In this talk, we will look into using open source software to process LIDAR data in a way that enables us to get a completely new look on the landscape and see what is otherwise hidden. Together, we will explore some of the possibilities of LIDAR and open source software. Among the biggest achievements are high-resolution special visualizations for the whole territory of Slovakia that are used to identify previously unknown archaeological features and sites as well as other features present in the landscape. We have also successfully used LIDAR data to create 3D models and to document the ruins of castles and their reconstructions using special processing of the data.

In Slovakia, the state administration body Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Authority of the Slovak Republic provides classified point clouds for free. These point clouds have high spatial accuracy (about 5 cm) and high point density (about 20-40 the points of the last reflection per square meter). The combination of open data and open source software is an excellent playground where the only limitation is your skill, your imagination - and the electricity bill.