ArcToolbox scripts behave differently then the hard-coded versions.

Question

I made a four color map algorithm for Python. When I execute the script in PythonWin, Komodo, or Idle, with the path to the feature class hard-coded into the script, things run fine. I know the syntax is correct. Once I add the script to ArcToolbox it throws an error (error message posted below). The error occurs at this line.

if (geometry1.touches(geometry2) or geometry1.overlaps(geometry2)) and counter != counter1:

File "E:\SCRIPT~1\MINIMU~1\minimumpolygoncolor.py", line 46, in <module>
 if (geometry1.touches(geometry2) or geometry1.overlaps(geometry2)) and counter != counter1:

Error Info:
'unicode' object has no attribute 'touches'
ArcPy ERRORS:

I also developed a tool to remap data paths in an mxd. Again, things run fine if I post the code into the Python window. All the broken links are fixed. When I convert this tool to a Toolbox script, the paths get updated...and then removed from the mxd.

Does anyone know why a script would act differently once they are brought into ArcToolbox?

StacyRendall1 · Answer

Gerry,

try putting AddMessage() comments after every operation. There is a good chance that your input isn't coming through quite as you expect it. I.e. make the top part of your code like so:try:
    print "go"
    import arcpy, os, sys, string, traceback, operator
    inFC = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0)
    arcpy.AddMessage(str(inFC)+str(type(inFC)))
    g1 = arcpy.Geometry()
    geometrylist1 = arcpy.CopyFeatures_management(inFC, g1)
    arcpy.AddMessage(str(geometrylist1)+str(type(geometrylist1)))
    g2 = arcpy.Geometry()
    geometrylist2 = arcpy.CopyFeatures_management(inFC, g2)
    arcpy.AddMessage(str(geometrylist2)+str(type(geometrylist2)))

GerryGabrisch · Answer

Stacy, thanks for the tip. When I run the tool in Komodo I get this for the str(geometry1) and type(geometry 1) In ArctoolBox I get this: i

GerryGabrisch · Answer

Here is a portion of the code that returns the error.  Again, it works fine as a stand alone where it is taking the inFC as text just like the arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0)
try:
    print "go"
    import arcpy, os, sys, string, traceback, operator
    inFC = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0)
    g1 = arcpy.Geometry()
    geometrylist1 = arcpy.CopyFeatures_management(inFC, g1)
    g2 = arcpy.Geometry()
    geometrylist2 = arcpy.CopyFeatures_management(inFC, g2)
    
    for geometry1 in geometrylist1:
        for geometry2 in geometrylist2:
            if (geometry1.touches(geometry2) or geometry1.overlaps(geometry2)):
                print "Do more stuff here..."
    print "done"
except arcpy.ExecuteError:
    msgs = arcpy.GetMessages(2) 
    arcpy.AddError(msgs) 
    print msgs
except:
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0]
    pymsg = "PYTHON ERRORS:
Traceback info:
" + tbinfo + "
Error Info:
" + str(sys.exc_info()[1])
    msgs = "ArcPy ERRORS:
" + arcpy.GetMessages(2) + "
"
    arcpy.AddError(pymsg)
    arcpy.AddError(msgs)
    print pymsg + "
"
    print msgs