Export Point Cloud

[bjohncarmichael]

I have some very large point clouds from lidar that I want to crop to a manageable size.

I have imported a rcp from Recap and I have cropped to the size I need. The problem I am having is, according to the help file, to export the point cloud 'right click on the point cloud or point cloud layer' and then go to export. When I right click on the point cloud there is no export option. I am obviously missing something basic but I have no idea what it is !!

[Pointdump]

Hi @bjohncarmichael,
Are we talking ReCap or Map 3D? In ReCap you can create a Region and export that. In Map 3D, nope.
Dave

[bjohncarmichael]

This is an extract from the Autocad Map 3D help file :

You can export point cloud data to LiDAR (LAS version 1.2) or space-delimited ASCII (.xyz) formats. These formats can be shared with other applications that read LiDAR data.

To export point cloud data to LAS or ASCII formats

1. Right click the point cloud or point cloud layer you want to export, then select Export Point Cloud. The Export Point Cloud dialog box appears.
2. Select the file type to which you want to export your point cloud data in the File of Type field.
3. Specify a file name and save location.
4. Click Save.

[ChicagoLooper]

What extension will your export be?

What are your plans once you export?

What program will be 'importing' the Map3D output?

Depending on what you need to do AND create, you may not even need to export at all because you might be able to accomplish your goal in Map3D/Civil3D. There are some M3D/C3D tools that have hidden or misunderstood capabilities which makes going to 'other' programs unnecessary. 

[bjohncarmichael]

Thanks for getting back to me so promptly.

I need to export in PTS or LAS to import to my Surveying and Engineering package for error checking some highway design features. The final output will be to MOSS. I am pretty sure all can be achieved in AutoCad in some form or another but I do not have the time to familiarise myself with all the 'how to's' ,I would rather keep it simple and use software I am familiar with and leave my AutoCad for drawing !!.

I just want to import a large point cloud, crop it into smaller chunks and export it. I just don't understand why the help file has instructions that do not appear to work ???

[Pointdump]

@bjohncarmichael,
What year was that Map Help extract, and what year are you using? Autodesk pulled major point cloud functionality out of C3D/M3D in 2017.
I'm going to see if I can get it to work in 2022. I'm not optimistic.
Dave

[ChicagoLooper · Accepted solution]

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@bjohncarmichael wrote:

<<I have some very large point clouds from lidar that I want to crop to a manageable size.

I have imported a rcp from Recap and I have cropped to the size I need. >>

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OK, so you are stating you have LiDAR data, correct? You are also stating you have exported your LiDAR to rcp (or rcs) format using Recap. Is this also correct? You further state you need either pts or las output, correct?

Instead of exporting to rcp (or rcs) so you can open and read the points in Map3D, export directly to pts using Recap. You can try this:

1. With your las file opened in Recap, go to HOME icon=>IMPORT/EXPORT icon button (DOWN arrow represents import while UP arrow represents export)=>Select EXPORT icon (UP arrow).
2. In the next dialog window where you NAME and SAVE the export, change Save type as to PTS. 

Image-1 (Point cloud shown in background.)

Image-2 (Point cloud shown in background.)

You may also choose E57 file extension instead of PTS.

[bjohncarmichael]

Thanks very much, you have been a great help, trust me to look in wrong place !!

[tyler_johnsonW5Z79]

This does NOT work. 03-22-2024 using Civil3D 2024. Just so everyone is aware. there is no Export Point Cloud when I "right-click" on the point cloud. Cheers.