Merge LiDAR LAS files using FME

If you want to merge multiple LiDAR LAS files into a single, combined file, then it is possible to use the Safe FME Workbench to quickly put together a simple workflow to do the job. All that is required is to define a Reader for the multiple LAS files, connect that to the PointCloudCombiner transformer and output to a LAS file Writer. The following illustrates the steps.

1. Start the FME Workbench.
   
2. Select Readers | Add Reader.
   
   The Add Reader dialog box appears.
   
   
3. In the Format field, choose ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange Format (LAS).
   
4. In the Dataset field, click the browse [...] button. Select two or more LAS files. Click OK.
   
   The Reader is added to the Main pane.
   
5. From the Transformer Gallery pane, drag and drop the PointCloudCombiner transformer onto the Main pane.
   
6. Select Writers | Add Writer.
   
   The Add Writer dialog box appears.
   
   
7. In the Format field, choose ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange Format (LAS).
   
8. In the Dataset field, click the browse [...] button and define the output folder.
   
9. Click OK.
   
   The following prompts will appear. Click Yes and OK.
   
   
   
   
10. Connect the Reader, transformer and Writer as shown.
    
    
    
    
11. Run the translation.
    
    The LAS files are merged into a single file.