Published on 8 January 2024

swissSURFACE3D

swissSURFACE3D models all natural and man-made objects of the surface of Switzerland in the form of a classified point cloud. These high-accuracy and high spatial density data are collected by airborne LiDAR. 

The classified point cloud of Switzerland

Based on airborne LiDAR, swissSURFACE^3D contains several millions of points per km2. These points are irregularly spaced between them and model the landscape in 3D with a high spatial density. Each measurement has very accurate X, Y, Z coordinates and is classified according to a predefined classification that defines the type of measured objects.  

Applications

• Automatic 3D modelling of buildings and other landscape objects
• Volumes calculation
• Study of the forest: map of cuts, calculation of biomass, planning of cuts, digital canopy models
• 3D modelling of ground-based elements under vegetation cover such as forest roads or watercourses
• Creation of digital terrain models
• Creation of digital surface models

swissSURFACE^3D is available on the entire Switzerland and Liechtenstein since 2024 (see planning).

Terms of use

Additional information

• Technical details

  Structure: The data are delivered by complete 1 km² tiles.

  Format and file sizes

  • Since 2024 / Eastern parto of Switzerland: Cloud optimized point cloud LAZ 1.4 (COPC)
    ~ 200 MB / tile
  • Until 2024 / Canton of Berne: LAS 1.2
    ~ 610 MB / tile
  • CSV (X;Y;Z;Class;Modified Julian Date): on request

  Classification of data from 2024 onwards / Eastern Switzerland

  Classification of data until 2024, including Berne

  Points density from 2024 onwards / Eastern Switzerland: Minimum 15 pts/m², mean around 25-40 pts/m²

  Points density until 2024 / Canton of Berne: Minimum 5 pts/m², mean around 15-20 pts/m²

  Coordinates system: LV95 – LN02 

  Planimetric accuracy: +/- 20 cm (1 sigma)

  Altimetric accuracy: +/- 10 cm (1 sigma) 

  Update: An update in six stages is planned from 2024 to 2029. 

  *American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

• Documents

  Almost all publications concerning swissALTI^3D  are only available in German and French. Please select your preferred language in the navigation bar to view the desired document.

• Sample data

  • swissSURFACE3D LV95 / LN02

  The sample data show their type and format. They are free of charge and can be used for test purposes only. It is not allowed to include them in a product.

swissSURFACE3D - Download