arcpy batch to export PDF - problem of refresh mapframe in layout

Question

Dear Everybody, I'm trying to make a batch to export PDF from ArcGIS Pro.

Before I export PDF I need to set definition query for each layers based on values in a table.

Then, there is the export but what I'm getting is always a blank PDF, it looks like it's not refreshing after I set the new extent.

After the script, of course, the layout show me the last extent I set....and it's correct!

Thanks in advance,

project  = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("CURRENT")
layout   = project.listLayouts("Layout")[0]
mapframe = layout.listElements("MAPFRAME_ELEMENT", "Map Frame")[0]
mapLayers = project.listMaps("Layers")[0]
fields=['field1', 'field2', 'field3', 'field4', 'field5']
search_cursor=arcpy.da.SearchCursor("theTable",fields)

for row in search_cursor:
    print(u'{0}, {1}, {2}'.format(row[0], row[1], row[2]))
    queryStr="MAPID="+str(row[0])
    for lyr in mapLayers.listLayers():
        if lyr.supports("DEFINITIONQUERY"):
            lyr.definitionQuery = queryStr
    layer=mapLayers.listLayers("l")[0]
    print(u'{0}, {1}, {2}, {3}'.format(row[0], row[1], row[2], queryStr))       
    layer_extent = mapframe.getLayerExtent(layer, False, False)
    mapframe.camera.setExtent(layer_extent)
    layout.exportToPDF(os.path.join(r"D:	est", f"{row[1]}.pdf"))

JamesTurner2 · Answer

Interesting follow up. I don't recall if I tried removing and re-adding the layer. I settled on using a python notebook instead, which while slowed, made things easier overall. I didn't have much experience with notebooks before, but they are a great tool for troubleshooting and I had a lot of that to do!

My organization is dragging on updating to Pro 3.x so maybe I will revisit moving to a script instead of a notebook when that happens. I think there are some other new functions I'll be able to incorporate when we upgrade as well.

AlderMaps · Answer

I've been having this same issue with multiple projects, but have found a workaround based on this thread!

There was mention of adding the layer, but then also a comment that it would not apply if the layer was already in the map. Well I thought, that is kind of like the refresh that I want...

So even though all the layers area already in the map I'm trying to export, I (programmatically) removed them all and then re-added from a .lyrx file right before I exported the map. Currently working for me and this solves a BIG headache I've battled for a few months now!

JamesTurner2 · Answer

I'm having this same issue. How did you resolve this?

I found that my code works as expected if executed as a python notebook in pro, but if I try to run in the python window, I get the mysterious empty layout.

The layer I would like to display on the layout is already in the map, so I don't think ElizabethJaneRoot's comment applied.

@George_Thompson