Python loop Polygon to raster not working?

Question

I want to convert a large number of different shp polygons to raster in ArcGIS 10.1, using an existing field column "class" for the new raster classes. I am not very fluent in python but I thought this would work, and it doesn´t:

 # Import arcpy module
 import arcpy
... # Local variables:
... project_input = "D:\\RESEARCH_PROJECTS\\NORD-STAR\\AMAZONIA\\1-RAW_DATA\\INPE\\PRODES DIGITAL\\2004\\"
... raster_output = "D:\\RESEARCH_PROJECTS\\NORD-STAR\\AMAZONIA\\1-RAW_DATA\\INPE\\PRODES DIGITAL\\2004\\convert\\"
... # List features
... arcpy.env.workspace = project_input
... fcList = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses() 
... # Loop
... for featureClass in fcList:
... # Output
...     raster_outputpath = raster_output + featureClass
... 
... # Process: Polygon to Raster
...     arcpy.PolygonToRaster_conversion(featureClass, "CLASS", raster_output, "CELL_CENTER", "NONE", "30")
...     print "finished polygon to raster" 
...     
Runtime error  Traceback (most recent call last):   File "", line 20, in    File "c:\program files (x86)\arcgis\desktop10.1\arcpy\arcpy\conversion.py", line 2436, in PolygonToRaster     raise e ExecuteError: ERROR 999999: Error executing function. Failed to execute (PolygonToRaster). 

The script actually calls the first polygon, but that is it:

Executing: PolygonToRaster "D:\RESEARCH_PROJECTS\NORD-STAR\AMAZONIA\1-RAW_DATA\INPE\PRODES DIGITAL\2004\PDigital2004_00157_pol.shp" CLASS "D:\RESEARCH_PROJECTS\NORD-STAR\AMAZONIA\1-RAW_DATA\INPE\PRODES DIGITAL\2004\convert\" CELL_CENTER NONE 30 Start Time: Wed Nov 21 15:17:11 2012 ERROR 999999: Error executing function. Failed to execute (PolygonToRaster). Failed at Wed Nov 21 15:17:11 2012 (Elapsed Time: 0,00 seconds)

Answer 1

The problem is that your code defines raster_outputpath but you try to save the raster in raster_output.

Change this line:

arcpy.PolygonToRaster_conversion(featureClass, "CLASS", raster_output, "CELL_CENTER", "NONE", "30")

To:

arcpy.PolygonToRaster_conversion(featureClass, "CLASS", raster_outputpath, "CELL_CENTER", "NONE", "30")

Answer 2

Try the following suggestions:

Lines 4 and 5 Your files have characters such as "-" and " " which can lead to bugs. I rearranged your script--hopefully these changes will help.

# Import arcpy module
import arcpy
from arcpy import env

#Set working environment
env.workspace = "D:\\RESEARCH_PROJECTS\\NORD-STAR\\AMAZONIA\\1-RAW_DATA\\INPE\\PRODES DIGITAL\\2004"
Dir = env.workspace

#List FCs
fcList = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses() 

# Loop
for fc in fcList:

     output = Dir + "\\" + fc + "_ras"

     # Process: Polygon to Raster
     arcpy.PolygonToRaster_conversion(fc, "CLASS", output, "CELL_CENTER", "", "30")

print "finished polygon to raster" 

Answer 3

When I look ESRI online help it looks like arcpy.PolygonToRaster_conversion() expects a number for the cell_size and it looks like you are passing it a string. Try this instead and see if it works. arcpy.PolygonToRaster_conversion(featureClass, "CLASS",raster_output, "CELL_CENTER", "NONE", 30)

Answer 4

EDIT

I just ran a test using the following on a polygon representing the CA boundary:

 arcpy.PolygonToRaster_conversion(featureClass, "CLASS", raster_output, "CELL_CENTER", "NONE", 30)

It worked fine, so the problem may be with your polygon or your directory structure. I would try running Repair Geometry on your polygon features and ensure that your directories have no spaces in them (it sounds dumb, but having spaces in SOME directories can cause problems). Additionally, if you're running this in ArcMap as opposed to an IDE, disable background processing.

Initial reply:

I couldn't find anything on the proper input values for the priority_filed parameter (the fifth parameter). Try replacing "NONE" with empty double quotes ("") as it is an optional parameter and can thus be left at default if you don't have specific use for it:

arcpy.PolygonToRaster_conversion(featureClass, "CLASS", raster_output, "CELL_CENTER", "", "30")

Answer 5

I had a similar issue using the same tool.

I often use a .tif format as the output and that solves issues that arise with the GRID format.

JJH