Rasterize Features (By Constant)

Overview

Rasterizes point, line, or polygon vector features to a raster with a fixed value. The tool creates the output grid from the coordinate system, resolution, and extent defined in Raster region, then assigns Rasterize value to cells covered by the input features.

Unlike field-based rasterization, this tool does not read vector attributes as cell values. It applies the same fixed value to all rasterized features. It is commonly used to create mask rasters, binary rasters, study-area rasters, or weight and flag layers for later raster analysis.

The tool handles coordinate system differences according to the target raster region. Vector features are transformed to the coordinate system of the output region before rasterization. Output precision is mainly affected by the raster region extent, resolution, and cell alignment.

Use Cases

• Convert study areas, protected areas, administrative regions, or other boundaries to mask rasters with a value of 1.
• Convert roads, rivers, sampling points, or other vector features to raster markers for overlay, distance, constraint, or model computation workflows.
• Convert vector boundaries to raster inputs in workflows that require consistent cell size, extent, and coordinate system.

Parameters

Parameter	Description	Notes
Input vector file	Vector features to rasterize. Point, line, and polygon geometries are supported.	Required
Rasterize value	Fixed value written to cells covered by the features. All input features use the same value.	Required; default: 1.0
Raster region	Defines the coordinate system, resolution, and extent of the output raster.	Optional. Set it from an existing reference raster or analysis area to avoid incorrect output extent or cell size.
Output raster file	Output file path and file name for the rasterized result.	Required

Steps

1. Start the tool: Open Geoprocessing Toolbox > Data Management Tools > Data Conversion > Vector To Raster, then start Rasterize Features (By Constant).
2. Prepare the input: Select Input vector file and confirm that the geometry is valid and readable.
3. Set rasterization parameters: Enter Rasterize value. For example, use 1 when creating a mask.
4. Set the raster region: Configure the coordinate system, resolution, and extent of the output raster, or reference an existing raster region.
5. Set the output: Specify Output raster file, and confirm that the output path, format, and naming rule meet downstream requirements.
6. Run and inspect the result: Click Run. After the task completes, check the output extent, resolution, coordinate system, and cell values in covered areas.

Notes

• Rasterize value is a single constant and does not vary by vector attribute. To write different cell values from a field, use the field-based rasterization tool.
• Spatial precision depends on Raster region. If the resolution is too coarse, small linear or point features may be unclear or lost.
• When combining the result with other rasters, use the same coordinate system, resolution, extent, and cell alignment.
• If the input vector and output region use different coordinate systems, the tool performs coordinate transformation. Still, verify coordinate system definitions before running the tool.