Image
What is a .las file?
A .las file is an AutoCAD Last Saved Layer State. This is an image format — a picture, drawing or graphic. Confusingly, this extension has been used by 7 different formats over the years — they're all listed below.
This extension has been used by more than one format
7 different formats have claimed .las over the years, so two files with the same extension aren't necessarily the same kind of thing.
- AutoCAD Last Saved Layer StateNo version recorded · x-fmt/59
- ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange FormatVersion 1.0 · fmt/368
- ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange FormatVersion 1.1 · fmt/369
- ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange FormatVersion 1.2 · fmt/370
- Log ASCII Standard FormatVersion 1.2 · fmt/389
- Log ASCII Standard FormatVersion 2.0 · fmt/390
- Log ASCII Standard FormatVersion 3.0 · fmt/391
How to open a .las file
- GIMP (free) and IrfanView open a very wide range of image formats, including obsolete ones.
- XnView MP is the best bet for unusual or legacy image types.
- Your operating system's built-in viewer may work for mainstream formats.
The registry records this extension against AutoCAD Last Saved Layer State, ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange Format, ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange Format and others, so software from that family is the most likely match.
How to convert a .las file
- Open it in GIMP or XnView and export as .png (lossless) or .jpg (smaller).
The technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .las.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| AutoCAD Last Saved Layer State | — | — | x-fmt/59 |
| ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange Format | 1.0 | — | fmt/368 |
| ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange Format | 1.1 | — | fmt/369 |
| ASPRS Lidar Data Exchange Format | 1.2 | — | fmt/370 |
| Log ASCII Standard Format | 1.2 | — | fmt/389 |
| Log ASCII Standard Format | 2.0 | — | fmt/390 |
| Log ASCII Standard Format | 3.0 | — | fmt/391 |