option to include additional data, such as intensity value

[GISnick]

As discussed on the unity forums, the option to include intensity value along with color separatly is highly useful. As far as "packing" i understand this will cause some lossyness and or size increase.

My personal request to be included along with color: Intensity: This value represents the strength of the returned laser signal. GPS Time: This is the timestamp corresponding to the exact moment the LiDAR data point was captured.

if the clouds become too big or too lossy, i think the idea of perhaps a separate set of files where these extra datas can be loaded on demand only when needed? (for example gps time is used for specific point filtering tools outside of the general use application) ...or, if the cloud containing GPS time needs to be large and not packed then so be it, as it will be likely used for specific use cases

Additional attributes per point stored in a .las/.laz that are needed at times.

• Intensity: The strength of the returned laser signal. This can be influenced by the properties of the surface that the laser beam reflected off.

• Return Number: Indicates the order of this return from the laser pulse (e.g., first return, second return). This is particularly useful in areas with multiple reflective surfaces, like forests.

• Number of Returns (per pulse): The total number of returns recorded for a single laser pulse. This helps in understanding the reflective characteristics of the surface.

• Scan Direction Flag: Shows the direction the scanner was moving when the point was recorded (e.g., left to right or right to left).

• Edge of Flight Line: Indicates whether the point is at the edge of a LiDAR scan line, which can be critical for data analysis and processing.

• Classification: Points can be classified into different categories (e.g., ground, vegetation, building, water) based on their characteristics.

• Scan Angle: The angle of the laser pulse with respect to the ground, which can affect the accuracy of the point's location.

• User Data: Additional user-defined data that can be used for various purposes depending on the specific application.

• Point Source ID: Identifies the LiDAR sensor that collected the point, useful in multi-sensor or multi-flight projects.

• GPS Time: The exact time at which the point was recorded, synchronized with GPS time.

• Color (RGB): If the LiDAR system includes RGB color capture, each point may include color information.

[unitycoder]

Yeah, separate file(s) would be the easiest solution). I'll look into it and update here.

adding reference link to forum post, https://forum.unity.com/threads/released-point-cloud-viewer-tools.240536/page-18#post-9529612

[unitycoder]

ok current library at least supports reading all those fields, intensity, gps, times and more: https://github.com/shintadono/laszip.net/blob/d481331f828e782129c839cde086de6ee02754f7/laszip_point.cs

have to remember that points are randomized in the importer, so need to do same for this additional data..

[unitycoder]

this is now already available actually not fully, only for header data, but not per point metadata can be exported into output.json and Intensity data can be read also (alone, with RGB, or packed with RGB+INT)