Launch update — September 29, 2026: SkyView Desktop launches October 12, 2026. Approximately 50 pilots will field-test it in a private beta before launch. Pre-launch Desktop access requires beta approval and an assigned SkyView license. Ask about beta access or view SkyView plans.
Point-cloud classification identifies which points represent ground, vegetation, buildings, noise and other features. The labels help you select the points that belong in the surface or deliverable you are preparing.
Manual classification on your desktop
SkyView Desktop's beta includes manual point-cloud classification and editing. Open the resulting or imported cloud, inspect it, select the points you want to change and assign the appropriate class. Classification is a separate editing step after reconstruction.
Automatic point-cloud classification is deferred and is not included in this beta. An imported cloud may already contain classes; review those labels before using them for a ground surface or quantity calculation.
Selection tools and Quick classification buttons
Use the manual selection and cleanup tools, Quick classification buttons and keyboard shortcuts 1–6 to label points. Remap the shortcuts for the job and use custom classes where needed. The existing manual workflow remains available.
- Ground: review the points needed for bare-earth surfaces, contours and cut-and-fill work.
- Vegetation: separate trees, brush and crops from the ground points.
- Buildings and structures: identify roofs, walls and other site structures.
- Noise: inspect outliers before excluding them from a deliverable.
Review the surface before delivery
A class label does not establish survey accuracy. Inspect the cloud and derived surface against the project's control and deliverable requirements. Equipment, canopy, roofs and gaps in capture coverage need particular attention.
Export your classification work
SkyView exports LAS 1.4 point format 7, preserving the ASPRS class range and custom class values. This preserves the labels you have assigned; it does not imply that an automatic classifier has checked every point.
Keep processing local
Reconstruct and edit on your own hardware, keep intermediate files with the project and export the finished deliverables when ready. SkyView subscription plans do not charge a per-map cloud processing fee.
Read more about DSM and DTM surfaces or cut-and-fill volumes.