Problem converting shapes to ascii in QGIS for Maxent

[Clément Harmange]

Hello,

I would like to know if someone encountered the same problems preparing data to Maxent.


I use the software QGIS 2.14 (Essen).
I have 14 shape layers for different crops.
I intersect them with a shape grid 200x200 m to obtain the area of each crop per cell. So I have 14 grids too (one for each crop)

When I want to convert my shape grids to ascii, the .asc file that is created is unreadable (there are only symbols everywhere !).
So I have to convert in .geotiff, open this new raster in SAGA GIS to convert it in .asc which can be read into maxent... This is really very tedious !

Maybe someone can help me to find the problem, or maybe there is another method using R which could be faster?
Because I have to do this year by year (for 20 years), and crop by crop...

Thank you
Clément

[Jacek Stefaniak]

Qgis have troubles with converting files to ESRI shape raster formats - same error is with .bil files.

I have few solutions:

1) If you have ArcGis, try cut and save files in this software.

2) Use .bil format - it can be edited and corrected manually after creation and Maxent can read them, too.

3) Try to find another .tif -> .asc converter (maybe new version of Qgis or another GIS software) or try to use SAGA toolbox inside Qgis.

I personally cut my files in QGIS, next save them in tif and next I use "Translation" option in QGIS - it can be done as batch process and it will convert to asc/bil format your whole folder - no necessity to do it one file by one.

If you have further problems, please write to me, I will try to help you :)

J.

[Clément Harmange]

Thank you very much Jacek, I'll try your solutions, I think it could be a faster procedure.
I would come back to you if I have some questions.

Clément