Open Source C++ LiDAR Software

SAGA - System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses - is a Geographic Information System (GIS) software with immense capabilities for geodata processing and analysis. SAGA is programmed in the object oriented C++ language and supports the implementation of new functions with a very effective Application Programming Interface (API). Functions are organised as modules in framework independent Module Libraries and can be accessed via SAGA’s Graphical User Interface (GUI) or various scripting environments (shell scripts, Python, R, ...). Please provide the following reference in your work if you are using SAGA: Conrad, O., Bechtel, B., Bock, M., Dietrich, H., Fischer, E., Gerlitz, L., Wehberg, J., Wichmann, V., and Boehner, J. (2015): System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses (SAGA) v. 2.1.4. Geosci. Model Dev., 8, 1991-2007, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-1991-2015. For more information visit the project homepage and the wiki.

Intel® RealSense™ SDK 2.0 is a cross-platform library for Intel® RealSense™ depth cameras. The SDK allows depth and color streaming and provides intrinsic and extrinsic calibration information. The library also offers synthetic streams (point cloud, depth aligned to color and vise-versa), and built-in support for recording and playback of streaming sessions. Intel has EOLed the LiDAR, Facial Authentication, and Tracking product lines. These products have been discontinued and will no longer be available for new orders. Intel WILL continue to sell and support stereo products including the following: D410, D415, D430, , D401 ,D450 modules and D415, D435, D435i, D435f, D405, D455, D457 depth cameras. We will also continue the work to support and develop our LibRealSense open source SDK.

RTAB-Map (Real-Time Appearance-Based Mapping) is a RGB-D, Stereo and Lidar Graph-Based SLAM approach based on an incremental appearance-based loop closure detector. The loop closure detector uses a bag-of-words approach to determine how likely a new image comes from a previous location or a new location. When a loop closure hypothesis is accepted, a new constraint is added to the map’s graph, then a graph optimizer minimizes the errors in the map. A memory management approach is used to limit the number of locations used for loop closure detection and graph optimization so that real-time constraints on large-scale environments are always respected. RTAB-Map can be used alone with a handheld Kinect, a stereo camera or a 3D lidar for 6DoF mapping, or on a robot equipped with a laser rangefinder for 3DoF mapping.

LAStools is a collection of efficient, multi-core, scriptable tools for processing LiDAR data. It supports various formats, including LAS, LAZ, Terrasolid BIN, and ESRI Shapefiles, providing a comprehensive suite for LiDAR data management and analysis.

GLTF/GLB Windows Shell Extension: This shell extension automatically adds thumbnail images to .glb files in Windows File Explorer and provides a right click menu option to generate a 3D preview image for .gltf files. Supports multi-file select and directory processing. Pre-built Windows x64 installer available at https://buymeacoffee.com/nathancrews/e/255640 LAS/LAZ Pointcloud Windows Shell Extension: This "quick viewer" shell extension provides a Windows File Explorer right click menu option to quickly generate 3D preview images for large and small .las and .laz files. (Disclaimer: Processing time depends on compute hardware) Typical processing time for 100mb .las is about 2 seconds. 25mb .laz file process in about the same times. Files are processed in parallel using available CPU cores. Pre-built Windows x64 installer available at https://buymeacoffee.com/nathancrews/e/255641

This software is designed to help users visualize and analyze 3D point clouds with an associated real value, in a fast and flexible fashion. The primary use is in Atom Probe Tomography, which is an atomic imaging technique. However the program may also be useful in other areas, such as geospatial data, lidar, etc.

DLO is a lightweight and computationally efficient frontend LiDAR odometry solution with consistent and accurate localization. It features several algorithmic innovations that increase speed, accuracy, and robustness of pose estimation in perceptually challenging environments and has been extensively tested on aerial and legged robots. This work was part of NASA JPL Team CoSTAR's research and development efforts for the DARPA Subterranean Challenge, in which DLO was the primary state estimation component for our fleet of autonomous aerial vehicles.

DLIO is a new lightweight LiDAR-inertial odometry algorithm with a novel coarse-to-fine approach in constructing continuous-time trajectories for precise motion correction. It features several algorithmic improvements over its predecessor, DLO, and was presented at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in London, UK in 2023.

Software for analyzing and visualizing LIDAR data.

MCC-LIDAR is a C++ application for processing LiDAR data in forested environments. It classifies data points as ground or non-ground using the Multiscale Curvature Classification algorithm.

The Sick LIDAR Matlab/C++ Toolbox offers stable and easy-to-use C++ drivers for Sick LMS and Sick LD LIDARs. It provides a Matlab Mex interface for streaming LIDAR returns directly into Matlab. Also included are config utilities, examples, and tutorials.

A C++ driver to provide an interface to the Velodyne HD-64E Lidar

ROS 2 package of 3D lidar slam using ndt/gicp registration and pose-optimization. ros2 slam package of the frontend using OpenMP-boosted gicp/ndt scan matching and the backend using graph-based slam.