topic Re: Layers On/Off in Mapping Questions

Layers On/Off

MathieuCain — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:49:56 GMT

Hello,

I have a map which I am publishing to be viewed in ArcReader.

I have 2 layer groups which I do not want visible at the same time (i.e., both can be turned off, or one or the other can be turned one, but not both on at the same time).

Is there a way to do this?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Re: Layers On/Off

JeffBarrette — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:12:27 GMT

Is there a way you could use scale thresholds or are the two groups scale independent?

I can't think of a way to do it in the UI. You would need to build a custom event handler.

Jeff

Re: Layers On/Off

MathieuCain — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:15:29 GMT

Unfortunately they are scale independent.

Re: Layers On/Off

KerryStonestreet — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:26:27 GMT

I'm searching the forum as I have a very similar need. So I'll hijack/bump your post.

I have 20+ Group Layers, each with one feature class, a DWG and a raster. I could employ Page Definition Queries if it wasn't for the darn raster.
I want one Group Layer visible per DDP. I'm sure a little Python would go a long way but alas, I'm Python ignorant. 😞
Am I missing a simple way to do this?

Thanks!

Re: Layers On/Off

JonathanQuinn — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:05:49 GMT

This may be off base, but how about clipping to the current extent of the data driven page? You can include all layers within the clip so it'll clip vector and raster data.

Re: Layers On/Off

KerryStonestreet — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:46:56 GMT

This may be off base, but how about clipping to the current extent of the data driven page? You can include all layers within the clip so it'll clip vector and raster data.

Thanks for the suggestion. I neglected to state my index feature class consists of 30+ identical polygons (i.e., exact same size and extent).

Thanks again for the quick reply, I just saw this. I thought I had notifications enabled. Will check on it.

Re: Layers On/Off

KerryStonestreet — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:20:37 GMT

Perhaps I should move this to a new post? Oh well, it's essentially the same question originally posted and unanswered.

I'm struggling through a crash course in Arcpy this week. I've been putting this off for years. 🙂
I want to turn on (make visible) a Group Layer for each index page of my DDP.

In my TOC:
"GroupLayer1" to "GroupLayer30". 30 Group Layers named same as my DDP index field.
A "New Basemap Layer"

I've believe the answer may along one or more of these concepts:
lyr.longName equal to lyr.name then lyr.visible = true, else false?
http://forums.arcgis.com/threads/957-Beta-10-List-Comprehensions?highlight=map+group+layer+u%27

yet another snippet I'm experimenting with, but currently only returns the "else" argument...

import arcpy, os 
... mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(r'C:\GIS\PROJECT\FrustratingArcPy.mxd')
... idxLyr = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, 'MapBook_OCT09')[0]  # The DDP index FC
... Group = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers (mxd)
... df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, 'MapBook')[0] # The Data Frame name
... pageNameField = "Page_Title" #DDP Index Field
... 
... rows = arcpy.UpdateCursor(idxLyr)
... 
... for row in rows:
...     pageName = row.getValue(pageNameField).encode('ascii')
...     pageID = mxd.dataDrivenPages.getPageIDFromName(pageName)
...     mxd.dataDrivenPages.currentPageID = pageID
...     if str(pageName) == str(Group):
...         print str(Group) + str(" ") + str(pageName)
...     else:
...          print str(Group)
... del mxd, row, rows

Another incomplete sample which returns all Group Layers, including the "New Basemap Layer":

 import arcpy, os
... from arcpy.mapping import *  #Brings in entire functionality of the mapping module
... mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(r'C:\GIS\PROJECT\FrustratingArcPy.mxd')
... layerlist = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd)    
... for lyr in layerlist:    
...     if lyr.isGroupLayer:      
...         lyr.visible = True
...         print str(lyr)
...     else:
...         lyr.visible = False
... arcpy.RefreshTOC()        
... del mxd

Please help?!
Thanks!
Kerry

Re: Layers On/Off

JeffBarrette — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:20:40 GMT

I think the following script will do what you need. Make sure to save the MXD with ALL group layers checked off (and all layers within the group layer checked on). See attached screen shot. A field was added to the index layer called "GroupLayerName". It has the values "GroupLayer1, GroupLayer2, etc). After exporting to PDF, the script then turns the group layer back off again before going to the next DDP page.


import arcpy
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(r"c:\Temp\test.mxd")
ddp = mxd.dataDrivenPages

for pageNum in range(1, mxd.dataDrivenPages.pageCount + 1):
  mxd.dataDrivenPages.currentPageID = pageNum
  fieldValue = mxd.dataDrivenPages.pageRow.GroupLayerName
  for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
    if lyr.name == fieldValue:
      lyr.visible = True
      arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, r"C:\\Temp\\" + fieldValue + ".pdf")
      lyr.visible = False
del mxd

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18285[/ATTACH]

Jeff

Re: Layers On/Off

KerryStonestreet — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:06:25 GMT

I think the following script will do what you need. Make sure to save the MXD with ALL group layers checked off (and all layers within the group layer checked on). See attached screen shot. A field was added to the index layer called "GroupLayerName". It has the values "GroupLayer1, GroupLayer2, etc). After exporting to PDF, the script then turns the group layer back off again before going to the next DDP page.
... <edited>
Jeff

Ahhhhh Jeff, that's smoooth. Works like a charm!
I'm inspired to continue learning Arcpy.
I voted your reply up one, wish I could vote it up 10x's.
Thank you!
Kerry

Re: Layers On/Off

TraceyKing — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:56:31 GMT

I am trying to make changes to a map document using a python stand alone script. My script runs and I can get information from the map document but it does not make any changes to the document. One example is just to turn the layers on and off. A snippet of part of the script is included. Any help would be appreciated as even my instructor has not been able to make it work.

# Import system modules

import arcpy, sys, os, traceback, datetime
from arcpy.mapping import *

# set the current workspace (in the case a folder)
arcpy.env.workspace = "E:\MapProject\MapProject.gdb"

# Define Variables
datapath = "E:\MapProject\MapProject.gdb\\"
mappath = "E:\\MapProject\\Maps"

try:

    # Get the map document. In this case a custom template set up for map production
    mxd = MapDocument(mappath + os.sep + "ReportMapsTemplate9.mxd")

    print "Getting Map Document properties..."

    # Report properties of the Map Document

    print "Map Document Title: " + str(mxd.title)
    print "Map Document Author: " + str(mxd.author)
    mxd.author = "Tracey A. King"
    print "Map Document Author is now: " + str(mxd.author)
    print mxd.filePath
    print mxd.pageSize

    # Get a list of data frames
    # [0] indicates the first data frame
    # The data frame names is "Map Frame"
    df = ListDataFrames(mxd, "Map Frame")[0]

    print "Getting Data Frame properties..."

    # Report properties of the data frame named "Map Frame"

    print 'Data Frame Name: ' + str(df.name)
    print "Map Frame Map Units: " + str(df.mapUnits)
    print "Map Frame Scale: " + str(df.scale)

    # Get a list of layers in the table of contents of the map document
    TOCLayers = ListLayers(mxd)

    print "Processing layout elements..."

    # Loop through the layers

    for TOCLayer in ListLayers(mxd):
        print 'Layer Name: ' + str(TOCLayer.name)
        print 'Longname: ' + str(TOCLayer.longName)

    # 3. Set initial layer visibility
        if TOCLayer.name=="SSLT_Boundary":
            TOCLayer.visible=True
        if TOCLayer.name=="SSLT_Easements":
            TOCLayer.visible=True
        if TOCLayer.name=="NatGeo_World_Map":
            TOCLayer.visible=True

Re: Layers On/Off

JeffBarrette — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:53:49 GMT

Tracey,

A couple of comments:
- I don't see an mxd.save() in your code so how is it that you expect to see changes?
- If you are running this from the Python window, use "CURRENT" instead of the path to the file on disk.
- it would be much easier to read your code if you posted it withing

 tags.  Its the # button.  You want to preserve indents.

Jeff

Re: Layers On/Off

TraceyKing — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:20:43 GMT

Tracey,

A couple of comments:
- I don't see an mxd.save() in your code so how is it that you expect to see changes?
- If you are running this from the Python window, use "CURRENT" instead of the path to the file on disk.
- it would be much easier to read your code if you posted it withing
 tags.  Its the # button.  You want to preserve indents.

Jeff

Hi Jeff
Thanks alot for your help. That was my first post and I didn't know how to include code, so thanks for the heads up. My code works now, here is a copy. I had the save a copy in my code, what I showed here was just a snippet, the real one is longer. I don't know what was wrong but I will continue with this code and add the rest in gradually to determine where my error was. Thanks again!

# Import system modules

import arcpy, sys, os, traceback, datetime
from arcpy.mapping import *

# set the current workspace (in the case a folder)
arcpy.env.workspace = "E:\MapProject\MapProject.gdb"

# Define Variables
datapath = "J:\MapProject\MapProject.gdb\\"
mappath = "J:\\MapProject\\Maps"
newmxd= mappath + os.sep + "outReportMap.mxd"

try:

    # Get the map document. In this case a custom template set up for map production
    mxd = MapDocument(mappath + os.sep + "ReportMapsTemplate9.mxd")

    print "Getting Map Document properties..."

    # Report properties of the Map Document

    print "Map Document Title: " + str(mxd.title)
    print "Map Document Author: " + str(mxd.author)
    mxd.author = "Tracey A. King"
    print "Map Document Author is now: " + str(mxd.author)
    print mxd.filePath
    print mxd.pageSize

    # Get a list of data frames
    # [0] indicates the first data frame
    # The data frame names is "Map Frame"
    df = ListDataFrames(mxd, "Map Frame")[0]

    print "Getting Data Frame properties..."

    # Report properties of the data frame named "Map Frame"

    print 'Data Frame Name: ' + str(df.name)
    print "Map Frame Map Units: " + str(df.mapUnits)
    print "Map Frame Scale: " + str(df.scale)

    # Get a list of layers in the table of contents of the map document
    TOCLayers = ListLayers(mxd)

    print "Processing layout elements..."

    # Loop through the layers

    for TOCLayer in ListLayers(mxd):
        print 'Layer Name: ' + str(TOCLayer.name)
        print 'Longname: ' + str(TOCLayer.longName)

    # 3. Set initial layer visibility
        if TOCLayer.name=="SSLT_Boundary":
            TOCLayer.visible=True
        if TOCLayer.name=="SSLT_Easements":
            TOCLayer.visible=True
        if TOCLayer.name=="NatGeo_World_Map":
            TOCLayer.visible=True

    # 4. Save to a new map document

    # Check to see if map document already exists, if it does delete it
    if arcpy.Exists(newmxd):
        arcpy.Delete_management(newmxd)

    # Save the changes in a new map document
    mxd.saveACopy(newmxd)
    print "A copy of the map document has been saved"

except:
    # http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//002z0000000q000000

    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0]
    pymsg = "PYTHON ERRORS:\nTraceback Info:\n" + tbinfo + "\nError Info:\n     " +        str(sys.exc_type) + ": " + str(sys.exc_value) + "\n"
    msgs = "ARCPY ERRORS:\n" + arcpy.GetMessages(2) + "\n"

    arcpy.AddError(msgs)
    arcpy.AddError(pymsg)

    print msgs
    print pymsg

    arcpy.AddMessage(arcpy.GetMessages(1))
    print arcpy.GetMessages(1)

Re: Layers On/Off

SusanWalden — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:20:46 GMT

I think the following script will do what you need. Make sure to save the MXD with ALL group layers checked off (and all layers within the group layer checked on). See attached screen shot. A field was added to the index layer called "GroupLayerName". It has the values "GroupLayer1, GroupLayer2, etc). After exporting to PDF, the script then turns the group layer back off again before going to the next DDP page.
import arcpy
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(r"c:\Temp\test.mxd")
ddp = mxd.dataDrivenPages

for pageNum in range(1, mxd.dataDrivenPages.pageCount + 1):
  mxd.dataDrivenPages.currentPageID = pageNum
  fieldValue = mxd.dataDrivenPages.pageRow.GroupLayerName
  for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
    if lyr.name == fieldValue:
      lyr.visible = True
      arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, r"C:\\Temp\\" + fieldValue + ".pdf")
      lyr.visible = False
del mxd

Hi Jeff,
I'm using the same code you provided above, but my code only exports the first page as a pdf. I do have a different field name in the index layer, it's called GroupLayer without the Name as in yours.

I'm wondering if it has anything to do with my index layer which is 14 polygons on top of each other. I did that so I could export a different aerial image with each page. My group layers are called GroupLayerr1, GroupLayer2, etc and the page names in the index layer are the same.

Is it confused because every polygon inthe index layer is exactly the same?
Can I export a map, not using DDP, cycling through group layers for each export?
Thanks,
Susan

Re: Layers On/Off

JeffBarrette — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:20:48 GMT

Susan,

I don't know why this is not working for you but I have never tried duplicate index features like you are. This is definately a creative way to use DDP but I don't think this is the correct approach. You are trying to create a thematic map - extent remains the same but different layers or themes are displayed for each page.

The approach I would take is to not use DDP and use arcpy.mapping only. Lets say you have 14 different pages because there are 14 different images. To makes things really easy, I would order the images in the TOC the way I want them to be exported. Image 1 / Page 1 at the top, image 14 / page 14 at the bottom of the TOC.

Then I would do something like:

import arcpy
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(someMXDpath)
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
  lyr.visible = False
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
  lyr.visble = True
  arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, somePDFpath)
  lyr.visble = False

The code obviously needs more logic if there are multiple data frames, sets of layers that are always visible, etc

Jeff

Re: Layers On/Off

SusanWalden — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:20:51 GMT

Susan,

I don't know why this is not working for you but I have never tried duplicate index features like you are. This is definately a creative way to use DDP but I don't think this is the correct approach. You are trying to create a thematic map - extent remains the same but different layers or themes are displayed for each page.

The approach I would take is to not use DDP and use arcpy.mapping only. Lets say you have 14 different pages because there are 14 different images. To makes things really easy, I would order the images in the TOC the way I want them to be exported. Image 1 / Page 1 at the top, image 14 / page 14 at the bottom of the TOC.

Then I would do something like:
import arcpy
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(someMXDpath)
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
  lyr.visible = False
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd):
  lyr.visble = True
  arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, somePDFpath)
  lyr.visble = False
The code obviously needs more logic if there are multiple data frames, sets of layers that are always visible, etc

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I thought as much. I'll try your approach and see how it works. Python is not simple for me...struggling with it for a while now, maybe I'll have a breakthrough!