decimate_points {lidR}

Decimate a LAS object

Description

Reduce the number of points using several possible algorithms.

Usage

decimate_points(las, algorithm)

Arguments

las

An object of class LAS or LAScatalog.

algorithm

function. An algorithm of point decimation. lidR have: random, homogenize, highest, lowest and random_per_voxel.

Value

If the input is a LAS object, returns a LAS object. If the input is a LAScatalog, returns a LAScatalog.

Non-supported LAScatalog options

The option 'select' is not supported and not respected because it always preserves the file format and all the attributes. 'select = "*"' is imposed internally.
The options 'chunk buffer' is not supported and not respected because it is not needed.

Examples

LASfile <- system.file("extdata", "Megaplot.laz", package="lidR")
las <- readLAS(LASfile, select = "xyz")

# Select points randomly to reach an overall density of 1
thinned1 <- decimate_points(las, random(1))
#plot(rasterize_density(las))
#plot(rasterize_density(thinned1))

# Select points randomly to reach an homogeneous density of 1
thinned2 <- decimate_points(las, homogenize(1,5))
#plot(rasterize_density(thinned2))

# Select the highest point within each pixel of an overlayed grid
thinned3 = decimate_points(las, highest(5))
#plot(thinned3)