How to create a real Canada course with Lidar data

[David Shen]

Hello Everyone，
I am very new player on TGC 2019, and start to create real course by Chad's Tool. The two most important parts for a real course are Lidar data and layout. The Layout part is no problem with using the Open Street Map. But the most challenge part is how to get the lidar data that Chad's tool can recognize.

After 2 days research, I have got the lidar data from Ontario Land Information Website. Everyone can also get that lidar data for free from the following link. https://geohub.lio.gov.on.ca/dataset...9.847%2C46.309


I can open and see the land elevation files from QGIS software(an open source software). I want to build my home course Cardinal Red Crest, the following is that area.


Every thing looks good so far. But finally, I realized the Elevation Data file what I downloaded are in DEM raster formats (.img/.tiff with.xml) not the raw LiDAR point clouds format (.las/.laz) that Chad's tool supported. So the next thing is to convert DEM raster format to point clouds format, but it is a very difficult thing. After another two days research, I can convert the .tiff files to .las files with SAGA GIS latest version(an open source software). Please check the following screenshot.

It looks good again. 😃
But when I copy the .las file to my course building folder and run Chad's tool, it report an error that it needs a metadata file(.xml) for the .las file. Then I manually create a metadata file (.xml). Then the next error is "Sorry, this lidar data is not classified and I can't support it right now. Ask for help on the forum or your lidar provider if they have a classified version."

This is the point I went so far. I need help. Is there anyone know what I did wrong? what is the correct way to build a real Canada course with Lidar data in DEM raster format？

[David Shen]

Let me see about putting together some kind of step by step tutorial over the weekend in how I use it. I use Global Mapper software to import, convert, classify, manipulate, and export as LAS file and it all works out fine. And it can sometimes be better to do it that way.I will try to explain more over the weekend.

If you can share with me a DEM file that you want to classify and convert to LAS for importing into CHad's tool, then I would be use that as the subject of a tutorial. Otherwise, I can use one of my Japanese courses as I only have DEM available for them.

Cheers,

Stephen

Dear sirish19 ,
Sounds great! I will wait for your tutorial before my computer this weekend. 😃
I uploaded the four tiles that cover the golf course Red Crest to my google drive. Please download them from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ccn...ew?usp=sharing
Following screenshot is the four tiles look like in QGIS.

[sirish19]

Hi sirish19 , it's a very great news that you can "classify the data, and then export to a LAS format that Chad's tool will recognize.". Can you let us know how did you do that? I really want to know, because the LiDAR point cloud data does not covert all the place in Ontario. But the DEM data already cover all the place. Yes, the DEM data is not as accurate as Las/LAZ, but it's better than nothing.
Do you use SAGA GIS to do the conversion job? And please let us know all the steps and details. Thank you very much!

Let me see about putting together some kind of step by step tutorial over the weekend in how I use it. I use Global Mapper software to import, convert, classify, manipulate, and export as LAS file and it all works out fine. And it can sometimes be better to do it that way.I will try to explain more over the weekend.

If you can share with me a DEM file that you want to classify and convert to LAS for importing into CHad's tool, then I would be use that as the subject of a tutorial. Otherwise, I can use one of my Japanese courses as I only have DEM available for them.

Cheers,

Stephen

[David Shen]

Good luck and we'll look forward to playing your course soon.

In these days, I am working on my first real Course with lidar and real layout. The course name is Richmond Hill GC. It's 95% done. I will publish it in this forum when it done. I played at Richomnd Hill GC for many times. I found the elevation and terrain situation of the Sim course is as same as the real one. Check the following pictures, compare the same place with Google map.

[David Shen]

Hi David Shen it is great that you could find the LiDAR data for free. Just as an FYI, but you can actually create a course using DEM raster data. I am in Japan and trying to build courses here but only DEM data is available so I went through the same dilemma as you (including trying to figure out how to do things in SAGA GIS) but could never get it figured out. I finally ended up with Global Mapper and with that, I can pull in the DEM files, classify the data, and then export to a LAS format that Chad's tool will recognize. I ended up getting the license for Global Mapper as well as the LiDAR module (and it wasn't cheap), but it was well worth it in my opinion. The DEM data may not be as high of resolution as LiDAR so by all means, get the LiDAR if you can find it, but don't give up on DEM is that is all you can find.

Good luck and we'll look forward to playing your course soon.

Hi sirish19 , it's a very great news that you can "classify the data, and then export to a LAS format that Chad's tool will recognize.". Can you let us know how did you do that? I really want to know, because the LiDAR point cloud data does not covert all the place in Ontario. But the DEM data already cover all the place. Yes, the DEM data is not as accurate as Las/LAZ, but it's better than nothing.
Do you use SAGA GIS to do the conversion job? And please let us know all the steps and details. Thank you very much!

[sirish19]

Hi David Shen it is great that you could find the LiDAR data for free. Just as an FYI, but you can actually create a course using DEM raster data. I am in Japan and trying to build courses here but only DEM data is available so I went through the same dilemma as you (including trying to figure out how to do things in SAGA GIS) but could never get it figured out. I finally ended up with Global Mapper and with that, I can pull in the DEM files, classify the data, and then export to a LAS format that Chad's tool will recognize. I ended up getting the license for Global Mapper as well as the LiDAR module (and it wasn't cheap), but it was well worth it in my opinion. The DEM data may not be as high of resolution as LiDAR so by all means, get the LiDAR if you can find it, but don't give up on DEM is that is all you can find.

Good luck and we'll look forward to playing your course soon.

[David Shen]

Well, National, Hamilton, Mississaugua, Burlington, Glenn Abby, Coppinwood, Devils Pulpit, Weston already exist so don’t start with them.

Hi Mthumt, Thank you let me know that. That really saved my time. 😃

[mthunt]

Got it. Misunderstood. I got the tiles for Toronto GC so I’ll see how it is.

[mthunt]

I want to do Cardinal Red Crest and Bond Head first. Then Richmond Hill, AG, and some Clublinks' Golden or better level Courses. And some private courses in GTA. Meanwhile, I also want to build Glen abbey, that course might be closed soon. It will be just in our memory.

Well, National, Hamilton, Mississaugua, Burlington, Glenn Abby, Coppinwood, Devils Pulpit, Weston already exist so don’t start with them.

[David Shen]

You did that by classifying data using IMG files? I’ll read your write up again. Those files are not accurate but they will give elevations.

No, I didn't use the data from Land Information Ontario website, their DEM raster GEOTiff format might be good as well, but those format cannot be accepted by Chad's Tool. Unless, someone improve Chad's software to support more Lidar Data format.
Finally, I use the data from http://geo2.scholarsportal.info/#_lang=en, which is suggested by pchyen this morning. I just posted my question this morning, and then he give me a correct answer within 2 minutes. Just like he always be there ready to help me. 😂👍
But something is a little bit different. For now, you do not need to send a email to lio@ontario.ca. Because you can directly download the Laz data file from that website, you even don't need to login with a student ID. What you need to do is to look for the tiles covered your course, then download it. For Richmond Hill GC, I just download four tiles, please check the following screenshot. So very quick to finish download. And chrome browser can work perfect as well. So it's better than the U.S. one. 😂

[mthunt]

I already use this way to create 2 holes(Hole 1 and Hole 18) in Richmond Hill GC. The result is prefect, I familiar with that course very well. The terrain in GC 2019 looks the same as it really is.

You did that by classifying data using IMG files? I’ll read your write up again. Those files are not accurate but they will give elevations.

[David Shen]

I believe, now everyone can create a real raw Canadian course with real elevation and precise layout in one day easily for sure. The next thing need to do is just decorate your course, it will spend you a lot of time, but it's a cool job.

[David Shen]

I glot lidar using your method. Let's see how it is.

I already use this way to create 2 holes(Hole 1 and Hole 18) in Richmond Hill GC. The result is prefect, I familiar with that course very well. The terrain in GC 2019 looks the same as it really is.

[David Shen]

What courses are you doing?

I want to do Cardinal Red Crest and Bond Head first. Then Richmond Hill, AG, and some Clublinks' Golden or better level Courses. And some private courses in GTA. Meanwhile, I also want to build Glen abbey, that course might be closed soon. It will be just in our memory.

[mthunt]

Doing: Deer Rige Golf Club & Crosswinds Golf Club.

tried to start on Innerkip Highlands but OSM data (newest Bing map was from 2016) won’t line up with Lidar Data (2018). Going to give up for now on this one.

I glot lidar using your method. Let's see how it is.

[pchyen]

What courses are you doing?

Doing: Deer Rige Golf Club & Crosswinds Golf Club.

tried to start on Innerkip Highlands but OSM data (newest Bing map was from 2016) won’t line up with Lidar Data (2018). Going to give up for now on this one.