This manual and associated videos introduce the capability of ArcGIS Pro® to process lidar data. This manual was constructed using ArcGIS Pro® version 3.4.3. ArcGIS Pro® automatically updates (discussed in Chapter 1) and thus introduces or changes processes regularly. Users of this manual do not require prior knowledge of ArcGIS Pro® as we introduce basic uses as it relates to vector data. This manual introduces lidar in ArcGIS Pro®; it is not a comprehensive user’s manual for lidar analysis or the use of ArcGIS Pro®.

Please note that you will also need to have the Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst Extensions, along with the Spatial Analyst, LAS Dataset, and 3D Analyst toolbars in ArcGIS Pro®. An organizational account is required to use ArcGIS Pro®. For more specifics on ArcGIS Pro and license requirements, visit https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-pro/resources.

Lidar (light detection and ranging) is one of several data forms found within the field of Remote Sensing. Lidar imagery is distinctive through its ability to provide remarkable levels of precision and detail, and elevation information. Using lidar data, users can extract vegetation height, structure, and terrain elevation information. It is an extremely powerful form of imagery that will continue to increase in significance. Lidar data can be acquired using an array of platforms, including uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS/drones), crewed aircraft (copter and fixed wing), satellites, stationary equipment, and either an aerial-based or ground-based point cloud. This manual only covers the processing of aerial-acquired point clouds.

This manual expands student access to remote sensing analysis by introducing students to using ArcGIS Pro® capabilities to process lidar data, facilitating access to software that can extract information from remotely sensed data. This manual does not cover remote sensing fundamentals and users of the manual should refer to remote sensing textbooks, such as suggested in the list of potential references below. Further, users of this manual should remain aware of the distinctions between GIS analysis and the practice of remote sensing, which often use similar software, but requires mastery of much different knowledge bases.

Most of these tutorials are designed to be completed in sequence, as each tutorial builds on knowledge acquired from preceding tutorials. However, some tutorials can be completed independently—we will identify these within this introduction. For example, if you have a knowledge of ArcGIS Pro, you can start with Chapter 7. Locating Lidar Data.

Data Used with this Manual

All data used within this manual were downloaded from various websites, and the website URLs are identified in each chapter as they are downloaded. However, in the event of any of those sites not being available at the time this manual is used, the data can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/LidarData. The data on this website is organized as outlined in Table 1. Please note, however, that the data found at this site was downloaded during the writing of this manual and may not be the most current update of the data.

The LAS form of Lidar data is that which can be used within ArcGIS Pro® and is required for compliance with USGS lidar standard. For specifics on Esri standards, see http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/manage-data/las-dataset/lidar-point-classification.htm.

For details on USGS lidar specifications and standards, please reference: https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/ss/lidar-base-specification?qt-science_support_page_related_con=0#qt-science_support_page_related_con

For complete details on LAS Specifications, the current specification standards and for reading the LAS header information, please see the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) files at:

http://www.asprs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LAS_1_4_r14.pdf

Specifics on Each Section and Associated Chapters

Section 1 (Chapters 1-6)

The first section is named ArcGIS Pro® Basics and includes Chapters 1 through 6. If you have knowledge of ArcGIS Pro® basics, skip to Chapter 7. In ArcGIS Pro®, maps are no longer named and saved as map documents (.mxd), they are now called projects and additional files (geodatabases, toolboxes, etc.) are created simultaneously with a new project. So, in Chapter 1 this manual introduces map templates and map scenes and the process of creating a new project. In ArcGIS Pro®, ArcCatalog is no longer a separate program but is part of the project process, so Chapter 2 introduces using the catalog view and the catalog pane for managing data in a project. Chapter 3 provides step-by-step instructions on adding vector data (points, lines and polygons), and provides the URL to download specific vector files to use. Chapter 4 uses the vector data downloaded in Chapter 3 to demonstrate where to find and how to use attributes tables. Chapter 5 provides instructions on symbology of the same vector files, where to find the symbology tools and choosing symbology. Although the maps are now called projects, map documents (.mxd) created in other GIS programs can be imported into a project, so in the final chapter of ArcGIS Pro® Basics (Chapter 6), this manual demonstrates how to open and use a map document created in another GIS program.

Section 2 (Chapters 7-9)

Section 2 reviews lidar data discovery—locating and downloading lidar data and information about the downloaded data. Many lidar data can be located and downloaded via the internet, free of charge. However, you must be careful of the site selected and the standards used as the data was acquired and processed. Many data can be found via government sources. Chapter 7 covers identifying and downloading .las files from local, state and international sources and then Chapter 8 demonstrates the process of locating and downloading lidar data from the National Map Viewer. The data that is found at the National Map Viewer can be locally acquired data, it just conforms to USGS and ASPRS standards, thus is housed by the U.S. Federal Government. Chapter 9 reviews how to access and read metadata for lidar data downloaded from the sources used in Chapters 7 and 8.

Section 3 (Chapters 10-14)

This section uses the data downloaded in Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 to introduce users of this manual to setting up ArcGIS Pro® for lidar data, basics on tools that become enabled when lidar data are added to a project and some basic processing of lidar data. Specifically, Chapter 10 demonstrates the difference between a map template (2D) and a map scene (3D) for lidar data. Chapter 11 explores the metadata that displays once lidar data are added to a project and where this metadata can be viewed. Chapter 12 introduces the shortcut tools that become automatically enabled when lidar data are added to a project. Because lidar data are large datasets, when downloaded for a specific area, you are downloading several datasets, labeled as separate “tiles”. Chapter 13 demonstrates how to create one dataset from multiple lidar tiles. The final chapter in this section, Chapter 14, demonstrates how to add one or more additional lidar tiles to an existing dataset.

Section 4 (Chapters 15-17)

All chapters in Section 4 cover displaying lidar data. Chapter 15 discusses basic display settings. Chapter 16 demonstrates symbology settings. Chapter 17 demonstrates a profile view—the ability to see a vertical display of the lidar point cloud.

Section 5 (Chapters 18-21)

Section 5 is the most time-intensive section of this book as it discusses classifying lidar points in a point cloud. Chapter 18 introduces classification schemes within the standards of the ASPRS and the USGS and those available within ArcGIS Pro®. Chapter 19 demonstrates point by point classification methods. Chapter 20 reviews geoprocessing tools that allow processing of mass number of points and the final chapter, Chapter 21, demonstrates some of these tools.

Section 6 (Chapters 22-24)

The final section of this manual, Section 6, reviews additional processing options for lidar point clouds. Chapter 22 demonstrates creating a digital elevation model from classified points. Please note–to create a digital elevation model, the lidar point cloud classification must be completed first. The final two chapters cover the topic of Surface Constraints. Surface Constraints can be applied during classification processes or prior to creating new datasets from an existing classified point cloud. Chapter 23 describes the various types of surface constraints and Chapter 24 demonstrates using surface constraints and the resulting files.

Geospatial video tutorials associated with an array of topics are provided on the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program/VirginiaView YouTube Channel to support geospatial education. We anticipate that lidar tutorials to accompany this text will be published at this location at a later date: https://www.youtube.com/user/VaGeoExtension

Disclaimer

These chapters, and associated video tutorials, merely serve as an introduction to the use of Lidar data in ArcGIS Pro® for remote sensing analyses. These tutorials do not cover all the tools and methods available within ArcGIS Pro®. ArcGIS Pro® on-line help provides additional information on other tools and functions. These tutorials should not substitute for Lidar or remote sensing textbooks, which present the concepts and context that support knowledge for the decisions that you make when processing your Lidar data in ArcGIS Pro®, specifically with regards to some of the settings you must choose when using the different tools. For most of these tutorials, we are using default settings within the tools. In some instances, we do explore alternative settings, for example in Chapter 22. Creating a Digital Elevation Model, but we are only showing the user examples of what the different settings produce and not making recommendations on the settings required for a particular dataset or project. We recommend consulting the current academic literature for the appropriate processing and settings for your individual analyses.

This book is not a substitute for remote sensing textbooks, which present the concepts and context that support application of the techniques covered here. We encourage use of this book in the context of a more complete program to cover the information and concepts that support the applications presented here.