SPDLib

"SPDLib is a set of open source software tools for processing laser scanning data (i.e., LiDAR), including data captured from airborne and terrestrial platforms. The aim of the software is provide you, the user, with the tools you need to process these data. The software grow out of our needs for LiDAR processing and has continued to grow. One of the key features which differentiates this software from other LiDAR software is the ability to process and store full waveform datasets alongside traditional discrete return data.

The sorted pulse data (SPD) software library (SPDLib) is the implementation of the SPD file format (more information about the SPD file format can be found in the proceeding of SilviLaser 2011) along with a collection of tools for processing this data, including for both discrete return and full waveform laser scanning/LiDAR technologies. SPDLib is one of the most complete set of freely available LiDAR processing libraries currently available, particularly for full waveform LiDAR, and including tools for reading and converting LiDAR datasets, decomposing points from waveform data, classifying ground returns, interpolating raster height and elevation products and calculating metrics (mainly for vegetation). Additionally, the SPD format sorts the data in a highly structured manor with a spatial (grid based) index and using pulses rather than points are the main data type. Using pulses has a number of advantages, not least that full waveform data can be stored and processed, but also the data is stored using the same model as the data is acquired. Finally, the SPD format is implemented using a HDF5 file was it can be read by a wide variety of software and is platform independent.

Generic information for developers interested in using any of the SPDLib APIs is available from the Developers Manual . While specific examples and information for the various APIs can be found from the following pages:

• C++
• Python
• IDL

http://www.spdlib.org/doku.php