topic Re: Make the output of a arcgis processing tool a feature layer directly in Python Questions

Make the output of a arcgis processing tool a feature layer directly

HannesZiegler2 — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 17:32:08 GMT

I'd like to make the output of a geoprocessing tool a feature layer because I don't want to specify a location for the output to be saved to, I just need to operate on it for a little and then discard it.

I started to type MakeFeatureLayer in the outfc parameter but then realized this doesn't work. Is there a way to make a feature layer directly from a geoprocessing tool?

Thanks for any help!

Re: Make the output of a arcgis processing tool a feature layer directly

MitchHolley1 — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 17:41:25 GMT

Can you post the Python code you're trying to run. Don't forget to format it properly. See here: https://community.esri.com/docs/DOC-8691-posting-code-with-syntax-highlighting-on-geonet

Re: Make the output of a arcgis processing tool a feature layer directly

HannesZiegler2 — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 17:45:48 GMT

Yes sure, basically I want the output of the Intersect tool to be a temporary Feature Layer such as those created by arcpy.management.MakeFeatureLayer.

arcpy.analysis.Intersect([inline, infc_intersect], outfc_intersect, "", "", "POINT")‍‍

Otherwise, I need the user to specify a location for this temporary point file (in outfc_intersect), and I don't want this as it adds unnecessary complexity.

Thanks!

Re: Make the output of a arcgis processing tool a feature layer directly

KristenE — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 20:44:35 GMT

You could use the in memory workspace. Then the feature class only exists in memory and will be discarded after the script is finished running.

import arcpy

arcpy.env.workspace = "in_memory"‍‍‍

Re: Make the output of a arcgis processing tool a feature layer directly

HannesZiegler2 — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 18:24:45 GMT

This seems to do the trick, I'm testing it out now. Thank you!