Tools: Convert ASCII to Raster

The Convert ASCII to Raster form combines two ArcGIS processing steps into one. It converts an integer or floating point ASCII file into a raster and defines the spatial reference at the same time. This form is most commonly used to post-process data created in FlamMap for further analysis and mapping in ArcMap. But it is not limited to FlamMap outputs, it can be used to convert any ASCII files.

ASCII File is theASCII file to be converted.

Outputs:

The Raster name must be less than 13 characters, does not start with a number, has no spaces, and has no special characters with the exception of an underscore.
The Data Type for the output raster can be either an Integer or Floating Point.
- An integer raster converts the data to whole numbers, it does not round the value, but rather truncates any information to the right of the decimal point (e.g., 1.678 > 1).
- Floating point rasters include the data to the right of the decimal point but cause the attribute table to become unavailable.
- For conversion of layers such as burn probability or canopy bulk density, floating point must be used, because the converted raster would be all 0s had it been converted as an integer raster.
The Spatial reference is set using the drop-down list.
The Target Folder is where the raster will be saved. The default is the output folder specified when setting up a project in the Project Settings form.

The Batch Convert ASCII to Raster form has the same functionality as the Convert ASCII to Raster form, with the added benefit of converting multiple files at once.

The Source Folder is the path to the ASCII files to be converted.

Exercise 38—Converting a single ASCII to a raster

In this exercise you will convert a crown fire activity ASCII file created in FlamMap5, to a projected raster.

Click the Tools button on the ArcFuels10 toolbar then select Convert ASCII to Raster from the drop-down list.

Fill out the Convert ASCII to Raster form following the figure below.

Click the OK button to create the raster.
A progress meter will open, then close after the shapefiles have been created.

Return to ArcMap.

The raster will be under the newly created Conversion Results grouping in the ArcMap table of contents.

Converted crown fire activity raster for a subarea of the Mt. Emily project area. 0=no fire, 1=surface fire, 2=passive crown fire, 3=active crown fire.

If you incorrectly name the raster, one of two error windows will open, indicating that the name is too long, or there is another problem (starts with a number, has a space, or has a special character), and the raster will not be created .

Exercise 39—Converting multiple ASCIIs from FlamMap5 to rasters

In this exercise burn probability (bp), flame length (fl), and rate of spread (rs) ASCII files created in FlamMap5 will be converted to projected floating point rasters.

Click the Tools button on the ArcFuels10 toolbar then select Batch Convert ASCII to Raster from the drop-down list.

Fill out the Batch Convert ASCII to Raster form following the figure below.

Click the Convert button to create the rasters.
A progress meter will open, then close after the shapefiles have been created.
A Finished window will open indicating how many of the files were converted.

Click the OK button to close the window.
Click the Close button to close the Batch Convert ASCII to Raster form.

Return to ArcMap

The newly converted raster will be under the newly created Conversion Results grouping in the ArcMap table of contents.
Typically the newest additions to a grouping are at the bottom.

If a raster already exists with the same name, a warning window will open asking if you would like to replace the existing raster.

To continue to the next section go to Export Shapefile Attributes.