COLORIZE_FROM_TIF

Adds RGB color values to a LAS/LAZ point cloud by sampling a raster image. The workflow uses PDAL's filters.colorization to drape a raster onto the input point cloud. For each point, the raster pixel at the corresponding XY location is sampled and written into the point's Red, Green, and Blue attributes.

The geometry of the point cloud does not change — only RGB attributes are added.

Typical use: applying orthophoto imagery, bathymetric backscatter mosaics, or other external raster datasets as color for LiDAR points.

Contract


Type	`COLORIZE_FROM_TIF`
Accepts	`input_las: las`, `input_tif: tif`
Produces	`output_las: las`
Params	none

Inputs

Slot	Type	Description
`input_las`	`las`	Source point cloud dataset
`input_tif`	`tif`	Raster image used to colorize the point cloud

The raster must contain RGB bands (band 1 = Red, band 2 = Green, band 3 = Blue) and be spatially aligned with the point cloud.

Outputs

Slot	Type	Description
`output_las`	`las`	Point cloud with RGB attributes sampled from the raster

Delivered as: a file at {path}/output.las. {path} is the directory declared in the job's outputs (delivered names).

What it does internally

Downloads both the LAS and TIF artifacts from MinIO

Runs a PDAL pipeline:

readers.las
  → filters.colorization raster=input.tif dimensions=Red:1,Green:2,Blue:3
  → writers.las

Uploads the colorized LAS and returns it as output_las

Recipe usage

json

{
  "id": "colorize",
  "type": "COLORIZE_FROM_TIF",
  "inputs": {
    "input_las": "job:input_las",
    "input_tif": "job:input_tif"
  },
  "outputs": { "output_las": "step:colorize.output_las" }
}

Job inputs:

json

"inputs": {
  "job:input_las": {
    "type": "las",
    "uri": "development/survey/dataset.las",
    "hash": "abc123"
  },
  "job:input_tif": {
    "type": "tif",
    "uri": "development/survey/orthophoto.tif",
    "hash": "def456"
  }
}

When to use this vs COLORIZE_AS_DEM

	`COLORIZE_AS_DEM`	`COLORIZE_FROM_TIF`
Color source	Derived from elevation	External raster image
Requires extra input	No	Yes (a TIF file)
Best for	Terrain / bathymetry visualization	Orthophoto fusion, backscatter, custom rasters

Artifact storage path

artifacts/job_{id}/colorize/output.las

COLORIZE_FROM_TIF ​

Contract ​

Inputs ​

Outputs ​

What it does internally ​

Recipe usage ​

When to use this vs COLORIZE_AS_DEM ​

Artifact storage path ​