File extension LAS
| File type | LIDAR Data Exchange Format |
| Developer | ASPRS |
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What is a LAS file?
File format with .LAS extension contains LIDAR (light detection and ranging) data stored in binary format. This format is a result of efforts to standardize LIDAR data formats undertaken by ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing). This format greatly simplifies exchange of information between suppliers and recepients. Introduction of LAS format allowed simplification of inherent complexities in LIDAR data.
LAS format stores data collected by light sensors. Those sensors illuminate the target with laser light and measure the reflected and scattered light to generate three-dimensional image of targeted object. This method is commonly used to create accurate terrain maps.
Program(s) that can open the .LAS file
Windows
How to open LAS files
If you cannot open the LAS file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports LAS among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the LAS file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the LAS format files
The inability to open and operate the LAS file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the LIDAR Data Exchange Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a LAS file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the LAS file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the LAS from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the LAS format
- The LAS file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the LAS file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a LAS file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the LAS file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the LAS file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the LAS file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
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This extension
can be converted to:
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.LAS) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected LAS file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the LAS file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. LAS) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.