Creating a DEM from LIDAR

Recent versions of QGIS include the ability to integrate a package named LAStools, which processes Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data. LIDAR data is stored as a point cloud in the LAS format which stores x, y, z laser returns; however, this format isn't good for most GIS map visualizations. In this recipe, we'll convert a LAS point cloud file to a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in GeoTIFF format used in other examples throughout this book. The DEM can then be used as a raster layer in QGIS.

Getting ready

If your QGIS installation isn't already configured for LAStools, you'll need to do so. You can find instructions for Windows in the official QGIS documentation here:

https://docs.qgis.org/testing/en/docs/training_manual/forestry/basic_lidar.html

For OSX, you must use Wine. Instructions for configuring LAStools and Wine for OSX can be found here:

https://rapidlasso.com/2014/10/04/using-lastools-on-mac-os-x-with-wine/

Once you have LAStools...