topic arcpy.mapping.AddLayer not working properly with Python toolbox in Python Questions

arcpy.mapping.AddLayer not working properly with Python toolbox

TomMacDonald — Fri, 23 May 2014 15:44:06 GMT

I have ArcMap 10.1 SP1 (Build 3143) for Desktop. I'm trying to execute the following simple code.

import arcpy

class Toolbox(object):
    def __init__(self):
        self.label = 'Tools'
        self.alias = 'Tools'
        self.tools = [Tool]

class Tool(object):
    def __init__(self):
        self.label = 'Get it to work'
        self.canRunInBackground = False

    def getParameterInfo(self):
        parameters = []
        return parameters

    def isLicensed(self):
        return True

    def updateParameters(self, parameters):
        return

    def updateMessages(self, parameters):
        return

    def execute(self, parameters, messages):
        mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument('CURRENT')
        df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)[0]
        
        layer = arcpy.mapping.Layer(r'O:\shp\mn.lyr')
        arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, layer)
        
        return

It does not raise any exceptions and the layers are added to the dataframe but they disappear as soon as they're added. I'm trying to automate map production and I need to add these layers.

Re: arcpy.mapping.AddLayer not working properly with Python toolbox

TomMacDonald — Fri, 23 May 2014 15:50:02 GMT

Wanted to add that I run the same code within the Python window and it works fine.

Re: arcpy.mapping.AddLayer not working properly with Python toolbox

TomMacDonald — Fri, 23 May 2014 16:44:44 GMT

After calling tech support I think I found an answer. Using the current map seems to introduce bugs so specify a path. Also I should be put mxd.save(), del mxd, and arcpy.RefreshActiveView() and arcpy.RefreshTOC() at the end. This gets it to work.