Simple question with hopefully a nuts and bolts data type response, but I am confused. I just wrote a script to convert feature classes to KML. Seemingly same parameters as all the conversion tools --> SomeConversionTool_conversion(feature_class_to_convert, converted_layer_new_name_or_format.ext)
But in the case of LayerToKML_conversion it's erroring out I because I NEED a map open and simply the Layer passed as first argument. WHY? All other conversion tools allow a path to the feature? And Dear ESRI, excellent job with the informative Exceptions. But I did successfully run the tool in a Notebook using arcpy.LayerToKML_conversion('layer name in current map', fp_out_kml.kml').
Is there a workaround to make scriptable versions without having to load up all data as Layers in a map. And...Why Not?


Thank - Zach