Point File Information (3D Analyst)
Summary
Generates a new output feature class containing statistical information about one or more point files.
Illustration
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Usage
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Input file(s) must be in either a LAS, XYZ, XYZI, or GENERATE format.
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When a folder containing point data files is selected as input the suffix must be entered. If a single file is selected as input the suffix is not a requirement.
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When the summarize option is not used the statistical information presented in the feature attribute table consists of the point count, average point spacing, z minimum, and z maximum of each point file entered. A separate row is created for each input file encountered. The point spacing is an estimate that assumes the points within the input file are evenly spaced over the XY extent of each input file.
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An output polygon feature class is created with the XY extents of the input file(s). Alternatively, Multipatch features can be generated by utilizing z minimum and z maximum extent information for each input file. These provide a 3D bounding box representation that can be viewed in ArcScene or ArcGlobe.
The summarize option is useful to statistical summarize information for each class code in the input file, but can is expensive as each file must be scanned and analyzed.
The point spacing reported by Point File Information is not exact, it is an estimate. The point spacing given is a summary when looking at trends for collections of files. The tool uses a rough estimate that simply compares the area of the file's bounding box with the point count. It is most accurate when the rectangular extent of the file being examined is filled with data. Files with points over large water bodies or on the perimeter of a study area, only partially occupied with data, will not produce accurate estimates.
Syntax
| Parameter | Explanation | Data Type |
input |
One or more point data files or folders. | File; Folder |
out_feature_class |
The output feature class. | Feature Class |
in_file_type |
The format of the input file(s). Input file(s) must be in either a LAS, XYZ, XYZI, or GENERATE format. | String |
file_suffix |
The suffix of the files to import when a folder is specified on input. | String |
input_coordinate_system (Optional) |
The coordinate system of the input data. | Coordinate System |
summarize_by_class_code (Optional) |
Scans through the LAS files and analyzes the class code values. The attribute table of the output feature class will contain statistical information for each class code encountered.
| Boolean |
folder_recursion (Optional) |
Scans through subfolders when an input folder is selected containing data in a subfolders directory. The output feature class will be generated with a row for each file encountered in the directory structure.
| Boolean |
extrude_geometry (Optional) |
A 3D multipatch feature class will be generated based on the z minimum / maximum values of each input file.
| Boolean |
decimal_separator (Optional) |
Separator symbol used in ASCII files. The default is decimal point. Allows user to declare if decimal symbol used in file(s) is a point or comma. | String |
Code Sample
The following Python Window script demonstrates how to use the Point File Information function in immediate mode.
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.PointFileInformation_3d(env.workspace, "Test.gdb/two_las", "LAS", "las", "Coordinate Systems/Projected Coordinate Systems/UTM/NAD 1983/NAD 1983 UTM Zone 17N.prj", True, True, "DECIMAL_POINT", True)
The following Python script demonstrates how to use the Point File Information function in a stand-alone script.
'''****************************************************************************
Name: PointFileInformation Example
Description: This script demonstrates how to use the
PointFileInformation tool to create an output file that contains
all LAS files under a parent folder.
****************************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
import exceptions, sys, traceback
try:
# Obtain a license for the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/data"
lidarList = arcpy.ListFiles("*.las")
if lidarList:
# Set Local Variables
outputFC = "Test.gdb/output_las_info"
prj = "Coordinate Systems/Geographic Coordinate Systems/World/WGS 1984.prj"
extrudeGeom = True # Indicates whether to create extruded geometry shapes
sumClass = True # Indicates whether to summarize output by class code
decSep = "DECIMAL_POINT" # Identifies the decimal separator
#Execute PointFileInformation
arcpy.PointFileInformation_3d(lidarList, outputFC, "LAS", "las", prj,
"", extrudeGeom, decSep, sumClass)
print "Finished executing Point File Information."
else:
print "There are no LAS files in {0}.".format(env.workspace)
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)