Tutorial: Import Your Point Cloud into InfraWorks

Learn how to bring your LiDAR point cloud (.laz) into AutoDesk InfraWorks in a few easy steps.

Step 1: Source Your LiDAR Point Cloud
If you don’t have a .laz file already, you can easily download it from Equator.

Step 2: Import Your Point Cloud into InfraWorks

LiDAR Point Cloud

Step 1: Source Your Point Cloud

If you already have a LiDAR point cloud, go ahead and jump down to Step 2.

If you are looking for a LiDAR point cloud, use Equator to quickly and easily get topographic data. Just follow the steps below:

Sign-in or create an account in Equator
Search for your site location by using the search bar or zooming in
Create a site boundary using the +NEW SITE button. Select from the default rectangle options or create your own boundary. Don’t forget to name your site!
Under the Data tab, select Point Cloud. Choose your parameters and select Generate.
Your point cloud is stored in the Layers tab under your site.
To download, select the download button (down arrow). Choose your parameters and select ‘Process’.
The .laz file of your site will appear in your Downloads folder (or whichever folder you have directed your downloads to go).

Download LiDAR Data Here

LiDAR Point Cloud in Equator

Step 2: Import Your Point Cloud into InfraWorks

To import your LiDAR point cloud (.laz) into Infraworks, open InfraWorks and follow the steps below:

When you set up your InfraWorks file, make sure the coordinate system is correct and your Equator download and InfraWorks file have the same coordinate system.
Once your new project is opened, select Manage > Content > Data Sources
With the Data Sources Panel open, select Add File Data Source menu. Scroll down and select Point Cloud
Navigate to the folder where files are stored and select the point cloud file. Change the file type to .laz and select your point cloud. Click open.
Set your source and target coordinate system.
The point cloud will be converted to an .rcp file. You can save this file in the same location as your .laz file or choose a new location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a LiDAR point cloud?

A LiDAR point cloud is a set of data points representing 3D shapes or objects in a physical 3D space. They contain the most reliable 3D data possible.

.las is a file extension used for the Lidar Data Exchange Format, and is the file format used to store point cloud data. It contains information about each point collected, including x, y, and z coordinates, the classification of the point and the projection.

.laz is a file extension used for compressed lidar data. It is based on the same Lidar Data Exchange Format (LAS) as .las files, but the data is compressed to reduce the file size which allows lidar data to be stored more efficiently and transferred more quickly.