https://github.com/mapiv/pypcd4
Read and write PCL .pcd files in python
https://github.com/mapiv/pypcd4
Last synced: 4 months ago
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Read and write PCL .pcd files in python
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/mapiv/pypcd4
- Owner: MapIV
- License: bsd-3-clause
- Created: 2023-09-01T02:10:59.000Z (over 2 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-06-20T08:31:50.000Z (10 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-06-20T09:36:24.210Z (10 months ago)
- Language: Python
- Size: 106 KB
- Stars: 96
- Watchers: 3
- Forks: 11
- Open Issues: 3
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE.txt
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README
# pypcd4
[](https://github.com/MapIV/pypcd4/actions/workflows/test.yaml)
## Table of Contents
- [pypcd4](#pypcd4)
- [Table of Contents](#table-of-contents)
- [Description](#description)
- [Installation](#installation)
- [Usage](#usage)
- [Getting Started](#getting-started)
- [Working with .pcd Files](#working-with-pcd-files)
- [Converting Between PointCloud and NumPy Array](#converting-between-pointcloud-and-numpy-array)
- [Creating Custom Conversion Methods](#creating-custom-conversion-methods)
- [Working with ROS PointCloud2 Messages](#working-with-ros-pointcloud2-messages)
- [Concatenating PointClouds](#concatenating-pointclouds)
- [Filtering a PointCloud](#filtering-a-pointcloud)
- [Using a Slice](#using-a-slice)
- [Using a Boolean Mask](#using-a-boolean-mask)
- [Using Field Names](#using-field-names)
- [Saving Your Work](#saving-your-work)
- [Contributing](#contributing)
- [Using Rye (Recommended)](#using-rye-recommended)
- [Using pip](#using-pip)
- [License](#license)
## Description
pypcd4 is a modern reimagining of the original [pypcd](https://github.com/dimatura/pypcd) library,
offering enhanced capabilities and performance for working with Point Cloud Data (PCD) files.
This library builds upon the foundation laid by the original pypcd while incorporating modern
Python3 syntax and methodologies to provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience.
## Installation
To get started with `pypcd4`, install it using pip:
```shell
pip install pypcd4
```
## Usage
Let’s walk through some examples of how you can use pypcd4:
### Getting Started
First, import the PointCloud class from pypcd4:
```python
from pypcd4 import PointCloud
```
### Working with .pcd Files
If you have a .pcd file, you can read it into a PointCloud object:
```python
pc: PointCloud = PointCloud.from_path("point_cloud.pcd")
pc.fields
# ('x', 'y', 'z', 'intensity')
```
### Converting Between PointCloud and NumPy Array
You can convert a PointCloud to a NumPy array:
```python
array: np.ndarray = pc.numpy()
array.shape
# (1000, 4)
```
You can also specify the fields you want to include in the conversion:
```python
array: np.ndarray = pc.numpy(("x", "y", "z"))
array.shape
# (1000, 3)
```
And you can convert a NumPy array back to a PointCloud.
The method you use depends on the fields in your array:
```python
# If the array has x, y, z, and intensity fields,
pc = PointCloud.from_xyzi_points(array)
# Or if the array has x, y, z, and label fields,
pc = PointCloud.from_xyzl_points(array, label_type=np.uint32)
```
#### Creating Custom Conversion Methods
If you can’t find your preferred point type in the pre-defined conversion methods,
you can create your own:
```python
fields = ("x", "y", "z", "intensity", "new_field")
types = (np.float32, np.float32, np.float32, np.float32, np.float64)
pc = PointCloud.from_points(array, fields, types)
```
### Working with ROS PointCloud2 Messages
You can convert a ROS PointCloud2 Message to a PointCloud and vice versa. This requires ROS installed and sourced, or [rosbags](https://ternaris.gitlab.io/rosbags/index.html) to be installed. To publish the converted message, ROS is required:
```python
def callback(in_msg: sensor_msgs.msg.PointCloud2):
# Convert ROS PointCloud2 Message to a PointCloud
pc = PointCloud.from_msg(in_msg)
pc.fields
# ("x", "y", "z", "intensity", "ring", "time")
# Convert PointCloud to ROS PointCloud2 Message with the input message header
out_msg = pc.to_msg(in_msg.header)
# Publish using ROS (or e.g. write to a rosbag)
publisher.publish(out_msg)
```
### Concatenating PointClouds
The `pypcd4` supports concatenating `PointCloud` objects together using the `+` operator.
This can be useful when you want to merge two point clouds into one.
Here's how you can use it:
```python
pc1: PointCloud = PointCloud.from_path("xyzi1.pcd")
pc2: PointCloud = PointCloud.from_path("xyzi2.pcd")
# Concatenate two PointClouds
pc3: PointCloud = pc1 + pc2
```
Concatenating many PointClouds in sequence can become slow, especially for large point counts. Using `PointCloud.from_list()` will be faster for those use cases:
```python
pc_list = []
for i in range(10):
pc_list.append(PointCloud.from_path(f"xyzi{i}.pcd"))
pc: PointCloud = PointCloud.from_list(pc_list)
```
Please note that to concatenate PointCloud objects, they must have the exact same fields and types. If they don’t, a `ValueError` will be raised.
### Filtering a PointCloud
The `pypcd4` library provides a convenient way to filter a `PointCloud` using a subscript.
#### Using a Slice
You can use a slice to access a range of points in the point cloud. Here’s an example:
```python
# Create a point cloud with random points
pc = PointCloud.from_xyz_points(np.random.rand(10, 3))
# Access points using a slice
subset = pc[3:8]
```
In this case, subset will be a new PointCloud object containing only the points from index 3 to 7.
#### Using a Boolean Mask
You can use a boolean mask to access points that satisfy certain conditions. Here’s an example:
```python
# Create a point cloud with random points
pc = PointCloud.from_xyz_points(np.random.rand(10000, 3))
# Create a boolean mask
mask = (pc.pc_data["x"] > 0.5) & (pc.pc_data["y"] < 0.5)
# Access points using the mask
subset = pc[mask]
```
In this case, subset will be a new PointCloud object containing only the points where the x-coordinate is greater than 0.5 and the y-coordinate is less than 0.5.
#### Using Field Names
You can use a field name or a sequence of field names to access specific fields in the point cloud. Here’s an example:
```python
# Create a point cloud with random points
pc = PointCloud.from_xyz_points(np.random.rand(100, 3))
# Access specific fields
subset = pc[("x", "y")]
```
In this case, subset will be a new PointCloud object containing only the x and y coordinates of the points.
The z-coordinate will not be included.
### Saving Your Work
Finally, you can save your PointCloud as a .pcd file:
```python
pc.save("nice_point_cloud.pcd")
```
## Contributing
We are always looking for contributors. If you are interested in contributing,
please run the lint and test before submitting a pull request:
### Using Rye (Recommended)
Just run the following command:
```bash
rye sync
rye run lint
```
### Using pip
Install the testing dependencies by the following command:
```bash
pip install mypy pytest ruff
```
Then run the following command:
```bash
ruff check --fix src
ruff format src
mypy src
pytest
```
Make sure all lints and tests pass before submitting a pull request.
## License
The library was rewritten and does not borrow any code from the original [pypcd](https://github.com/dimatura/pypcd) library.
Since it was heavily inspired by the original author's work, we extend his original BSD 3-Clause License and include his Copyright notice.