clip",
                                       "breakline.shp Shape.Z Hard_Line"])
AddFilesToLasDataset example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script:

'''*********************************************************************
Name: Modify Files in LAS Dataset& Calculate Stats for LASD
Description: Adds files & surface constraints to a LAS dataset, then 
             calculates statistics and generates report.
*********************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
import exceptions, sys, traceback

try:
    # Script variables
    env.workspace = 'C:/data'
    lasd = 'sample.lasd'
    oldLas = ['2006', '2007/file2.las']
    newLas = ['2007_updates_1', '2007_updates_2']
    oldSurfaceConstraints = ['boundary.shp', 'streams.shp']
    newSurfaceConstraints = [['sample.gdb/boundary', '<None>', 
                              'Soft_Clip']
                             ['sample.gdb/streams', 'Shape.Z', 
                              'Hard_Line']]
    arcpy.management.RemoveFilesFromLasDataset(lasd, oldLas, 
                                               oldSurfaceConstraints)
    arcpy.management.AddFilesToLasDataset(lasd, newLas, 'RECURSION', 
                                          newSurfaceConstraints)
    arcpy.management.LasDatasetStatistics(lasd, "UPDATED_FILES", 
                                          "lasd_stats.txt", 
                                          "LAS_FILE", "DECIMAL_POINT", 
                                          "SPACE", "LAS_summary.txt")
except arcpy.ExecuteError:
    print arcpy.GetMessages()
except:
    # Get the traceback object
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0]
    # Concatenate error information into message string
    pymsg = "PYTHON ERRORS:\nTraceback info:\n{0}\nError Info:\n{1}"\
          .format(tbinfo, str(sys.exc_info()[1]))
    msgs = "ArcPy ERRORS:\n {0}\n".format(arcpy.GetMessages(2))
    # Return python error messages for script tool or Python Window
    arcpy.AddError(pymsg)
    arcpy.AddError(msgs)

Environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Requires 3D Analyst or Spatial Analyst
ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Yes
ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes
11/18/2013