LAS / LAZ

LAS is an open and standardised binary file format developed by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) for storing 3D point cloud data generated by LiDAR systems. It retains detailed information about each point, such as X, Y, Z coordinates, intensity, classification, return number, and timestamp.

LAZ is the compressed version of the LAS format, offering significantly smaller file sizes without loss of data quality. It is commonly used to facilitate faster data transfer, storage efficiency, and processing of large-scale LiDAR datasets.

Both formats are widely adopted in surveying, infrastructure planning, forestry, environmental analysis, and 3D modelling workflows. LAS and LAZ files are supported by numerous GIS and point cloud processing tools, making them integral to efficient spatial data management and digital twin creation.

See also: FLS, Point Cloud Formats