Cartographer how-to

How to Process Lidar into an Elevation Model

Lidar shows the ground in 3D.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Lidar shows the ground in 3D. In short: load; classify; filter, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Load point clouds.

  2. Classify ground points.

  3. Filter noise.

  4. Create a DEM.

  5. Check accuracy.

  6. Make hillshades.

Safety reminders for cartographers

  • Use ergonomic setups
  • Follow field safety
  • Protect sensitive data
  • Document sources

GIS · Layer · Projection · Coordinate system · Lidar · Orthophoto: see the full cartographer glossary.

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