LAS2STL is a Python script which allows you to automatically convert a Lidar point cloud to a 3D printable mesh. It tries to reconstruct the point cloud surface as accurately as possible, but still allows you to specify different parameters to control the output of the script.
To install the python libraries, run the following:
- Install virtualenv:
python -m pip install --user virtualenv - Create virtual env:
virtualenv venv - Activate virtual env:
source ./venv/bin/activate - Install requirements:
pip install -r requirements.txt
- Place your lidar .las files in the
lasfolder. - Open a command prompt.
- Run
python las2stl.py. - The finished mesh is placed in the
stlfolder.
There are some options at the top of the Python script that allow you to tweak the mesh generation:
Must be True or False. Decides whether all points should be used, or only those marked as a ground return. If you want to include buildings and trees, set this option to False. If you only want the terrain, set it to True.
Must be between 0.0 and 1.0. Most lidar point clouds are too large to generate a mesh from. This setting allows you to sample the point cloud. A value of 0.3 means that 30% of the points are kept, the rest are discarded. A higher value means more resolution, but also more processing time.
Must be between 0.0 and Infinity. Defines the scaling factor between the Lidar point cloud and the final mesh. SCALEXY controls the horizontal scale, SCALEZ controls the height. This allows you to exaggerate the height of the features. A value of 1.0 means that a cloud of size 1000x1000m is converted to a mesh of 1000x1000mm. A factor of 0.15 would create a mesh of size 150x150mm. Note that the scale factor is not mathematically correct, since many slicers auto-convert meters to millimeters.
| SCALEXY = SCALEZ = 0.1 | SCALEXY = 0.1, SCALEZ = 0.15 |
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| Length, width and height are equally scaled | Height is 50% exaggerated respective to length and width |
Must be greater than 0.0. Minimal thickness in Millimeters of the base the model stands on.
| BASE_THICKNESS=5 | BASE_THICKNESS=50 |
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| 5mm of spacing is added below the lowest point | 50mm of spacing is added below the lowest point |
Can be any number. The altitude in meters above sea level where the final mesh should begin. This should be less than the lowest point in your point cloud.
True or False. Whether all meshes should begin at the same altitude. Setting it to True makes assembly easier, but might produce lots of unnecessary volume if the tiles include very different altitudes. Setting it to False requires the tiles to be placed on spacers.
If the setting is False, the height of the spacer in Millimeters is printed at the end of the script.
| COMMON_BASE = True | COMMON_BASE = False |
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| - | Prints "Spacer height: 0.5mm" and "Spacer height: 20.2mm" |