Birdi opens large point clouds in full in the 3D view, so you can see every point and every classification. When you upload a LAS or LAZ file, Birdi prepares an optimised version for fast, smooth viewing. We’ve tested point clouds of up to 4.3 billion points (a 42.8 GB LAZ file).
Available on plans that include 3D.
This article covers:
Uploading and preparing your point cloud
Viewing classes and switching to high detail
Setting a missing coordinate system
How Birdi lines up heights using vertical datums
When to use this
You have a LAS or LAZ point cloud from Birdi processing, LiDAR or another photogrammetry tool
You need to inspect classified points such as ground, vegetation or buildings
Your point cloud only shows a preview and you want the full view
Your point cloud, DEM and 3D model aren’t sitting at the same height
Step-by-step: viewing a point cloud in 3D
1. Upload your point cloud
On your map, click + Add data and upload your .las or .laz file. There’s no file size limit.
Tip: If you upload a point cloud as 3D Tiles (.3tz or .zip), Birdi suggests uploading the
LAS or LAZ file instead. The 3D Tiles file still uploads and shows in 3D, but LAS or
LAZ gives you the full point cloud view.
2. Wait for Birdi to prepare it
While Birdi prepares your point cloud, the 3D view shows preparing.
If Birdi can’t prepare the file, it tells you why and shows the standard preview instead.
3. Open it in 3D
Click 3D in the view bar, or press 3. Then choose your point cloud from the 3D Source drop-down.
4. Show or hide classes
Use the point cloud class controls to show or hide classes such as ground, vegetation and buildings.
5. Switch to High detail when you need it
Large point clouds stay smooth as you move around. Switch to High detail when you need to see more points.
Setting a missing coordinate system
Many LAS and LAZ files don’t record their coordinate system. Without one, Birdi can only show a preview. Map editors can set or change it.
Open the coordinate system setting in the 3D Source panel, or in the layer’s Details tab.
Choose a coordinate system. Birdi suggests one based on your map’s other layers or the file name.
If the point cloud falls outside that system’s area, Birdi warns you. Check your choice before you save.
Note: The change applies to every map that uses that point cloud.
Tip: To line your point cloud up with your other layers by height, pick a coordinate system that includes a vertical datum, such as GDA2020 / MGA zone 56 + AHD.
How Birdi lines up your layers by height
Elevation layers and point clouds often record heights against a local vertical datum, such as AHD or NAVD88. 3D models often use a different height reference. Without an adjustment, these layers can sit metres apart in 3D.
Birdi now records the vertical datum for each file and adjusts for it, so elevation layers, point clouds and 3D models sit together.
To see which datum a layer uses, check the Vertical datum row in the layer’s Details tab.
Your existing layers have been updated automatically.
Point clouds uploaded before 15 October
Point clouds uploaded before 15 October have been converted, so nearly all existing clouds now show in full. A small number of files couldn’t be converted and still show the standard preview.
To view one of those in full, try uploading it again.
Need measuring tools for your point cloud?
Height, height profile, angle and area measurements for point clouds are available in Birdi’s advanced point cloud viewer. To open it, right-click the layer and select View Pointcloud.
Best practice tips
Upload LAS or LAZ rather than 3D Tiles for the full point cloud view.
Check the Vertical datum row if a layer looks too high or too low.
Set the coordinate system once. It updates every map that uses that point cloud.
Use High detail only when you need it, to keep large point clouds smooth.