Working with Lidar XYZ Data

 

 

Using XYZ Point Data in Map

 

First rename the XYZ file to TXT extension.

 

Create a new Access database.

 

Right click in the table selection and select Import.

 

Choose Text File for the file filter drop down when selecting your renamed XYZ file.

 

Select the renamed XYZ file and click Import.

 

Follow the step by step wizard for importing data. Select Fixed Width and click Next.

 

Select Delimited and click Next.

 

Choose Space (your delimiter my differ) and click Next.

 

Then rename the first column X and click Next.

 

Then rename the first column Y and click Next.

 

Then rename the first column Z and click Next.

 

It is a good idea to have a primary key defined.

 

Name your imported data table something that makes sense to you.

 

A successful import should give you a message like this.

 

Here is an example shot of the finished table in Access after the import has been completed.

 

Next we need to create an ODBC connection to this Access database.

 

Under System DSN select Microsoft Access Driver and click Finsh.

 

Now browse and select the database we just created. Remember to name the ODBC something that makes sense to you.

 

Here is an example if a completed ODBC connection.

 

In Map choose Connect to Data.

 

You want to define an ODBC FDO connection by choosing the System DSN (ODBC) we just created.

 

If you did not define an Access User and Password leave this black but check remember and click Login.

 

After Map reads from your FDO connection it should automatically define your X, Y and Z columns. If you did not name your columns in Access you may need to do this manually.

 

When you are ready click Add to Map.

 

Here is an example if the Lidar point data in Map represented as square points.

 

 

Elevation Display

If you would like to use the Z data (elevation) you must go back to Access and add a field called elevation. Then create an update query that updates your new field to Z. The example below shows you the query and the update warning message you should see.

 

This example shows you the finished table with a copy of the elevation addition.

 

Now in Map you have data to work with when you create themes or labels.

 

 

Side Note

The creation of a DEM surface file will allow you to create contour maps in Map using the same XYZ data.

 

Example of a DEM:

 

Example of a Contour Map on top of the existing DEM: