I am currently trying to get a group on connected polygons that are within the same feature to a raster so I can reclassify it for cost analysis. I noticed that ArcGIS for Desktop has a "feature to raster" and "polygon to raster" tool that I can use. Both of the tools recognize my layer, and they seem like they will accomplish the same task, however, I was wondering if there is one that I should use in my specific scenario over the other, or does it really not matter?
[GIS] the difference between the “feature to raster” and “polygon to raster” tools when converting a polygon to a raster
arcgis-desktoprasterization
Best Answer
Feature to raster will convert lines, points or polygon features to rasters, while polygon to raster will only convert polygons.
http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.2/index.html#//00120000002v000000 http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.2/index.html#//001200000030000000
They both can handle polygons, which is why they are completing what you are trying to do.