What is LAZ?
LAZ is the compressed form of LAS. It keeps point-cloud deliveries smaller, but you still need a clear preview to know whether the file is the right one.
Fastest way to open LAZ on Mac
Select the LAZ file in Finder and press Space. GeoPreview renders the point cloud so you can check coverage and basic metadata before opening a dedicated LiDAR tool.
Quick check before you use the file
Before you send it on or open a bigger GIS project, GeoPreview helps you confirm:
- coverage and rough density before you open a heavier point-cloud tool
- whether the preview looks sane in seconds
- metadata such as CRS and basic point counts right in Finder
Alternative tools
Dedicated LiDAR tools and full GIS apps make sense for classification, editing, and deeper analysis. For a quick preview, GeoPreview is faster and keeps the file local.
Need to convert or export it?
Preview comes first for LiDAR. If a supported export is available, GeoPreview keeps it in Finder; if not, you still get the fast point-cloud preview and metadata before moving into a heavier tool.