Opening an AGX 1500 generated layer package in ArcMap 9.3.1 (with no service packs)

[danan]

In the web help, it says layer packages can be opened by ArcMap 9.3.1 clients. I have an ArcMap 9.3.1 client (no service packs) and can't get it to open any AGX 1500 layer packages I've created. ArcMap simply doesn't seem to recognize the *.lpk extension. However, AGX 1500 itself can open the layer packages without issue:

http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisexplorer/1500//en/sharing_layer_packages.htm

[INDENT]"The layer package can be opened by ArcGIS Desktop versions 9.3.1 and newer, as well as ArcGIS Explorer."
[/INDENT]

Dragging the layer package onto ArcMap's Table of Contents results in an error ("Could not open the specified document") and *.lpk files are not recognized in ArcMap from the Add Data dialog. What might I be doing wrong, or was this functionality released only for ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1 SP1 and/or SP2? Hoping it's user error on my part.

Also, what needs to occur to enable users to save data from a map service as part of a layer package? Currently, I get a grayed-out check box for saving ArcSDE data (which our AGS 9.3.1 map services are, in fact, based on). Do I need to install the data expansion pack or is this option simply not allowed for a map service? Do I need to set up a geodata service?

[MichaelBranscomb]

Hi,

To add a Layer Package to ArcMap you just need to double click the .LPK file. To give you a little more info on this - there's an application called the ArcGISFileHandler.exe which is associated with the various ArcGIS-related file types (e.g. .LPK) and this small application will determine what ArcGIS application to open... or alternatively what ArcGIS applications are already running. You can find this app at - C:\Program Files\Common Files\ArcGIS\bin\ArcGISFileHandler.exe. Double click the app to launch a small dialog which lets you choose various options.

Regarding data packaging - to package ArcSDE based data you will need the data expansion pack.

Cheers

Mike

[danan]

Hi,

To add a Layer Package to ArcMap you just need to double click the .LPK file. To give you a little more info on this - there's an application called the ArcGISFileHandler.exe which is associated with the various ArcGIS-related file types (e.g. .LPK) and this small application will determine what ArcGIS application to open... Regarding data packaging - to package ArcSDE based data you will need the data expansion pack.

Thanks Mike. Double-clicking the .LPK file from Windows Explorer worked for me. Can you please confirm (if it's the case) that double-clicking the layer package file is the only way to load a layer package in ArcMap 9.3.1? Also, do you know if AGX 1500-generated layer packages can be loaded from inside ArcMap at subsequent SPs for 9.3.1 and/or ArcMap 10?

I will give the data expansion pack a try.

Thanks again.

[danan]

Hi Mike,

I installed the Data Expansion Pack for AGX 1500. Still, when I try to save a Layer Package, the option to save ArcSDE data remains grayed-out. Please see attached screen shot.

Is there something else I'm missing? Does something need to be enabled on the Map service? Or will this option enable only for Geodata services?

[danan]

I opened a separate thread focused exclusively on the possibility of extracting data from ArcGIS Server services using AGX 1500:

http://forums.arcgis.com/threads/16122-Can-data-from-an-ArcGIS-Server-9.3.1-service-be-extracted-by-...