Opening a LAS File

The LAS file type is primarily associated with TerraScan.

LAS	File extension: LAS
	File type:	LIDAR data file

What is a LAS file?

LAS files mostly belong to TerraScan by Terrasolid. The LAS file extension was developed by the Canadian Well Logging Society (CWLS). The LAS is a standard file format used to log data on floppy disks. These files are written in standard ASCII code and hence are known as Log ASCII Standard files.

Main Usage: The main purpose of developing this standard format was to provide users of personal computers an easy and quick way to access log data. The design of the format is such that the user can easily read and distribute the log data. Also, these files are intended for optical curves only.
Associations:
- LIDAR Data Exchange File: The Laser file format developed by the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing also uses the LAS file extension. These files are used for storing and exchanging Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data which is collected by the optical sensors.

How to open a LAS file

You need a suitable software like TerraScan to open a LAS file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your LAS file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a LAS file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online LAS Text Viewer

Choose your .las file to analyze

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Online File Viewer

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Programs that open and convert LAS files:

TerraScan by Terrasolid
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. LAS files are often referred to as TerraScan gis because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
ArcGIS (LIDAR data file) by Esri
ArcGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) for working with geographic information, where it is primarily used for creating/using maps, compiling geographic data, managing geographic information within a database, and many more uses. The program uses LAS files to store data collected by LIDAR sensors. This file format is classified as GIS.
Global Mapper (LIDAR data file) by Blue Marble Geographics
Global Mapper by Blue Marble Geographics is a tool for processing and managing data from LIDAR sensors. One significant feature of this program is the ability to create accurate maps from LIDAR sensor data. The program reads LIDAR sensor data stored in LAS files. This file format is classified as GIS.
LAStools (LIDAR data file) by rapidlasso GmbH
LAStools is a software suite of customizable tools designed to efficiently process LIDAR data. The program reads data from LAS files, which contain measurements taken by LIDAR sensors. This file format is classified as GIS.
ShowTime Software Suite (animated sequence file) by Light-O-Rama
Light-O-Rama is a manufacturer of user-programmable light controllers. ShowTime Software Suite is designed allow a user to control lights. The program uses LAS files to store animated sequences to be displayed. This file format is classified as Data.
Well Viewer (log file) by Halliburton
Well Viewer is a program developed by Halliburton for data visualisation. The LAS format is intended to provide an easy method to read and distribute well log data. The format is based on standard ASCII code so that it may be easily worked with using common simple computer tools such as a text editor or a word processor. This file format is classified as Simple text file.

LAS file format details:

The file format, which is the arrangement and type of data in a file, determines which program can open the file. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. Our evaluation of the LAS files looks like this:

LAS is a very common file type and includes different formats for different programs. However, the following two file formats are common:

55% of all LAS files are ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange Format files. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The files are 6 MB to 1 GB in size, with a median of 210 MB. The file type was created 10 years ago, but is still used today. The files contain the following words: LASF and MbP?. Such files are related to cloud, point, densified, group, points, lidar, ground and scan.
40% of all LAS files are associated with CWLS Log ASCII Standard. These files are plain text, which means they can be viewed with any text editor such as Windows Editor, Nano for Linux, and TextEdit for macOS. The files are 35 KB to 4 MB in size, with a median of 800 KB. The files contain the following words: WRAP, ~Version Information, ASCII Standard, depth step, ~VERSION INFORMATION, One line per depth step, ~Well Information, CWLS LOG ASCII STANDARD - VERSION 2, MNEM, UNIT and Block. Such LAS files store data about logs, data, pass, temp, hqld, composited and well.

All other LAS files (5%) have different formats. These files are often connected to section, export, pointcloud, comp, core, nube or pnoa. If you want to find out what your LAS file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for LAS File Extension

File classification:

GIS

Related files:

laz, zip, ias, la, los, lsa, rar, asc, txt, lis, jpg, dlis, xlsx, exe, last, 7z, dtm, tif, mmap, sav

Mime type:

application/vnd.las, text/plain

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: AutoCADLayerState, FileType: AutoCAD Layer State, AppName: Notepad

ProgramID: AutoCADLTLayerState, FileType: AutoCAD LT Layer State, AppName: Notepad
EXEFile: notepad.exe

ProgramID: AutoCADLayerState
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

ProgramID: AutoCADLTLayerState
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

Show all 4 listings To Top

a las LIDAR data file is a special file format by Terrasolid and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with LAS files

Associate the LAS file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open lidar data files. Because only the current version supports the latest LAS file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Terrasolid manufacturer website after an available TerraScan update.
To make sure that your LAS file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .LAS file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.