--- title: How to use LiDAR in Scanifly description: LiDAR is a data reference layer that can be used both in Prelim design as well as Scanifly3D. --- [Skip to content](https://help.scanifly.com/how-to-use-lidar-in-scanifly#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![SCANIFLY-LOGO-Color-2022.jpg\]](https://help.scanifly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SCANIFLY-LOGO-Color-2022.jpg?height=40&name=SCANIFLY-LOGO-Color-2022.jpg) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations Hi, how can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.scanifly.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Scanifly Remote Design](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-remote-design?hsLang=en) 3. [Remote Design Training](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-remote-design?hsLang=en#remote-design-training) # How to use LiDAR in Scanifly ## LiDAR is a data reference layer that can be used both in Prelim design as well as Scanifly3D. ### ![](https://help.scanifly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-15-2023-09-04-29-3008-PM.png?width=518&height=377&name=image-png-Dec-15-2023-09-04-29-3008-PM.png) ### What is Lidar? Lidar provides precise 3D information about the Earth's shape and surface using pulsed laser light. It can enhance existing data in Prelim or On-site design, helping to better understand trees and structures on site.  ### How do I access LiDAR? When your project loads up, LiDAR can be found in the [Reference Layers](https://help.scanifly.com/reference-layers?hsLang=en) within the Layers Menu on the left side of the screen. If you see a loading icon instead of a checkbox, that means that the LiDAR data is still being loaded into the project. ![](https://help.scanifly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-14-2023-07-29-16-4630-PM.png?width=505&height=330&name=image-png-Dec-14-2023-07-29-16-4630-PM.png) ### Adjusting the LiDAR layer When you first load up the LiDAR data, it will often need some aligning with the map layer. This is due to the map data and the LiDAR data coming from different sources. Luckily, we can very easily align these two layers. 1. Click on the compass at the top left of the scene so that you are looking straight down at the map + LiDAR. Click on the word "LiDAR" in the reference layers menu in order to open up the LiDAR settings. ![lidar adjust 1](https://help.scanifly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lidar%20adjust%201.gif?width=632&height=337&name=lidar%20adjust%201.gif) 2. Hold click anywhere on the LiDAR data other than the blue arrow in the middle, and drag your mouse around until your structure matches up with the LiDAR shape. You can also use your arrow keys or the Offset Adjustment in the left hand panel to fine tune your adjustments. ![lidar adjust 2](https://help.scanifly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lidar%20adjust%202.gif?width=638&height=340&name=lidar%20adjust%202.gif) 3. Orient your view to an oblique angle. By changing to a more diagonal view, you will be able to more accurately adjust the height of the LiDAR. Then, hold click on the blue arrow in the middle of the scene, and lower it until you see the facades of the house meet level with the baselayer image. (You can also use your arrow keys or the Offset Adjustment in the left hand panel to fine tune your adjustments. ![lidar adjust 3](https://help.scanifly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lidar%20adjust%203.gif?width=631&height=336&name=lidar%20adjust%203.gif) 4. From here you can begin building out your project with the LiDAR on, off, or with an adjusted opacity so that it is not obstructing your view too much. We recommend starting by [getting a few segments made](https://help.scanifly.com/creating-outlines-for-remote-design?hsLang=en), and then reviewing their accuracy by referencing the LiDAR layer. ### Fit to LiDAR While LiDAR is available for both Prelim and Scanifly3D, Fit to LiDAR is a tool that is only available in our **Prelim** tool. Once you have adjusted the LiDAR as shown above, draw your first segment, and hit the "Fit to LiDAR" button in order to instantly snap to the height and tilt of the LiDAR data. ![fit to lidar](https://help.scanifly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fit%20to%20lidar.gif?width=670&height=357&name=fit%20to%20lidar.gif)   - [Getting Started](https://help.scanifly.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Start Here](https://help.scanifly.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#start-here) - [Technical Requirements](https://help.scanifly.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#technical-requirements) - [Scanifly PV System Design](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-pv-system-design?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Individual Features / Design Tools](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-pv-system-design?hsLang=en#individual-features-design-tools) - [Design Tools & Project Info](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-pv-system-design?hsLang=en#design-tools-project-info) - [Site Assessment Tools](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-pv-system-design?hsLang=en#site-assessment-tools) - [Exports](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-pv-system-design?hsLang=en#exports) - [FAQ's](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-pv-system-design?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Design Services](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-pv-system-design?hsLang=en#design-services) - [Customer Portal Admin](https://help.scanifly.com/customer-portal-admin?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Managing Projects](https://help.scanifly.com/customer-portal-admin?hsLang=en#managing-projects) - [Sharing Projects](https://help.scanifly.com/customer-portal-admin?hsLang=en#sharing-projects) - [User Settings](https://help.scanifly.com/customer-portal-admin?hsLang=en#user-settings) - [My Projects](https://help.scanifly.com/customer-portal-admin?hsLang=en#my-projects) - [Team Management](https://help.scanifly.com/customer-portal-admin?hsLang=en#team-management) - [Drone FAQs](https://help.scanifly.com/drone-faqs?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAA Part 107 & Airspace](https://help.scanifly.com/drone-faqs?hsLang=en#faa-part-107-airspace) - [Photo Acquisition](https://help.scanifly.com/drone-faqs?hsLang=en#photo-acquisition) - [Drones](https://help.scanifly.com/drone-faqs?hsLang=en#drones) - [On-Site Photo FAQs](https://help.scanifly.com/on-site-photo-faqs?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Drone Training](https://help.scanifly.com/on-site-photo-faqs?hsLang=en#drone-training) - [Solar FAQs](https://help.scanifly.com/solar-faqs?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Weather Data](https://help.scanifly.com/solar-faqs?hsLang=en#weather-data) - [Production Factors](https://help.scanifly.com/solar-faqs?hsLang=en#production-factors) - [Request Services](https://help.scanifly.com/request-services?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Service Request Pricing](https://help.scanifly.com/request-services?hsLang=en#service-request-pricing) - [Service Requests Design Stages](https://help.scanifly.com/request-services?hsLang=en#service-requests-design-stages) - [Service Request Offerings](https://help.scanifly.com/request-services?hsLang=en#service-request-offerings) - [Scanifly iOS and Android App](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-ios-and-android-app?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Mobile Upload Troubleshooting](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-ios-and-android-app?hsLang=en#mobile-upload-troubleshooting) - [Mobile Device Requirements](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-ios-and-android-app?hsLang=en#mobile-device-requirements) - [Mobile App Training](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-ios-and-android-app?hsLang=en#mobile-app-training) - [Scanifly Remote Design](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-remote-design?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Remote Design Training](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-remote-design?hsLang=en#remote-design-training) - [Scanifly Proposal Tool](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-proposal-tool?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-proposal-tool?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Building a Proposal](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-proposal-tool?hsLang=en#building-a-proposal) - [Setup and Global Settings](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-proposal-tool?hsLang=en#setup-and-global-settings) - [Equipment and Variables](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-proposal-tool?hsLang=en#equipment-and-variables) - [Template Builder](https://help.scanifly.com/scanifly-proposal-tool?hsLang=en#template-builder) - [Integrations](https://help.scanifly.com/integrations?hsLang=en) - [Release Notes](https://help.scanifly.com/release-notes?hsLang=en#main-content) - [2026](https://help.scanifly.com/release-notes?hsLang=en#2026) - [2025](https://help.scanifly.com/release-notes?hsLang=en#2025) - [2024](https://help.scanifly.com/release-notes?hsLang=en#2024) - [2023](https://help.scanifly.com/release-notes?hsLang=en#2023) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.scanifly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SCANIFLY-LOGO-2022.png?width=79&height=24&name=SCANIFLY-LOGO-2022.png "Chill listening crop-3")](http://scanifly.com) Scanifly, Inc. 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