topic Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES in ArcGIS Explorer Desktop Questions

ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

dimitriantoniou — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:59:59 GMT

I am running ArcGIS Explorer 1200 build on my computer. I try to add layers and layer packages and I get the error "Failed to add layer package......Invalid File" I tried several times recreating the layer file in arcmap and i get the same error.

I have also tried adding just the shapefile and then symbolizing as one would so in arcmap but it doesnt seem to have this capability. Has anyone experienced similar issues?

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

MichaelBranscomb — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:12:56 GMT

Dimitri,

Usually I would suggest this is due to the coordinate system, or rather the lack of. However if you can add the Shapefile to ArcGIS Explorer directly without any issue then this is unlikely to be the cause. Are you able to post a Layer Package on the foum that I could test?

Regards

Mike

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

NicholasGross — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:46:34 GMT

I get that same error when trying to add layers that reference version 10 geodatabases. 9.3 versions work fine. I'm also using 1200.

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

MichaelBranscomb — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:00:19 GMT

Nicholas,

Unfortunately ArcGIS Explorer 1200 was released some time before ArcGIS 10.0 and therefore cannot read ArcGIS 10.0 Geodatabases directly. There will soon be a new release (1500) which addresses this plus provide many new features.

Until the new release, you can export content from ArcGIS 10.0 as a Layer Package - this will be fine in ArcGIS Explorer 1200.

If you are trying to access ArcGIS Server 10.0 services from Explorer 1200 there is a patch to support this: http://resources.arcgis.com/content/patches-and-service-packs?fa=viewPatch&PID=116&MetaID=1624.

Regards

Mike

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

TinaKwitkoski — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:29:15 GMT

I am also having this problem with a file, I have been converting shape files for a project for the past few days, and now one of them will not work.

Failed to add Layer Package(s) ...(Invalid File)

I can add the layer package into ArcGIS 10 no problem, it is from a 9.3.1 database, has the proper coordinate system.. now I am stumped.

I have attached the layer package, can anyone help?

Thanks
Tina

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

MichaelBranscomb — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:57:07 GMT

Tina,

This Layer Package works fine in the new ArcGIS Explorer 1500 - which will be available pretty soon: http://video214.com/play/8ZBlX9L4o1aUfsikyx0mkw/s/dark.

Regards

Mike

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

JasonDowns — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:36:43 GMT

I am also getting the error: "failed to add layer package(s):" when trying to add a layer to Explorer 1500.

This occurs if the layer was created from a personal geodatabase developed in the ArcGIS 9.3 environment.

No problems if I create a layer from a file geodatabase developed in the AG 10.0 environment.

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

MichaelBranscomb — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 09:48:53 GMT

Jason,

I can appreciate that perhaps a little more information on why the file is invalid would be useful, but that is expected behaviour - Personal Geodatabases are not supported in ArcGIS Explorer. File Geodatabases are the preferred data type for local data, even at 9.X.

Regards

Mike

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

BrianCooperman — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:18:32 GMT

I have also encountered the "Invalid Layer" error when I try to add a layer to explorer.

The layer was created from a shapefile and in 9.3.1. A geographic coordinate system is defined. Explorer is the 1500 build. The shapefile itself opens fine in explorer.

Can Explorer 1500 only read layers created in 10?

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

MichaelBranscomb — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:13:12 GMT

Hi,

ArcGIS Explorer can read layers / layer packages created in 9.3.1 or 10.0. Would it be possible for you to zip-up and post your layer/data/layer package here? - i'll give it a test.

Cheers

Mike

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

WilliamLord — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:03:44 GMT

Add me to the list. I am using a LPK file from the ESRI Press GIS 20 Essential Skills. In Ch19, we are to open build 1200 as supplied on the CD and load a LPK file. AS posted, I also get the Invalid File error. This same LPK file will load just fine in ArcGIS v10 SP1. The file is on my local C drive. I also tested the layer package RoadSurface...same results....downloaded a LPk file from the Resource Center called World Countries...same result. I have Vista Home Premium 64 bit on PC and 32 bit on my laptop...same result. Is there an error log that would better identify the source of my frustration? I have used the book's build 1200 and a new downloaded copy. Same story.

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

MichaelBranscomb — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:19:57 GMT

Hi,

It sounds like you have a consistent issue opening Layer Packages on your laptop and PC - obviously this is not the normal behaviour.

- Have you installed version 1500? (http://resources.arcgis.com/content/arcgis-explorer/1500/download)

- Are you in 2D or 3D?

- Just to make sure - I'd suggest running the system requirements checker: http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri_if/1186/10895

Regards

Mike

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

WilliamLord — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:18:07 GMT

I ran the test on both the desktop and laptop with the PC barely failing only on CPU and the laptop passing all tests. I have broadband wireless which does make for a slower load but once stable the files will not load on either platform. What exactly is Explorer saying when the error Invalid File is generated? If the file loads in ArcMap then why is it Invalid in Explorer? I have attempted to load 1500 but on the PC, it loads extremely slow with my desktop failing to fade away. I will try 1500 on my laptop this weekend. Is there an error log?

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

PaulBoehnlein — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:44:28 GMT

Mike,

I noticed you mentioned 2D/3D. Why is this important?

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

MichaelBranscomb — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 07:29:00 GMT

Hi,

I asked about 2D or 3D becuase they use different control/rendering engines/caching mechanisms. Therefore it's possible that the data you're expertiencing problems with may work in one display mode but not the other.

Regards

Mike

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

LucasMurray — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:47:47 GMT

Does anyone know if there�??s a limit to the number of records explorer can show from a single feature class?

I�??ve got a feature class with over a million records in it. When I try adding it to Explorer 1500, I get an error: �??Failed to add Geodatabase layer(s).�?� When I try adding it as a layer or layer package, the file will load but no symbology shows up. It�??s only when I break the feature class into smaller pieces that the file will load with no trouble. I'd like to know how small the feature class needs to be for it to load successfully into explorer.

FYI, the feature class is being stored in a file geodatabase created with version 10.

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

JoelDuChateau — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:59:08 GMT

I am having continued problems with a layer package and layers created from ArcMap 10. They all say "invalid file" when trying to add. Layers and layer packages created from ArcMap 9.3 continue to work fine.

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

JoeMierzwinski — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:47:28 GMT

I am also having this issue. My error is specific to stating that the layer package cannot find the shapefile that was used to create the layer package. Although I have not moved, removed or renamed that shapefile.
I have 3 users in my office utilizing the same layer package on their own machines. 2 users are not having any issues, but one is. I have cleared all caching and still can not get that layer package to display.
The package once worked on her machine, but then one day just opened up the map doc in ArcGIS Explorer 1500 and it has not worked since.

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

JoelDuChateau — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:20:23 GMT

Update from ESRI, seems it is a Service Pack 1 bug:

The only workaround of this bug is uninstalling 10 SP1 and then create the layer package with ArcGIS 10.0.

Re: ERROR ADDING LAYERS/SHAPEFILES

dcopple — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:52:15 GMT

I have experienced these problems with just generic layer files created in ArcGIS 9.3. AGX just crashes after several minutes trying to load, 2D and 3D.