Different output from an ArcGIS Model depending on whether the model is run within model builder itself or through the toolbox dialog?

Question

I wan't to create a model where at the end any empty outputs are automatically deleted. To do this I've tried a few things, mainly with python either through an embedded script tool or though python code in a calculate value tool. Everything seems to work fine when I run the model within model builder (Model > Run Entire Model), but as soon as I close the model and try running it through the dialog box (Toolbox > Double click on the model) way more feature classes are deleted then should be. I've been using a get count function where the input feature class is deleted if the number of features is 0. Can anyone think of why the results might be so different?

curtvprice · Answer

Do you have the required preconditions set so your Calculate Value run (or embedded script) is forced to run last?

Anonymous User · Answer

Hi Curtis,

The output location is a parameter but not the individual feature classes. My problem is not that they aren't deleted, but that for some reason when I run from the toolbox dialog the tool deletes too many feature classes regardless of if they are empty or not - when I run it within the model builder window it performs correctly. Here's a look at the code of one of the methods I've tried. I have this run at the end of the model using the output folder parameter as the input workspace with creation of the feature classes as preconditions.

# Delete Empty Feature Classes in User Specified Workspace - Python Script
# Written By: Neal Banerjee, January 2013

# Import Python Modules
import arcgisscripting

#Create the geoprocessor object
gp = arcgisscripting.create(9.3)

# Set Workspace to list feature classes
#gp.workspace = "C:/temp/kme1.mdb/fdkme"

#Get Input Workspace as Argument
gp.workspace = gp.GetParameterAsText(0)

# Get List of Feature Classes in Workspace
lstFCs = gp.ListFeatureClasses()

print "
"
gp.AddMessage("
")
print "--------------------------------------------------"
#gp.AddMessage("--------------------------------------------------")
for fc in lstFCs:
 print "Processing " + fc
 gp.AddMessage("Processing " + fc)
 recCnt = int(gp.GetCount_management(fc).GetOutput(0))
 if recCnt == 0:
 print "Empty - Deleting " + fc
 gp.AddMessage("Empty - Deleting " + fc)
 gp.Delete_management(fc)
 else:
 print str(recCnt) + " Records - Keeping " + fc
 gp.AddMessage(str(recCnt) + " Records - Keeping " + fc)
print "--------------------------------------------------"
gp.AddMessage("--------------------------------------------------")
print "
"
gp.AddMessage("
")

curtvprice · Answer

Are the output feature classes you are trying to delete output parameters? If so this makes sense to me that this would not be doable when running with a tool as outputs run as tools have layer objects generated (ie added to map) so file locking will not let you do that!