.las & .laz import problem with VWX 2023

[Jeff Prince]

I'm trying to import a .laz from the USGS

 https://apps.nationalmap.gov/downloader/#/

 

Vectorworks 2023 & 2022 on Mac or Win 11 Pro are kicking out the errors below out.

The file in question can be opened in other .laz reading softwares, so I'm thinking there is something wrong with Vectorworks.

VWX 2021 just closes without warning when opening one of these files.  I seem to remember opening files from this source last year without issue.

Any ideas???

 

 

 

 

 

[JuanP]

@jeff princeCould you share the specific file you are having the issues with? - thanks 

[JuanP]

@jeff prince @Tony Kostreski one of our Landscape architects helped me downloading a .laz file from that page and and importing it in Vectorworks 2023 - see the results. Could you try the file attached and see if you have the same issues. 

 

USGS_LPC_MD_VA_Sandy_NCR_2014_18SUJ325303_LAS_2015.laz

[Jeff Prince]

hey @JuanP thanks for reaching out.

 

I tried the file you linked and it came in as expected.

 

The ones I have been having problems with are the tile described below and to the east.

 

USGS Lidar Point Cloud AZ_MaricopaPinal_2020_B20 w0394n3745 
Published Date: 2022-03-31 
Metadata Updated: 2022-04-01 
Format: LAZ 
Extent: Varies 

 

Strangely, they all open in other GIS & lidar viewers, just not Vectorworks.

[Benson Shaw]

Confirming:

  Import fails in vwx v2023sp3 with same error notes as @jeff prince

  Import succeeds in qgis firenzi

 

Paths to the LAZ file:

Opened this, but no joy because could not limit to requested coords/tile:

• https://apps.nationalmap.gov/downloader/#/

Separate search using tile/coordinate as shown in @jeff prince post.

• Search term (in DuckDuckGo):  USGS Lidar Point Cloud AZ_MaricopaPinal_2020_B20 w0394n3745 
• Top hit:  https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/624749bad34e21f82763289c

Opens to page offering info, thumb of tile extents, & several downloads including this link to LAZ file lower in page.

•  https://rockyweb.usgs.gov/vdelivery/Datasets/Staged/Elevation/LPC/Projects/AZ_MaricopaPinal_2020_B20/AZ_MaricopaPinal_1_2020/LAZ/USGS_LPC_AZ_MaricopaPinal_2020_B20_w0364n3705.laz

Downloaded and tried import to vwx and QGIS.

 

HTH

 

-B

[JuanP]

@Benson Shawthank you for the additional info and the file/

@jeff princeI reported the issue to our R&D team - Internal tracking # VB-193753 - Thanks

[Jeff Prince]

15 hours ago, Benson Shaw said:

Confirming:

  Import fails in vwx v2023sp3 with same error notes as @jeff prince

  Import succeeds in qgis firenzi

 

Paths to the LAZ file:

Opened this, but no joy because could not limit to requested coords/tile:

• https://apps.nationalmap.gov/downloader/#/

Separate search using tile/coordinate as shown in @jeff prince post.

• Search term (in DuckDuckGo):  USGS Lidar Point Cloud AZ_MaricopaPinal_2020_B20 w0394n3745 
• Top hit:  https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/624749bad34e21f82763289c

Opens to page offering info, thumb of tile extents, & several downloads including this link to LAZ file lower in page.

•  https://rockyweb.usgs.gov/vdelivery/Datasets/Staged/Elevation/LPC/Projects/AZ_MaricopaPinal_2020_B20/AZ_MaricopaPinal_1_2020/LAZ/USGS_LPC_AZ_MaricopaPinal_2020_B20_w0364n3705.laz

Downloaded and tried import to vwx and QGIS.

 

HTH

 

-B

 

 

For future reference, all you have to do is put the title of the tile into the search field and select the product category to search

In this case "USGS Lidar Point Cloud AZ_MaricopaPinal_2020_B20 w0394n3745".  Or I could have just provided the link LOL.

 

[Jeff Prince]

On 3/2/2023 at 7:46 AM, JuanP said:

I reported the issue to our R&D team - Internal tracking # VB-193753 - Thanks

 

Hey @JuanP or anyone reading this, how does one check on the status of this tracking #?

 

[JuanP]

I updated the report - requesting an update from our R&D team - Currently, the issue has been assigned to one of our engineers. I'll provide you with more info as soon as become available. 

[Jeff Prince]

Hey Juan,

Any updates?  Someone else is running into this issue on the forum, which reminded me about this old thread.

Thanks,

Jeff

[JuanP]

@Jeff Prince Sorry, there's nothing new yet. I will share the latest information from the R+D team as soon as I receive an update.

[Dave Donley]

Hello @Jeff Prince and @Benson Shaw

 

We are updating the library used to import LAS and LAZ files and these imports should be fixed in the next major version of Vectorworks.

 

[Jeff Prince]

39 minutes ago, Dave Donley said:

Hello @Jeff Prince and @Benson Shaw

 

We are updating the library used to import LAS and LAZ files and these imports should be fixed in the next major version of Vectorworks.

 

 

That's great news.

It would be better if it could come out during the 2024 product cycle.  We've been suffering for a while here 😞

 

[Benson Shaw]

@Dave Donley Excellent! Currently, I am unable to open NOAA .laz files.  They produce a Corrupt File error.
 

I agree with @Jeff Prince  - much appreciated whenever fix is implemented.  Earlier would be even better. 
 

-B

[PNWPaul]

The workaround that I used was to download laszip and decompress the .laz to a .las. Then Vectorworks reads it fine. But it will be nice when it can just import directly

[Benson Shaw]

5 hours ago, PNWPaul said:

download laszip and decompress

Not sure what this means? Can you elaborate? Maybe a Mac/Windows difference.

 

I download LAZ, LAS, Shp from the NOAA Data Access Viewer>Elevation/Lidar:

https://coast.noaa.gov/dataviewer/#/lidar/search/

 

For those not familiar

Process is to marquee around the area of interest, Add to cart, go to cart, choose the file type and other parameters. Verify and complete the "order" (free - no charge). Return to viewer if desired - the marquee is preserved for entire session - order another format of the same area.

 

Receive the data usually only after a few minutes. 3 emails per order - Order confirm, Link to the download, Order summary.

Files are zipped, but decompress to folders containing the requested shp, laz or other, plus their support files.

 

Shapefile contours import to vwx and georef reliably.

LAZ and LAS generate a Corrupt File error in vwx and do not import/open.

XYZ files import, but I'm finding their georef does not match the contours. Still toying with that.

 

 

One zip with a LAZ attached. Can anyone open it?

 

-B

 

 

 

 

 

wa2016_pslc_king_Job978313.zip

[PNWPaul]

13 hours ago, Benson Shaw said:

 

Hi Benson,

The program you need is Las Zip. Download it, and it will unzip the .laz (compressed file) into a .las (uncompressed file) for you. Vectorworks will then be able to read it. 

[Jeff Prince]

8 minutes ago, PNWPaul said:

Vectorworks will then be able to read it.

…sometimes 

[Benson Shaw]

5 hours ago, PNWPaul said:

The program you need

Will give it a whirl Monday or Tuesday. Thanks for suggestion. 
 

-B