Merging the LiDAR data with LASTools

After clipping the four separate LiDAR files, the next task is to merge them into one.

• Open the Windows command prompt:Win + X then Command prompt
• Navigate to the project folder: CD C:\GossanHill
• My project folder contains these items:

las2las.exe
las2txt.exe
lasinfo.exe
laszip.exe
NE.las
NW.las
SE.las
SW.las

• Enter a command like this: las2las -i SW.las SE.las NW.las NE.las -merged -o Merged.las
• las2las is the program to run
• The -i SW.las SE.las NW.las NE.las part represents the input files
• The -o Merged.las is the name of the output file we want to create.
• -merged is the instruction to merge the files

The program runs for a little while, then you’ll see that a new file Merged.las has been created. It is roughly the same size as all the input files in total.

I no longer need the large clipped LiDAR files, so I delete them.

This article is part of the Orienteering Mapping with LiDAR, Smartphones and Free Tools series.

Polite and constructive responses are always welcome.