How to convert LAS point cloud format files into 3DTiles format files? (Point Cloud Tiling)
In GISBox, we provide you with a one-stop conversion method for various GIS file formats. You only need to import local GIS files and tile them, and then distribute them to major GIS platforms or digital twin project building platforms.
Let’s take the conversion of **LAS files **to 3DTiles files as an example to introduce the specific steps:
1. Create a New Tiling Task
Click the “Add” button in the “Tiling” option on the left to open the settings for creating a new tiling task.
Select “Point Cloud” from the options on the left to start setting up the tiling task.
2. Tiling Task Settings
2.1 Export Files
In the settings for creating a new tiling task, click “Add File” and select a folder containing LAS files to add.
After adding the LAS file, set the export folder. It is recommended to use an empty folder, otherwise a prompt will pop up.
2.2 Basic Parameters
The LAS file itself can store color information, and the color can be calculated according to the “Color Calculation” formula. The **”Zero Point Coordinate” **can set the basic reference point of the LAS file in 3D space, and the “Size Parameter” can control the minimum amount of slice data generated.
2.3 Performance Optimization
| Configuration Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Color Calculation | When this option is turned on, GISBox will store the color of the point cloud in 3DTiles. |
| Texture Compression | When “Default” is selected for the texture format, the slicing task will export the texture in jpg format; when “webp” is selected, the storage capacity of the exported webp format texture is about 70% of the default jpg format, which can speed up network transmission, but it can only be used under Chrome and will not reduce the video memory usage. Selecting “KTX2-uastc” can save 60% of the video memory, and selecting “KTX2-etc1s” can save 80% of the video memory. |
| Vertex Compression | The default setting is disabled. The Draco compression algorithm is used to compress fixed-point data. When enabled, the storage amount of fixed-point data can be reduced. |
The specific performance optimization settings are shown in the figure below:
2.4 Storage Type
In “Storage Type”, “Store 3DTiles 1.1” is enabled by default. When enabled, the model files in the OSGB folder will be exported in glb format. When disabled, they will be in b3dm format.
After the tiling is completed, you can select “Tiling-Completed” on the left side of the software interface to view the tiling task.
3. Streaming Settings
After enabling “Stream as Service” , the created tiling task will also add a service of the corresponding type in “Service”.
3.1 Stream as Service Simultaneously
When “Stream as Service” is enabled, a corresponding type of service will be added in “Service” after tiling is completed. For example, a tiling task for LAS files will automatically add a service in the “Model Service” option of “Service”.
3.2 Stream as Service Separately
When “Stream as Service” is disabled, no corresponding type of service will be added in “Service” after tiling is successful, and it will need to be added manually.
After adding the exported JSON file, click the “Add” button.
4. Edit Files
4.1 Jump to Service List
After the tiling task is processed, click the “Jump to Service List” button on the right to view the corresponding service.
4.2 View Files
After the tiling task is completed, click the “Open Folder” button on the right to view the converted 3DTiles files.
4.3 Delete Files
Click the “Delete” button on the right to delete the converted files.
5. Use Service Address
If you check “Stream as Service” in the settings of the tiling task, the model will be automatically distributed after tiling is successful (the corresponding service address will be generated). We can click to open the corresponding service list, as shown in the figure below: (For more details, please refer to the tutorial: Model Service)
The generated service address can be applied to GIS platforms such as Cesium, and can also be applied to some digital twin project building platforms, such as Wings Engine.
