topic Error trying to save layer from MXD to lyrx. in Python Questions

Error trying to save layer from MXD to lyrx.

SteveScott — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 16:17:25 GMT

I am trying to load a layer from an mxd and back up the layer using ArcGIS Pro and Python.

aprx.importDocument(current_document_name)
mlist = aprx.listMaps()
infra_layers = mlist[0].listLayers()
new_file_name = backup_geodatabase_path + 'ActiveInfraProjects.lyrx'
arcpy.SaveToLayerFile_management(infra_layers[0].name, new_file_name, 'ABSOLUTE')

#I get the following error:

ExecuteError: Failed to execute. Parameters are not valid.
ERROR 000732: Input Layer: Dataset active_infrastructure_projects does not exist or is not supported
Failed to execute (SaveToLayerFile).

#It says it doesn't exist but I was able to get the name from the file (infra_layers[0]) so it must exist. 
#Why is it not supported?

Re: Error trying to save layer from MXD to lyrx.

DuncanHornby — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 09:24:00 GMT

I've just tried your code and it worked for me. So this leads me to wonder if the problem is in this line:

aprx.importDocument(current_document_name)‍

Is this code in a loop and you are only showing us the salient commands? If so may be the loop is loading up a project with say a broken layer in it? Or you are have some sort of network connection issue?

Re: Error trying to save layer from MXD to lyrx.

DanPatterson_Retired — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 13:43:31 GMT

watch your path construction

# ---- not good

backup_geodatabase_path = r"c:\somefolder\some.gdb"

new_file_name = backup_geodatabase_path + 'ActiveInfraProjects.lyrx'

new_file_name
'c:\\somefolder\\some.gdbActiveInfraProjects.lyrx'

# ---- concatenate the bits simply
args = [backup_geodatabase_path, 'ActiveInfraProjects.lyrx']

new_file_name = "\\".join([a for a in args])

new_file_name
'c:\\somefolder\\some.gdb\\ActiveInfraProjects.lyrx'‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

Re: Error trying to save layer from MXD to lyrx.

NeilAyres — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 12:14:35 GMT

Or use os.path.join(var1, var2, varetc) to construct paths to things

Re: Error trying to save layer from MXD to lyrx.

SteveScott — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 13:36:49 GMT

You mention a loop. I am importing a single .mxd so why would it be in a loop?

Re: Error trying to save layer from MXD to lyrx.

DuncanHornby — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 13:41:21 GMT

You are missing all the import modules part of your script which would suggest to me that you are showing a cut down version hence me speculating how you are running this code. You don't state how you are running it. So I'm suggesting you are not showing us the bigger picture and the problem lies elsewhere as I was able to run your code without error.

Re: Error trying to save layer from MXD to lyrx.

SteveScott — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 16:17:27 GMT

I needed to convert to a feature layer first.

arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management(infra_layers[0], "fl")
arcpy.CopyFeatures_management('fl', workspace_name)
arcpy.SaveToLayerFile_management(fl, new_file_name, 'ABSOLUTE')