topic Re: Multiple data driven frames? in Mapping Questions

Multiple data driven frames?

TrishRice — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:08:50 GMT

I had an idea and want to see if it's possible/if anyone's done it. Can you combine data driven pages with having multiple data frames on your layout?

Example:
-Two frames on a layout, one on left and one on right
-10 data driven pages
-It would display DDP's 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 in the left frame and DDP's 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 in the right frame, for a total of 5 sheets of paper.

I just experimented in ArcMap 10 with two data frames with DDP's turned on and it only updates one of them, the other remains static.

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JeffBarrette — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:37:55 GMT

Data Driven Pages (DDP) uses one index layer to drive extents. If your two data frames on each page have different extents then I don't think you can do this with only DDP.

If both of your data frames have the same extent (but display different layers) you could do this. See the following help topic:
http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/Customizing_your_map_extent/00s900000011000000/

Your scenario can be accomplished with the arcpy.mapping scripting environment. You would set the two data frame extents independantly using whatever method you need.

Jeff

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

FedericoValfrè_di_Bonzo — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:46:17 GMT

Same problem here.
No one knows a solution?

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JeffBarrette — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:47:23 GMT

The solution would need to include arcpy.mapping. Here is a great example in help where two different MXDs are used to handle facing pages (left and right pages use different layout settings). All pages are combined into one fine PDF using arcpy.mapping.

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//00s90000002p000000.htm

Jeff

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

FedericoValfrè_di_Bonzo — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:11:46 GMT

The solution would need to include arcpy.mapping. Here is a great example in help where two different MXDs are used to handle facing pages (left and right pages use different layout settings). All pages are combined into one fine PDF using arcpy.mapping.

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//00s90000002p000000.htm

Jeff

Thank you, this is a great idea!
But my data frames don't show the same extent and are on the same mxd. I need 1 layout withe all teh data frames...I think that I have to learn arcpy.mapping...

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

TrishRice — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:53:09 GMT

Thanks, jbarrette. This isn't exactly what I meant with my question but your answer for data frames with the same extent helped me with a different project.

What I originally had in mind was like Federicovdb's problem. Having multiple data frames with different extents on the same layout, and still using data driven pages. For example, facing pages but with the facing pages on the same sheet of paper. It's just a curious inquiry at the moment (no work tasks depending on this) but I'm sure there would be useful applications.

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JeffBarrette — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 09:10:55 GMT

Let me explain this a little more clearly. In your scenario, you have 2 data frames on a single layout but with different extents. No matter how you address this, you need the equivalent of two index layers; one to drive the first extent, the second to drive the other extent.

Your options:
1) Use DDP to drive the first extent and arcpy.mapping to drive the second extent
or
2) Use arcpy.mapping to drive both extents.

Below is some sample code that sets the 1st data frame's extent based on each feature extent in the first layer:

mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)[0]
lyr = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd)[0]
rows = arcpy.SearchCursor(lyr.dataSource):
for row in rows:
    newDFExt = row.getValue("Shape").extent
    df.extent = newDFExtent
    arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, somepath)
del mxd

The logic could be easily extended to multiple data frames.

I hope this helps,
Jeff

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

TrishRice — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 09:10:57 GMT

Thanks. I'll fiddle around with that and see what happens.

Let me explain this a little more clearly. In your scenario, you have 2 data frames on a single layout but with different extents. No matter how you address this, you need the equivalent of two index layers; one to drive the first extent, the second to drive the other extent.

Your options:
1) Use DDP to drive the first extent and arcpy.mapping to drive the second extent
or
2) Use arcpy.mapping to drive both extents.

Below is some sample code that sets the 1st data frame's extent based on each feature extent in the first layer:
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)[0]
lyr = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd)[0]
rows = arcpy.SearchCursor(lyr.dataSource):
for row in rows:
    newDFExt = row.getValue("Shape").extent
    df.extent = newDFExtent
    arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, somepath)
del mxd
The logic could be easily extended to multiple data frames.

I hope this helps,
Jeff

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JohannesRein — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:33:01 GMT

Hello

I want to continue with this topic, as we are searching for a solution within ArcGIS 10 for the same problem.
I tried the above posted code but unfortunaly i did not make it.

Therefore i prepared a few data and a Mxd with three dataframes and a layout. The data in the different dataframes are not in the same extend!
Every dataframe has a layer with mapframes including an attribut, called "PNR", which is the same in every layer.

If someone can configure a MapSeries in the Mxd to work with the three dataframes, that would be great.
Or post the arcpy code for the problem to work with this data and mxd.

Thank you in advance.

Greetings,
Johannes

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JeffBarrette — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:55:12 GMT

Not sure what an rar file is. Could you provide a zip?

Jeff

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JohannesRein — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:51:51 GMT

Attached the ZIP file.

Sorry i didn't knew that rar is not that common.

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JeffBarrette — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:52:59 GMT

I looked at your data. If I understand this correctly, you are trying to do something that is a lot more than just setting the extents of 3 data frames.

Your upper data frame appears to contain the equivalent of 3 strip map pages, each at a different angle to one another. The data frame below that shows the pipeline running through the 3 pages but it is flattened to run horizontal to the bottom of the page (i.e., profile map).

The only way I can think of doing this with Python is to make the middle data frame (and bottom) 3 separate data frames, one for each stripmap page. The trick will be to get the rotation of each stripmap page and then rotate the 3 separate data frames so they are all horizontal to each other. You will also need to calibrate your extents based on the rotation so that you can place each dataframe next to one another to create the appearance of 3 horizontal dataframes that appear a one.

I find this interesting but this goes far beyond answering a question about setting data frame extents.

The dataframe object allows you to set its extent and also allows you to rotate. I believe this is what you would need to do.
Jeff

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

KirkGustafson — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:31:36 GMT

Back to the question posed by the original poster, of driving two dataframes using data driven pages. A simple example of this is the following:

I have a project with approx. 20 sites scattered around the US. The data driven pages works great for setting the main data frame extents, scale, and rotation. What I need to do is have the second dataframe, called "Keymap" update based on the state that each given location is in. Ie. if the project location is Chicago IL, the keymap would show just the outline of Illinois (state outline, and counties of Illinois). Any ideas or suggestions?

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

ginnygriffin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:57:15 GMT

Let me make this even more complicated. I have a large map book, with over 100 areas to be zoomed in to. The zoom areas vary for each map book page, i.e., page 1 has #1-4 zoom areas; page 2 has #5-10 zoom areas. Any idea how I can make sure the correct zoom areas appear on the map pages?

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JeffBarrette — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:21:47 GMT

I'm currently working with a customer on this exact issue. They have 320 map sheets. Each sheet can have anywhere from 0 to 6 inset maps. In addition to the insets, they also have 3 tabular reports. Depending on the size and shape of the primary map, all the other items (insets and reports) get placed at different locations. The solution we are building is to store all the page layout info (x,y, width, height, extent, etc) of each element in a table. As we iterate through each map sheet, the appropriate info is read and the appropriate items are positioned.

This application will be posted to the Resource Center when complete. We just started so it will take some time.

Jeff

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JohannesRein — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:48:27 GMT

I looked at your data. If I understand this correctly, you are trying to do something that is a lot more than just setting the extents of 3 data frames.

Your upper data frame appears to contain the equivalent of 3 strip map pages, each at a different angle to one another. The data frame below that shows the pipeline running through the 3 pages but it is flattened to run horizontal to the bottom of the page (i.e., profile map).

The only way I can think of doing this with Python is to make the middle data frame (and bottom) 3 separate data frames, one for each stripmap page. The trick will be to get the rotation of each stripmap page and then rotate the 3 separate data frames so they are all horizontal to each other. You will also need to calibrate your extents based on the rotation so that you can place each dataframe next to one another to create the appearance of 3 horizontal dataframes that appear a one.

I find this interesting but this goes far beyond answering a question about setting data frame extents.

The dataframe object allows you to set its extent and also allows you to rotate. I believe this is what you would need to do.
Jeff

What about the arcpy.mapping classes "currentPageID"?
If i setup a ddp with the mapsheets in the first DataFrame and get the number of the current mapsheet from "currentPageID", write that into a variable and use it for a selection in the other dataframes?
Example: The series is at the number 2 of the mapsheets, therfore i select and pan to mapsheet number 2 in all other dataframes.

Is there no way to solve that problem whitout a lot of programming?

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

RichardFairhurst — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:30:33 GMT

Is there no way to solve that problem whitout a lot of programming?

Isn't what you mean really: "Is there no way to solve that problem without ME doing a lot of programming?" You wouldn't mind if someone else did a lot of programming (ESRI, another user) if it was done right now and free. The problem does involve programming (which is never just a little when every detail of the behavior is taken into acount) by someone, since this is not functionality that has been built into the current program. "A lot of programming" went into creating Data Driven pages for one Data Frame, and from experience with ArcObjects, it becomes exponentially more complicated as you try to coordinate multiple Data Frames.

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

JohannesRein — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:02:36 GMT

This tool or functionality does not have to be free!

If somebody knows a product/extension for ArcGIS 10 covering this question, please let me know.

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

DonnaErskine — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:18:56 GMT

I have had some success with creating multiple data driven pages without using Python. I had a similar issue with needing one MXD containing multiple data frames. The main focus of the project was linear for several miles (occasionally changing direction), it had to be at a constant scale, and the data frame had to be viewed in landscape position. In my case, I had setup the Layout first and then setup the dataframe at the display scale I needed in my Layout. I had to leave room for an Index to my grids showing the overall project, a legend, title, etc. I created stripmap grids at my particular scale & used my data frame to determine the size of the grids. I added an attribute to calculate the rotation/angle (field type had to be 'double') to be used for each of the grids. By using the 'Data Frame Tools' toolbar I tested the rotation/angle needed to make the project look horizonal in my data frame too. I copied the data frame and pasted the same size data frame just below the first. Once I had all of the rotations of each of the girds come up correctly as I cycled through the page numbers, I made a copy of that feature class to use as for my 'Index' map window. I then created two addtional feature classes from my Index feature class, one for "Odd" numbered grids and one for "Even" numbered grids. I deleted the ones I didn't need. So now I have 3 feature classes (one with ALL the grids called "Index", one with ONLY "Odd" grids, and one ONLY with "Even" grids). I renamed my 'Layers' top data frame to 'Odd grids' and the bottom data frame called 'Even grids'. I added the respective feature classes to the odd & even data frames. I had to setup the Data Driven Pages twice, one for each data frame, and making sure I had the correct data frame 'Activated'. Also used the 'Data Frame Properties' Tab to setup the extent. I used the optional fields for my rotation/angle. Unfortunately I wasn't able to use the 'Multiexport' function. I had to click on my upper data frame ("Odd grids") go to appropriate page number; then click on the lower window ("Even grids") go to appropriate page number; then I could export my Sheet. Sheet 1 had grids 1 & 2, Sheet 2 had grids 3 & 4, etc.

Re: Multiple data driven frames?

TobyClewett — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:16:06 GMT

Data Driven Pages (DDP) uses one index layer to drive extents. If your two data frames on each page have different extents then I don't think you can do this with only DDP.

If both of your data frames have the same extent (but display different layers) you could do this. See the following help topic:
http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/Customizing_your_map_extent/00s900000011000000/
...
Jeff

1) To to re-iterate Jeff's solution - two (or more) maps with the same extent is easy using the Data Frame Properties standard "Derive extent from another data frame's extent" feature.

2) If your two data frames on each page have different extents, perhaps you could use the Data Frame Properties "Zoom to features that intersect the other data frame's extent" feature?