COPC (Cloud Optimized Point Cloud) Reader/Writer

FME can read and write Cloud Optimized Point Cloud (COPC) files.

About COPC and LAS

A COPC file is a geospatially organized, LASzip compressed file. This typically enables more efficient workflows in the cloud – you can organize the points spatially and then download only the points that are in a selected region.

FME supports HTTP and FTP servers and region selection with a rectangular Search Envelope.

By using COPC, organizations can efficiently manage LiDAR point cloud data, making it more accessible and facilitating applications that require streaming or on-the-fly processing of point cloud data, especially in cloud-based environments.

COPC Product and System Requirements

Format

FME Platform

Operating System

Reader/Writer

FME Form

FME Flow

FME Flow Hosted

Windows 64-bit

Linux

Mac

Reader

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Writer

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Reader Overview

The COPC reader inherits LiDAR Data Exchange Format (LAS) functionality, but COPC compresses LAS data and stores information in a smaller space.

To read a COPC file, enter an FTP URL, HTTP URL, or a file path in the reader dataset parameters.

Note  FME automatically detects COPC files. If the file is a LAS file, but not a COPC file, FME will read the file with the LAS reader.

If a search envelope is provided and the reader parameter Clip to Search Envelope is checked, then FME will only load the parts of the file that lie within the search envelope. This provides time savings on local and remote files.

Writer Overview

The COPC writer inherits LAS functionality, with the addition of a spatial sorting stage during the writing process.

The COPC file enables faster performance when reading a spatial subset of the dataset, as well as reading lower-resolution versions of the dataset.

Note  COPC files must use LAS Point Format 1.4 and LASzip compression.

FME Community Resources