{"id":47489,"date":"2021-01-04T12:15:52","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T18:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/?p=47489"},"modified":"2025-04-05T21:31:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-06T02:31:33","slug":"lidar-software-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/lidar-software-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Best Free LiDAR Software Tools and Viewers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"414\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Free-LiDAR-Software-678x414.jpg\" alt=\"Free LiDAR Software\" class=\"wp-image-97507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Free-LiDAR-Software-678x414.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Free-LiDAR-Software-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Free-LiDAR-Software-768x468.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Free-LiDAR-Software.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Download open source LiDAR software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Free LiDAR software can be a bit like <strong>finding Bigfoot<\/strong>&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mysterious in nature. Fuzzy sightings. Some people may even think it&#8217;s folklore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But to your surprise, <strong>open source LiDAR software<\/strong> does exist. And unlike the Sasquatch, we have proven that it exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It all starts with my number one &#8220;go-to&#8221; geospatial analysis toolbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let there be light detection and ranging.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. QGIS 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#1 LiDAR software for 3D point cloud viewing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_926aa1-ef{justify-content:flex-start;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_926aa1-ef{justify-content:flex-start;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons47489_926aa1-ef alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-47489_7ca9ee-fe .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_7ca9ee-fe .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_7ca9ee-fe\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_92ea20-04 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_92ea20-04 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_92ea20-04\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_4caebf-9a .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_4caebf-9a .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_4caebf-9a\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_a2821f-0d .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_a2821f-0d .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_a2821f-0d\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_889593-b6 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_889593-b6 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_889593-b6\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star-half-alt\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 536 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M508.55 171.51L362.18 150.2 296.77 17.81C290.89 5.98 279.42 0 267.95 0c-11.4 0-22.79 5.9-28.69 17.81l-65.43 132.38-146.38 21.29c-26.25 3.8-36.77 36.09-17.74 54.59l105.89 103-25.06 145.48C86.98 495.33 103.57 512 122.15 512c4.93 0 10-1.17 14.87-3.75l130.95-68.68 130.94 68.7c4.86 2.55 9.92 3.71 14.83 3.71 18.6 0 35.22-16.61 31.66-37.4l-25.03-145.49 105.91-102.98c19.04-18.5 8.52-50.8-17.73-54.6zm-121.74 123.2l-18.12 17.62 4.28 24.88 19.52 113.45-102.13-53.59-22.38-11.74.03-317.19 51.03 103.29 11.18 22.63 25.01 3.64 114.23 16.63-82.65 80.38z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4.5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-678x180.png\" alt=\"UAV LiDAR\" class=\"wp-image-49944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-678x180.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-768x204.png 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-1536x408.png 1536w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-50x13.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-200x53.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-425x113.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-550x146.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-115x31.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-1265x336.png 1265w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-360x96.png 360w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR-1550x412.png 1550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/QGIS-3-UAV-LiDAR.png 1656w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Introducing: LiDAR in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qgis.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">QGIS 3<\/a>. The point cloud visuals are impressive as you can now natively zoom, pan, and fly around in a 3D environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, we like that you can drag and drop LAS and LAZ files. There\u2019s no need to transform to an intermediate format because QGIS 3 can handle the <strong>raw point cloud format<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are options to symbolize point clouds based on class, height, and RGB attributes. But it doesn\u2019t have much for LiDAR analysis just yet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Fugro Viewer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#1 freeware LiDAR software for ease of use and 3D viewing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_d63fc9-aa{justify-content:flex-start;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_d63fc9-aa{justify-content:flex-start;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons47489_d63fc9-aa alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-47489_656f9a-e8 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_656f9a-e8 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_656f9a-e8\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_f6513a-bd .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_f6513a-bd .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_f6513a-bd\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_6b8e44-86 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_6b8e44-86 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_6b8e44-86\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_7e3924-79 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_7e3924-79 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_7e3924-79\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star-half-alt\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 536 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M508.55 171.51L362.18 150.2 296.77 17.81C290.89 5.98 279.42 0 267.95 0c-11.4 0-22.79 5.9-28.69 17.81l-65.43 132.38-146.38 21.29c-26.25 3.8-36.77 36.09-17.74 54.59l105.89 103-25.06 145.48C86.98 495.33 103.57 512 122.15 512c4.93 0 10-1.17 14.87-3.75l130.95-68.68 130.94 68.7c4.86 2.55 9.92 3.71 14.83 3.71 18.6 0 35.22-16.61 31.66-37.4l-25.03-145.49 105.91-102.98c19.04-18.5 8.52-50.8-17.73-54.6zm-121.74 123.2l-18.12 17.62 4.28 24.88 19.52 113.45-102.13-53.59-22.38-11.74.03-317.19 51.03 103.29 11.18 22.63 25.01 3.64 114.23 16.63-82.65 80.38z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_1eb37b-8d .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_1eb37b-8d .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_1eb37b-8d\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3.5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"373\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-678x373.jpg\" alt=\"Fugro Viewer\" class=\"wp-image-47517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-678x373.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-768x423.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-200x110.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-425x234.jpg 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-550x303.jpg 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-115x63.jpg 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-1265x697.jpg 1265w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer-360x198.jpg 360w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fugro-Viewer.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This LiDAR freeware package is something you can just pick up and go with. It&#8217;s the type of software that you point and click to make things happen. For example, you can do the following with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fugro.com\/expertise\/other-expertise\/fugroviewer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fugro Viewer<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Displays contours or TIN shaded relief<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>View point cloud data by elevation, classification, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build two-dimensional profiles and measure distances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create side-by-side viewports in 3D and 2D<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you download this software, just keep in mind that this <strong>LiDAR viewer is freeware<\/strong>. The strings attached are that the license ends and you will have to renew it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So enjoy it when it lasts. For viewing purposes, we&#8217;ve rated it as the highest because of its unique 3D capabilities. I personally like the point-and-click options.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Plas.io<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#1 web-based LiDAR viewer with neat visualization utilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_9b45b9-ea{justify-content:flex-start;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_9b45b9-ea{justify-content:flex-start;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons47489_9b45b9-ea alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-47489_d36f4f-eb .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_d36f4f-eb .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_d36f4f-eb\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_6b6177-bd .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_6b6177-bd .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_6b6177-bd\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_1cc84f-51 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_1cc84f-51 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_1cc84f-51\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_297669-ca .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_297669-ca .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_297669-ca\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_465ecf-04 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_465ecf-04 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_465ecf-04\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3.0 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-678x334.jpg\" alt=\"Plasio\" class=\"wp-image-47534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-678x334.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-300x148.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-768x379.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-1536x758.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-50x25.jpg 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-200x99.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-425x210.jpg 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-550x271.jpg 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-115x57.jpg 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-1265x624.jpg 1265w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-360x178.jpg 360w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio-1550x764.jpg 1550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Plasio.jpg 1902w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>How about viewing LiDAR data in a browser? Is this possible? <a href=\"https:\/\/plas.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plas.io<\/a> is the only browser-based LiDAR viewer to consume point cloud data (LAS or LAZ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of its highlights include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exaggerating vertical heights (z-values)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choosing an attribute to display such as height, classification, or RGB<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Functional implementation of the ASPRS LAS format<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you add a LAS file, visualization is smooth leveraging WebGL. As you switch your camera angle, you can choose perspective, orthographic, or a top-down view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>PRO TIP:<\/strong> Test out the inundation utility at the bottom of the right panel. As you turn up the water levels in the slider, the display shows where inundation occurs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. SAGA GIS (System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses)<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_385aba-ba{justify-content:flex-start;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_385aba-ba{justify-content:flex-start;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons47489_385aba-ba alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-47489_4d8e0b-3f .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_4d8e0b-3f .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_4d8e0b-3f\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_eaa2c4-93 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_eaa2c4-93 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_eaa2c4-93\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_2d3131-4d .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_2d3131-4d .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_2d3131-4d\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_abec84-72 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_abec84-72 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_abec84-72\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_188174-df .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_188174-df .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_188174-df\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2.0 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image47489_bf6d7f-65 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}.kb-image47489_bf6d7f-65 img.kb-img, .kb-image47489_bf6d7f-65 .kb-img img{border-top:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-right:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-bottom:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-left:1px solid #b9b9b9;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-image47489_bf6d7f-65 img.kb-img, .kb-image47489_bf6d7f-65 .kb-img img{border-top:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-right:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-bottom:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-left:1px solid #b9b9b9;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-image47489_bf6d7f-65 img.kb-img, .kb-image47489_bf6d7f-65 .kb-img img{border-top:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-right:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-bottom:1px solid #b9b9b9;border-left:1px solid #b9b9b9;}}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image47489_bf6d7f-65 size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/SAGA-GIS-LiDAR-Viewer-678x363.jpg\" alt=\"SAGA GIS LiDAR Viewer\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-97502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/SAGA-GIS-LiDAR-Viewer-678x363.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/SAGA-GIS-LiDAR-Viewer-300x161.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/SAGA-GIS-LiDAR-Viewer-768x412.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/SAGA-GIS-LiDAR-Viewer.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>SAGA GIS is not a point cloud data specialist. But if you have LiDAR data, SAGA GIS can import them into the application. Further, you can update its color ramp, and change the value you want to display your LiDAR data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It does not have a thorough list of LiDAR tools. Albeit, they&#8217;re not organized very well. For instance, you cannot natively transform a LAS file into a 3D view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, you have to convert it into a grid format. Once you have it in this format, it&#8217;s this raster format where possibilities are endless in SAGA GIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/saga-gis-review-guide\/\">SAGA GIS (System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses)<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.saga-gis.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download SAGA GIS<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. GRASS: Geographic Resources Analysis Support System<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_1f0752-14{justify-content:flex-start;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_1f0752-14{justify-content:flex-start;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons47489_1f0752-14 alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-47489_0c4b78-3f .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_0c4b78-3f .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_0c4b78-3f\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_bb8d00-7b .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_bb8d00-7b .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_bb8d00-7b\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_268090-22 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_268090-22 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_268090-22\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_720e10-a1 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_720e10-a1 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_720e10-a1\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_254f46-6d .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_254f46-6d .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_254f46-6d\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2.0 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GRASS-3D.jpg\" alt=\"GRASS 3D\" class=\"wp-image-96562\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GRASS-3D.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GRASS-3D-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GRASS-3D-678x305.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GRASS-3D-768x346.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>v.in.lidar is how to convert a LAS file into a GRASS vector. You can filter LiDAR points, create contours, and generate DEMs. Next time you see a LAS file, see what GRASS can do with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s the setup that kills me for GRASS GIS. I just want to get out and run. But when you start the application, there are a million parameters you have to set up on the start screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Listen, I love GRASS GIS as much as the next guy. The tools are impressive, but they can be a bit clunky at times as we\u2019ve shown in our review for GRASS GIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/grass-gis-geographic-resources-analysis-support-system\/\">GRASS GIS Review<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/grass.osgeo.org\/download\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download GRASS GIS<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Whitebox GAT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#1 LiDAR software for analysis and point cloud manipulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_0e584b-2b{justify-content:flex-start;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons47489_0e584b-2b{justify-content:flex-start;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons47489_0e584b-2b alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-47489_bd3409-62 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_bd3409-62 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_bd3409-62\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 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kb-svg-icon-fas_star\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M259.3 17.8L194 150.2 47.9 171.5c-26.2 3.8-36.7 36.1-17.7 54.6l105.7 103-25 145.5c-4.5 26.3 23.2 46 46.4 33.7L288 439.6l130.7 68.7c23.2 12.2 50.9-7.4 46.4-33.7l-25-145.5 105.7-103c19-18.5 8.5-50.8-17.7-54.6L382 150.2 316.7 17.8c-11.7-23.6-45.6-23.9-57.4 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-item-47489_1c5150-49 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-47489_1c5150-49 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#f0bb01;font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-47489_1c5150-49\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_star-half-alt\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 536 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M508.55 171.51L362.18 150.2 296.77 17.81C290.89 5.98 279.42 0 267.95 0c-11.4 0-22.79 5.9-28.69 17.81l-65.43 132.38-146.38 21.29c-26.25 3.8-36.77 36.09-17.74 54.59l105.89 103-25.06 145.48C86.98 495.33 103.57 512 122.15 512c4.93 0 10-1.17 14.87-3.75l130.95-68.68 130.94 68.7c4.86 2.55 9.92 3.71 14.83 3.71 18.6 0 35.22-16.61 31.66-37.4l-25.03-145.49 105.91-102.98c19.04-18.5 8.52-50.8-17.73-54.6zm-121.74 123.2l-18.12 17.62 4.28 24.88 19.52 113.45-102.13-53.59-22.38-11.74.03-317.19 51.03 103.29 11.18 22.63 25.01 3.64 114.23 16.63-82.65 80.38z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4.5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"488\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR.jpg\" alt=\"WhiteboxGAT LiDAR\" class=\"has-border-color has-theme-palette-6-border-color wp-image-97490\" style=\"border-width:1px;width:650px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-678x331.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-768x375.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/jblindsay.github.io\/ghrg\/WhiteboxTools\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WhiteBox GAT<\/a> (Geospatial Analysis Tools) has outstanding LIDAR tools! For an open source toolbox, it deserves much more attention than it currently gets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, it puts a lot of emphasis on its LiDAR tools. Here&#8217;s some of the stuff you can do:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"286\" height=\"483\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-Toolbox.png\" alt=\"WhiteboxGAT LiDAR Toolbox\" class=\"wp-image-47513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-Toolbox.png 286w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-Toolbox-178x300.png 178w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-Toolbox-30x50.png 30w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-Toolbox-118x200.png 118w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-Toolbox-252x425.png 252w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-LiDAR-Toolbox-115x194.png 115w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 286px) 100vw, 286px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create Bare-Earth DEM or canopy models<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Convert LAS to ASCII, shapefile, or multipoint<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adaptive Minimum Interpolation or IDW<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LiDAR histogram, summaries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hex-binning, LAS footprint, point density<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It all starts by dropping your LAS file into the map. The display is intuitive as there is a range of display options including &#8211; elevation (z), intensity, class, scan angle, and GPS time. However, it does not have any 3D viewing capabilities (yet).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you run a tool, check that you have all the necessary inputs. It can be a bit finicky in this regard. During a processing operation, the progress is displayed in the bottom right corner to show how much longer you have to wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the process finishes running, the output will be added to your map. You can check it in the &#8220;Layers&#8221; tab in your table of contents. The layout is like any typical <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/gis-software\/\">GIS software<\/a> except that your tools, layers, and features are in the same panel.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-550x311.jpg\" alt=\"WhiteboxGAT Intensity\" class=\"wp-image-47494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-550x311.jpg 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-678x383.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-174x98.jpg 174w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-425x240.jpg 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-115x65.jpg 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity-360x203.jpg 360w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/WhiteboxGAT-Intensity.jpg 1046w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/whitebox-gat-geospatial-analysis-toolbox\/\">WhiteboxGAT Review<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/jblindsay.github.io\/ghrg\/Whitebox\/download.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download Whitebox GAT<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Free LiDAR Software and Viewers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>From viewers to desktop applications, these are the best free LiDAR software tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you&#8217;re looking for some data just to work with, try out our <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/top-6-free-lidar-data-sources\/\">free LiDAR data sources<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/free-uav-drone-imagery\/\">UAV imagery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or maybe you&#8217;re just looking to find out what LiDAR is? Then, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/lidar-light-detection-and-ranging\/\">Guide to Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for reading, and of course please give us your thoughts in our comment section below.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From viewers to desktop applications, these are the best and free LiDAR software tools for visualization, analysis, and conversion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":97507,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[527,491],"class_list":["post-47489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-software","tag-remote-sensing-software","tag-specialized-software"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ 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