Laspy

Laspy is a python library for reading, modifying and creating LAS LiDAR files.

Laspy is compatible with Python 3.8+.

Features

LAS support.
LAZ support via lazrs or laszip backend.
LAS/LAZ streamed/chunked reading/writting.
COPC support over files.
COPC support over https with requests package.
CRS support via pyproj package.

Examples

Directly read and write las

import laspy

las = laspy.read('filename.las')
las.points = las.points[las.classification == 2]
las.write('ground.laz')

Open data to inspect header (opening only reads the header and vlrs)

import laspy

with laspy.open('filename.las') as f:
    print(f"Point format:       {f.header.point_format}")
    print(f"Number of points:   {f.header.point_count}")
    print(f"Number of vlrs:     {len(f.header.vlrs)}")

Use the 'chunked' reading & writing features

import laspy

with laspy.open('big.laz') as input_las:
    with laspy.open('ground.laz', mode="w", header=input_las.header) as ground_las:
        for points in input_las.chunk_iterator(2_000_000):
            ground_las.write_points(points[points.classification == 2])

Appending points to existing file

import laspy

with laspy.open('big.laz') as input_las:
    with laspy.open('ground.laz', mode="a") as ground_las:
        for points in input_las.chunk_iterator(2_000_000):
            ground_las.append_points(points[points.classification == 2])

API Documentation and tutorials are available at ReadTheDocs.

Installation

Laspy can be installed either with pip:

pip install laspy # without LAZ support
# Or
pip install laspy[laszip] # with LAZ support via LASzip
# Or
pip install laspy[lazrs] # with LAZ support via lazrs