Point to Raster (Conversion)

License Level:BasicStandardAdvanced

Summary

Converts point features to a raster dataset.

Learn how the Point to Raster tool works

Usage

Syntax

PointToRaster_conversion (in_features, value_field, out_rasterdataset, {cell_assignment}, {priority_field}, {cellsize})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_features

The point or multipoint input feature dataset to be converted to a raster.

Feature Layer
value_field

The field used to assign values to the output raster.

It can be any field of the input feature dataset's attribute table.

If the Shape field of a point or multipoint dataset contains z or m values, then either of these can be used.

Field
out_rasterdataset

The output raster dataset to be created.

When not saving to a geodatabase, specify .tif for a TIFF file format, .img for an ERDAS IMAGINE file format, or no extension for an Esri Grid raster format.

Raster Dataset
cell_assignment
(Optional)

The method to determine how the cell will be assigned a value when more than one feature falls within a cell.

  • MOST_FREQUENTIf there is more than one feature within the cell, the one with the most common attribute, in <field>, is assigned to the cell. If they have the same number of common attributes, the one with the lowest FID is used.
  • SUMThe sum of the attributes of all the points within the cell (not valid for string data).
  • MEANThe mean of the attributes of all the points within the cell (not valid for string data).
  • STANDARD_DEVIATIONThe standard deviation of attributes of all the points within the cell. If there are less than two points in the cell, the cell is assigned NoData (not valid for string data).
  • MAXIMUMThe maximum value of the attributes of the points within the cell (not valid for string data).
  • MINIMUMThe minimum value of the attributes of the points within the cell (not valid for string data).
  • RANGEThe range of the attributes of the points within the cell (not valid for string data).
  • COUNTThe number of points within the cell.
String
priority_field
(Optional)

This field is used when a feature should take preference over another feature with the same attribute.

Priority field is only used with the MOST_FREQUENT cell assignment type option.

Field
cellsize
(Optional)

The cell size for the output raster dataset.

The default cell size is the shortest of the width or height of the extent of the input feature dataset, in the output spatial reference, divided by 250.

Analysis Cell Size

Code Sample

PointToRaster example 1 (Python window)

Converts point features to a raster dataset.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "c:/data"
arcpy.PointToRaster_conversion("ca_ozone_pts.shp", "ELEVATION", 
                                "c:/output/ca_elev", "MAXIMUM", "", 2000)
PointToRaster example 2 (stand-alone script)

Converts point features to a raster dataset.

# Name: PointToRaster_Ex_02.py
# Description: Converts point features to a raster dataset.

# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env

# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/data"

# Set local variables
inFeatures = "ca_ozone_pts.shp"
valField = "ELEVATION"
outRaster = "c:/output/ca_elev02"
assignmentType = "MAXIMUM"
priorityField = ""
cellSize = 2000

# Execute PointToRaster
arcpy.PointToRaster_conversion(inFeatures, valField, outRaster, 
                               assignmentType, priorityField, cellSize)

Environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Requires Spatial Analyst or 3D Analyst
ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Requires Spatial Analyst or 3D Analyst
ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes
3/3/2014