Triggering/Listening python in ArcMap

CharlesLaughton — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 12:10:14 GMT

Hi folks

First time poster, trying to make python do my bidding, most grateful for any assistance. EPSG:27700

import arcpy
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)[0]
# oldDFextent = df.extent
# while not df.extent = oldDFextent
elm = arcpy.mapping.ListLayoutElements(mxd, "TEXT_ELEMENT", "GridRefField")[0]
elm.text = 'SK' + str(((df.extent.XMax - df.extent.XMin) / 2) + df.extent.XMin)[1:3] + str(((df.extent.YMax - df.extent.YMin) / 2) + df.extent.YMin)[1:3]
arcpy.RefreshActiveView()
del mxd

What i am trying to achieve is a text element on the layout screen which dynamically updates with the dataframe centroid.

However the built-in dynamic text...

<dyn type="dataFrame" name="Layers" property="center" decimalPlaces="0"/>

...doesn't allow me to manipulate the string it returns at all. I am seeking to coerce it into Ordnance Survey map sheet format...

i.e. 462,697.834 390,802.021 becomes SK6290

So, i turn to python. I now have a layout view text element called 'GridRefField', which i am pushing the values i want into using arcpy.mapping. This is working perfectly, but i am having to run the code manually whenever the dataframe extent changes, whereas i want this to just sit in the background and rerun every time the dataframe extent changes a la dynamic text.

How would i go about doing this? Is it doable within python or do i need to move towards coding an AddIn?

Many thanks for any assistance

Charles

Re: Triggering/Listening python in ArcMap

JoshuaBixby — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 12:40:16 GMT

ArcPy doesn't deal with events, at least listening for them, i.e., there is no "triggering/listening" built natively into the site package. If you want to access ArcObjects events from Python, you can use comtypes or some other Python-based COM interface package. Even going down that road, I am not sure how, or if, one would get it to work.

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Triggering/Listening python in ArcMap

Re: Triggering/Listening python in ArcMap