13-05-2021
Importing Las Files Into Autocad
Issue:
Civil 3D used to bring point clouds files such as LAS, TXT, etc. directly into drawing in 2017. Now it requires use of ReCAP? Is .LAS format supported in Civil 3D anymore?AutoCAD can save layers (all their settings like: Layer On, color, freeze, lock etc.) to so called layer state.las file format. Also exporting Layer State allows controlling each of those settings. Lealg2000, as far I know MicroStation can not import this.las file storing Layers. Civil3D Importing Lidar (LAS) Files Launch Autodesk Recap, a separate product installed with Civil3D. Click the large Scan Project button. Click the folder field at the bottom of the 'Create New Project' dialog and navigate to. Click the project name field at the top of the same dialog.
Causes:
This is as designed. Previous to Civil 3D 2018, it was possible to import .LAS point clouds directly through Civil 3D using the legacy point cloud utility. The legacy point cloud utility does not support newer versions of LAS such as 1.4 so Civil 3D no longer use the legacy point cloud tools.Solution:
Use ReCap to convert the LAS, ASCII, etc. files into a format that can be used or create an .RCP file. Those RCP/RCS files can attach to Civil 3D drawing and create surface form it.Note: This article describes importing point cloud LAS file and not Layer State file from AutoCAD. For Importing Layer States see To Import Layer Settings from a Layer State (LAS) File