Conversion problem with ‘Feature to Raster’: resulting Raster not visible in ArcMap

Symbology Shenanigans:

• The Problem: ArcMap might be rendering the raster in a way that makes it appear invisible. Think of it like this: if the raster values are outside the range ArcMap expects, or if it’s using a transparent color scheme, you won’t see a thing.
• The Solution: This is usually the first place to look.
  • Check Your Symbology: Right-click the raster layer in the Table of Contents and go to “Properties,” then click the “Symbology” tab. Make sure you’ve got a suitable renderer selected. “Stretched” is your friend for continuous data, while “Classified” works best for discrete data.
  • Tweak the Stretch Type: If you’re using “Stretched,” play around with the “Stretch Type” options. “Minimum-Maximum” and “Standard Deviations” can work wonders for bringing out the contrast.
  • Calculate Those Stats: Hit the “Statistics” button and calculate the statistics for the raster. This gives ArcMap the info it needs to display the data properly. Trust me, it makes a difference.
  • NoData? No Problem: Make sure “NoData” values are defined correctly and displayed the way you want. You can set them to a specific color or make them transparent in the Symbology tab.

Data Range Blues:

• The Problem: If your raster’s data values are all clumped together in a narrow range, you’ll get low contrast. It’ll look almost uniform, which can make it seem invisible.
• The Solution: Time to boost that contrast!
  • Histogram Equalization to the Rescue: Apply a histogram equalization stretch. In the Symbology tab, pick a stretch type that uses histogram equalization. It’s like magic for bringing out details.
  • Manually Set the Min and Max: You can also manually set the minimum and maximum display values in the Symbology tab. This lets you focus on the data range that matters.

Pyramids and Statistics – Don’t Skip These!

• The Problem: Got a huge raster dataset? If you haven’t built pyramids (those reduced-resolution versions), it’ll be slow to display. Plus, missing or incorrect raster statistics can mess with the rendering.
• The Solution: A little prep work goes a long way.
  • Build Those Pyramids: Right-click the raster in ArcCatalog or the Catalog window and select “Build Pyramids.” This creates a multi-resolution version, so it displays faster when you zoom in and out.
  • Calculate Statistics (Again): Right-click the raster again and select “Calculate Statistics.” Just do it. You’ll thank me later.

Coordinate System Conundrums:

• The Problem: If the raster’s coordinate system is different from the data frame in ArcMap, or if its spatial extent is way outside the current view, it won’t show up where you expect it to.
• The Solution: Let’s get everything aligned.
  • Define the Projection: Make sure the raster has a defined coordinate system. If not, use the “Define Projection” tool to assign the correct one.
  • Zoom to the Layer: Right-click the raster layer in the Table of Contents and select “Zoom to Layer.” This will zoom the map to the raster’s boundaries, so you can actually see it.

Uh Oh, File Corruption:

• The Problem: This is less common, but sometimes the raster file itself gets corrupted. When that happens, ArcMap can’t display it correctly.
• The Solution:
  • Try Again: Re-run the “Feature to Raster” tool to create a new raster from the original feature class.
  • Check the File Size: Is the output raster file size reasonable? A tiny file size could mean the conversion failed or produced an empty raster.

Pixel Type Puzzles:

• The Problem: The pixel type (like floating point or integer) and bit depth of the raster can affect how it displays. Sometimes, the wrong pixel type can cause rendering issues.
• The Solution:
  • Examine the Properties: In ArcCatalog, right-click the raster and select “Properties.” Check the “Pixel Type” and “Pixel Depth” under the “General” tab.
  • Consider a Conversion: If needed, use the “Copy Raster” tool to convert the raster to a different pixel type or bit depth.

Background Geoprocessing Gremlins:

• The Problem: In rare cases, background geoprocessing can interfere with the “Feature to Raster” tool.
• The Solution:
  • Disable Background Geoprocessing: Turn off background geoprocessing in ArcMap by going to “Geoprocessing” > “Geoprocessing Options” and unchecking “Enable Background Geoprocessing.”