topic Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

JoeFlannery — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 14:48:30 GMT

Does ArcGIS Pro have an ArcCatalog-like function for Folders, Databases and GIS Server Connections that I am missing? I open an ArcGIS Pro map and see the “Project” window with Folders and Databases and Toolboxes, etc. for that particular map project. But, if I want to connect to an enterprise geodatabase, I must use >Insert >Connections to add a SQL database connection and that database connection does not persist to my next map project. So I need to re-connect to my enterprise geodatabases everytime I make a new map? Also, it appears that ArcGIS Pro does not recognize and use existing *.sde and *.ags connection files. Is this true?

OK, then I will open ArcCatalog stand-alone beside ArcGIS Pro and bring data into my Pro map that way. Nope – one cannot drag & drop any kind of featureclass, shapefile or ArcGIS Server services from ArcCatalog into any place in an ArcGIS Pro map. Really?

If I am wrong about this functionality, I would certainly welcome any guidance or direction.

Thank you.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

JoshuaBixby — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:36:40 GMT

You are correct, at least with dragging and dropping between Desktop and Pro. The lack of that functionality was brought up by beta testers. I can't remember the specific response right off the top, but I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for it.

Regarding the first question, ArcGIS Pro can work with AGS and SDE files. In the Project pane, you can right-click the "Folders" and add a folder connection. From the new folder connection, you can access AGS and SDE files and add them to your project.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

JoeFlannery — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 18:24:53 GMT

Joshua:

Thank you for your responses. I added a folder full of *.sde connection files to my ArcGIS Pro map project, but nothing happens when I double-click on the DB connection or right-click on the connection. Am I missing a step here?

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

JoshuaBixby — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:14:52 GMT

I am not saying I am a fan of how the following works, but you need to add the SDE file to your project by right-clicking and then "Add to Project." After this, the connection will show up under the "Databases" folder of the Project and you can access data and properties from there.

Are you connecting to Oracle databases? If so, be aware that ArcGIS Pro needs a 64-bit Oracle client, which usually trips people up trying to run ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Pro on the same machine and connecting to the same Oracle databases.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

JoeFlannery — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:29:08 GMT

Joshua:

Thank you for the clarification. I get it, now. I agree - not elegant, but it's beta for Release 1.0 and I have high hopes for Release 2.0 and beyond.

We use SQL Server enterprise databases and we do a "Direct Connect" to those databases. It works great at our desktops and with ArcGIS for Server.

I appreciate your time and expertise. I look forward to learning ArcGIS Pro and hope that it becomes more of a "production" worthy application in the future. We're all taking baby steps.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

BenVan_Kesteren1 — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 02:18:48 GMT

Hi Josh,

Any chance you can elaborate on where you are 'right clicking and then "Add to Project"'? How are you doing this step?

I am in the same boat as OP, coming to terms with the fact that there is no ArcCatalog window docked so I can drag and drop from our SDE directly.

Cheers

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

BenVan_Kesteren1 — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 05:25:26 GMT

I have since worked it out. I use the below folder in the Project window.

Just thought I would share for anyone else that may need a hand.

Cheers

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

ClarkLangridge — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 13:05:08 GMT

I've posted a suggestion to fix this on ESRI's Idea Site under "Saving Service and SDE Connection in ArcGIS Pro". If you don't want to have to put up with this nonsense of having to find work-arounds for ESRI's latest 'great idea', up-vote it.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

RebeccaStrauch__GISP — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 16:47:32 GMT

The link is ArcGIS Idea - Saving Service and SDE Connection in ArcGIS Pro

I think that will work if not logged in yet.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

ClarkLangridge — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 17:11:33 GMT

Thanks! I wasn't sure if posting the link would work or not.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

RebeccaStrauch__GISP — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 18:36:27 GMT

Just fyi, It seems a copy-paste of the URL when not logged in typically works. If you are logged in, then is seems to bring an error for others. At least that is the behavior I've seen in the past.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

KevinHibma — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 16:09:26 GMT

Has anyone tried Project Templates?

Start a new project. Add a map or scene, regularly used folder connections or databases and anything else you want direct access to.

Next time you make a new project, don't use a blank one, select the template you previously made and give your new project a name/location.

You should start with all the items you setup from before.

More information here.

Please don't consider this a dismissal of the original idea/ enhancement, I'm just offering alternatives that can move you towards your goals, today.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

ClarkLangridge — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:02:01 GMT

I appreciate the thought; the problem is that I'm testing this for (eventual) use by ~250 users, each with their own individual connections to our SDE and differing ArcGIS Server connections. Trying to keep that maintain that many templates is just not feasible.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

AdrianWelsh — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 19:38:11 GMT

[/beating a dead horse]

Is there a way to find out how much consideration some of these ideas get? Or maybe when they get implemented?

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

RebeccaStrauch__GISP — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 08:58:17 GMT

Not that this fully answers your question (or is this the topic of the thread) but at least some info re ideas is listed on the ideas landing page

I'm sure all ideas are reviewed, since this is currently the suggested way we submit things, and the higher the promoted value, the better chance. But I'm sure actual bugs are given higher value (one would hope anyway). I'm sure these ease of implementing with out messing with other feature also weighs heavily as to whether/when something is or isn't implemented.

Re: Accessing existing .sde and .ags Connection Files in ArcGIS Pro

AdrianWelsh — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 23:10:24 GMT

Rebecca, I supposed I shouldn't have hijacked this thread with a completely different topic, but I appreciate your reply! This makes sense.