Dense Point Cloud Capture

LiDAR Survey
UK

Professional aerial LiDAR survey for infrastructure, topographic and structural applications. Dense point cloud capture with centimetre-accurate RTK georeferencing. LAS output compatible with all major processing platforms.

Where photogrammetry captures surface texture, LiDAR captures geometry. In vegetated areas, complex structures and low-light conditions where photogrammetry struggles, LiDAR delivers the precise 3D data your project requires.

CAA GVC Authorised
RTK Georeferenced
LAS Format Output
Vegetation Penetration
High Point Density
At a Glance
LAS
Industry-standard point cloud format
RTK
Centimetre-accurate georeferencing
cm
Point spacing at survey altitude
LAS
Format Output
Multi-Return
Capability
RTK
Georeferenced
DTM + DSM
Terrain Models

The Canopy process

Every engagement follows a structured methodology that ensures accurate data, legally defensible outputs and actionable results.

01
Survey Design

Flight altitude, speed and overlap designed to achieve the required point density for your application. RTK GNSS ground control established for accurate georeferencing.

02
LiDAR Capture

Systematic LiDAR capture across the survey area. Multi-return capability captures vegetation canopy and ground returns simultaneously.

03
Point Cloud Processing

Raw LiDAR returns processed, classified and georeferenced. Ground, vegetation, structure and noise classifications applied. Accuracy report generated.

04
Data Delivery

Classified LAS point cloud delivered. DTM and DSM generated from ground and surface returns. Integration support for your GIS and analysis platform.

Built for clients who cannot afford to get it wrong

CAA GVC authorised. ITC Level 2 certified. ISO 18434-1 compliant. Every Canopy engagement is backed by the qualifications, methodology and insurance your procurement team requires.

Vegetation Penetration

Ground Data Under Cover

LiDAR multi-return capability captures returns from both the vegetation canopy and the ground surface beneath. This enables accurate terrain modelling in areas where photogrammetry cannot see through to the ground — woodland, scrub, hedgerows and dense vegetation corridors.

Structural Precision

Complex Geometry Capture

LiDAR captures the precise 3D geometry of complex structures — pipe racks, lattice frameworks, cable corridors and civil infrastructure — with a density and accuracy that photogrammetry cannot match on non-textured surfaces.

High Point Density

Detailed Surface Model

Modern LiDAR payloads deliver hundreds of points per square metre at survey altitude, enabling detailed surface modelling for structural analysis, volume calculation, change detection and engineering design.

Multi-Return Processing

Simultaneous Surface Layers

Multi-return LiDAR captures first and last returns from every laser pulse. First returns represent the canopy or structure surface. Last returns represent the ground. Both are delivered as separate classified layers in the LAS output.

DTM and DSM Output

Terrain and Surface Models

Digital Terrain Model (ground surface, vegetation removed) and Digital Surface Model (including all above-ground features) generated from the same LiDAR dataset. Both delivered as georeferenced GeoTIFF alongside the full point cloud.

Combined Survey Value

LiDAR with Photogrammetry

The highest-value survey combines LiDAR geometry capture with photogrammetric texture capture. LiDAR delivers precise 3D structure; photogrammetry delivers the visual context. Canopy delivers both datasets from a single mobilisation, aligned to the same coordinate system.

What operators need to know

What is aerial LiDAR survey?+
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey uses laser pulses emitted from a sensor mounted on an unmanned aircraft to measure the precise distance to surfaces below. By recording the time taken for each laser pulse to return, the system builds a dense 3D point cloud representing the geometry of the terrain and structures below. Unlike photogrammetry, LiDAR is not dependent on surface texture or lighting conditions, and multi-return capability allows it to penetrate vegetation.
What is the difference between LiDAR and photogrammetry?+
Photogrammetry creates 3D models from overlapping photographs — it captures surface texture extremely well but requires visible surface features to match between images. LiDAR uses laser pulses to directly measure 3D geometry — it works in low light, on untextured surfaces and through vegetation, but does not capture colour or texture information. The two methods are complementary: LiDAR for precise geometry, photogrammetry for visual context. Canopy frequently combines both in a single survey programme.
What is a LAS file?+
LAS is the industry-standard file format for storing LiDAR point cloud data. It records the 3D coordinates (X, Y, Z), intensity and classification of every point in the dataset. LAS files are compatible with all major GIS platforms including ArcGIS and QGIS, specialist point cloud software such as CloudCompare and LAStools, and BIM and civil engineering tools including Civil 3D and Revit. Canopy delivers all LiDAR data in LAS format.
What applications is LiDAR survey used for?+
LiDAR survey is used across a wide range of applications. Topographic survey for engineering design and planning. Flood risk and drainage modelling using bare-earth DTM. Vegetation management and corridor survey for utilities and rail. Structural survey of complex industrial assets. Volume calculation for stockpiles and earthworks. Change detection for subsidence monitoring and coastal erosion. Digital twin generation combined with photogrammetry.
How accurate is aerial LiDAR survey?+
With RTK GNSS georeferencing, Canopy aerial LiDAR surveys typically achieve vertical accuracy of 5-10cm and horizontal accuracy of 5-15cm. Actual accuracy depends on flying altitude, point density, ground control configuration and terrain characteristics. A full accuracy report is provided with every deliverable.

Tell us about your LiDAR survey requirement.

We will discuss your application, the required point density and the right flight parameters for your project.