# Intensity Filter and Picker

The **intensity** feature in a LAS file represents the strength of the laser pulse return from a surface when captured by a LiDAR sensor. Think of it like how a flashlight reflects differently off various surfaces—bright surfaces reflect more light, while dark surfaces reflect less.

{% hint style="success" %} <img src="/files/qchq9tcQpS8cX7YBw03I" alt="" data-size="line"> Typically stored as a **16-bit integer (0 to 65,535)**. Higher values mean stronger reflections.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/U9NkXYUEnXidnTS9JdfE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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## Benefits

* **Material Classification:** Helps distinguish between different materials.
* **Road and Infrastructure Mapping**: Enhances visibility of lane markings.
* **Vegetation/Water Bodies Analysis:** Differentiates between tree types and water bodies.

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## Steps to Use Intensity Filter

1. Open [Tool Settings->Point Colors](/annotation-tool/tool-layout.md#point-colours)
2. Select anyone of the most suitable intensity filters:
   * Intensity (B-G-Y-R)
   * Intensity (B-C-T-G-Li-Y-O-R)
   * Intensity (Rainbow)
   * Intensity Grayscale
3. Identify the area that has a reflective surface, however, the intensity is clearly low. Using the `Shortcut CTRL+Shift+left-click,` *pick* the intensity of the point cloud. This action is called the *Intensity Picker*.
4. A message informing the user of the intensity value picked appears.
5. At the same time, the *Intensity Controls Slider*, will set the minimum value to `(picked intensity - 1)` or `0`, whichever is higher. Similarly, the maximum value value is set to `(picked intensity - 1)` or `100,` whichever is less.
6. Using the slider, or the min and max input fields, further adjustments can be made.
7. On the point cloud, you will see the intensity colors are sharpened for all intensity values that lie within the range in the *Intensity Controls Slider*. The remaining are either blue and/or red.
   * When the intensity values are very low, this view can be straining on the eyes due to the color schema, and it is recommended to use the [Isolate](/annotation-tool/key-features/isolate.md) feature to reduce the color noise. The Isolate feature can also be applied prior to Step 3.


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