Convert .LAZ to .LAS without LAStools or command line (QGIS 3.22.4)

laslazlidarqgis

Is it possible to convert .LAZ to .LAS in QGIS (without LAStools)?

Tools such as r.in.lidar (GRASS) used for conversion of point cloud to raster require .LAS as input, but after much searching around, I haven't been able to find a way in QGIS to convert .LAZ to .LAS…

I would like to know if there is a solution to this that (1) could avoid needing to install LAStools (relvevant for Mac users since LAStools is difficult to install on Mac) and (2) that could also avoid needing to use the command line.

Best Answer

I believe it will be possible when PDAL 2.4.0 is released and when QGIS starts to use it. From the PDAL mailing list:

We are now in the release freeze period for the PDAL 2.4.0 release. Some upcoming features and capabilities the next release will contain include:

  • LAZ support is now always available and embedded in the PDAL library through its use of the recently relicensed laz-perf library. PDAL no longer requires or supports linking against an external LASzip or laz-perf library. Visit https://github.com/LASzip/LASzip/pull/80 to find out more about LASzip and laz-perf relicensing to Apache Public License from LGPL.
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