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Creating a Project
A project in Lidarvisor is a container for one LiDAR dataset and all the products generated from it (classified point cloud, terrain models, vectors, reports). This page explains how to create a project by uploading your data.
Supported File Formats
Lidarvisor accepts the following file types for point cloud data:
| Format | Extension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| LAS | .las | The standard LiDAR point cloud format. Contains 3D coordinates and attributes for each point. |
| LAZ | .laz | A compressed version of LAS. Same data, smaller file. Recommended for faster uploads. |
| COPC | .copc.laz | Cloud-Optimized Point Cloud. A modern format designed for efficient streaming. |
You can also optionally add an orthophoto (aerial image) to your project:
| Format | Extension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GeoTIFF | .tif / .tiff | A georeferenced image file. You can upload up to 100 TIFF files per project, with a combined maximum of 5 GB. |
File Size Limits
The maximum file size depends on your subscription plan:
| Plan | LAS Limit | LAZ Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | 2 GB | 400 MB |
| Premium | 25 GB | 5 GB |
| Advanced | 50 GB | 10 GB |
Why is the LAZ limit lower? LAZ is a compressed format — a 400 MB LAZ file typically contains the same data as a 2–4 GB LAS file. The limits are set so that both formats allow roughly the same amount of actual data.
Step-by-Step: Create a Project
1. Open the Create Project Panel
Click the Create a project button in the top toolbar. A panel will slide open on the right side of the screen.
2. Name Your Project
Type a name for your project. This can be anything that helps you identify it — for example, the site name, date, or client name.
3. Select Your LiDAR File
Click the file picker to browse for your LAS or LAZ file, or drag and drop it into the area. You can upload one LiDAR file per project.
4. (Optional) Add an Orthophoto
If you have aerial imagery of the same area, check the Add an orthophoto box. A second file picker will appear where you can select one or more TIFF files.
An orthophoto is not required for processing, but it provides a satellite-like image layer that you can overlay on your point cloud in the viewer.
5. Click "Import project"
Lidarvisor will begin uploading your file. You will see a progress bar showing the upload status.
What Happens During Upload
Upload — Your file is sent to Lidarvisor's cloud servers. The upload is resumable: if your internet connection drops, the upload will automatically resume from where it left off when you reconnect. You can also manually pause and resume the upload.
Tiling — Once the upload finishes, Lidarvisor converts your point cloud into a format optimized for 3D viewing (called "3D Tiles"). This allows you to explore even very large datasets smoothly in the browser.
Metadata extraction — The platform reads your file to determine its geographic location, coordinate system, number of points, area, and other properties.
When all three steps are complete, your point cloud appears in the 3D viewer and you can start exploring it.
Coordinate Systems (EPSG Codes)
Every LiDAR file is captured in a specific coordinate system — a set of rules that defines how X, Y, Z numbers translate to real-world positions on Earth. Coordinate systems are identified by an EPSG code (a standardized number, like EPSG:32632 for UTM Zone 32N in Europe).
Automatic Detection
Lidarvisor automatically reads the coordinate system from your file's metadata. In most cases, this works without any input from you.
Manual Selection
If the coordinate system cannot be detected automatically (for example, if the file was created without proper metadata), Lidarvisor will ask you to specify it. You have two options:
Search by EPSG code — If you know the EPSG code, search for it in the table that appears. You can filter by name, code, or region.
Auto-detect by location — If you do not know the EPSG code, switch to the "Auto-detect" tab and enter an address or GPS coordinates of the survey area. Lidarvisor will suggest the most appropriate coordinate system for that location.
Tip: If you are unsure which coordinate system your data uses, ask the person who collected the LiDAR data, or check the documentation that came with the dataset.
Files with Local Coordinates
Some LiDAR files use "local" or "arbitrary" coordinates — X and Y values that are not tied to a standard geographic reference. Lidarvisor detects this situation and will prompt you to provide a reference location so the data can be placed correctly on the map.
Finding Free LiDAR Data
Don't have your own LiDAR data yet? Lidarvisor provides a link to a guide on finding free, open-source LiDAR datasets. You can find it in the Create a project panel — look for the "Find free LiDAR data" button below the file picker.
Many countries and regions publish free aerial LiDAR data that you can download and upload to Lidarvisor to try the platform.
Managing Your Projects
Viewing Your Projects
Click My projects in the top toolbar to see a list of all your projects. Each project shows:
- Its name
- Its status (Uploading, Tiling, Processing, Ready, Error)
- A View button to load it in the 3D viewer
Click the arrow next to a project name to expand it and see details from the LAS file header (number of points, area, etc.).
Renaming a Project
Click the pencil icon next to a project name in the project list, or next to the project name in the left panel when the project is loaded.
Deleting a Project
Click the trash icon next to a project in the project list. A confirmation dialog will appear. Deleting a project removes all associated data — the original file, all processed results, and all generated deliverables. This action cannot be undone.
Loading a Project
Click View next to any project to load it in the 3D viewer. The project's assets will appear in the left panel (the project tree), and the point cloud will be displayed in the viewer.
Upload Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Upload seems stuck | Check your internet connection. The upload is resumable — it will continue automatically when the connection is restored. You can also try pausing and resuming manually. |
| "File too large" error | Your file exceeds the size limit for your plan. Consider compressing LAS to LAZ using a free tool like LASzip, or upgrade your plan. |
| "Storage limit reached" | You have used all available storage on your plan. Delete old projects you no longer need, or upgrade your plan. |
| "Project limit reached" | Freemium accounts are limited to 5 projects. Delete an old project or upgrade to Premium or Advanced for unlimited projects. |
| Point cloud does not appear after upload | The tiling step may still be in progress. Check the status indicator in the project list. If it shows an error, try creating a new project with the same file. |
| Point cloud appears in the wrong location | The coordinate system (EPSG code) was likely detected incorrectly or your file uses local coordinates. Delete the project and re-upload it — when prompted, manually select the correct EPSG code or use the auto-detect-by-location feature. If you are unsure of the correct code, ask the person who collected the data or check your drone/sensor software settings. |
| Not sure how many credits I need before uploading | Upload the file first — Lidarvisor calculates the area automatically during metadata extraction. You will see the exact credit cost before confirming processing. Uploading itself does not consume credits. |
Preparing Files from Common Drones
If you just collected LiDAR data with a drone and are not sure how to get a LAS or LAZ file, here are common workflows:
| Drone / Sensor | Software | How to Export LAS/LAZ |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Zenmuse L1 / L2 | DJI Terra | Process the flight, then export as LAS or LAZ from the point cloud panel |
| Livox Mid-360 / Avia | Livox Viewer or Livox Mapping | Convert recorded data to LAS using the built-in export tool |
| ROCK Robotic R3Pro | ROCK Cloud / PCMaster | Download the processed LAS file from your ROCK dashboard |
| YellowScan | YellowScan CloudStation | Export the processed trajectory as LAS |
| RIEGL miniVUX / VUX | RiPROCESS | Export point cloud as LAS from the project |
| Emlid / generic PPK drone | Emlid Studio + CloudCompare | Post-process the trajectory, then export the georeferenced point cloud as LAS |
Tip: If your drone software does not directly export LAS/LAZ, you can often export to a text file (CSV with X, Y, Z columns) and convert it to LAS using the free tool CloudCompare.
Next Step
Your data is uploaded and visible in the viewer. Let's learn how to explore it. Head to The 3D Viewer.