Bulk updating photo attachments to existing feature layer

[Pam_Kavaleski]

I have an existing tree layer with over 10000 trees. Approximately 4000 of the trees have existing photo attachments. I have a new subset of those trees with new photos.  I am trying to determine the best protocol to bulk upload the new attachments to the existing tree layer. If anyone can provide the optimal workflow to do this I would appreciate it. 

[CodyPatterson]

Hey @Pam_Kavaleski 

You could use the ArcGIS API for Python "Add Attachments": https://developers.arcgis.com/python/latest/guide/using-attachments-with-feature-layers/

In order to do this though, you would need a way to relate or at least tell which photo goes to what tree, if you don't have something in place that establishes that relationship, there may not be a 100% way to ensure all get matched to the proper feature.

Cody

[Pam_Kavaleski]

Thanks for your help! I do have an ID field I can use to relate the the photo to the tree. 

[bbollin]

hi @Pam_Kavaleski I think you can also do this via the UI, see our blog here: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-online/data-management/add-attachments-with-ease-us...

If you have a FGDB with the attachments and the unique ID field this should be a really easy and intuitive way to insert the new photos.

[Pam_Kavaleski]

Thank you. I will give that a shot!

[MarkBockenhauer]

If you have a lot of photos to add and are able to use ArcGIS Pro.  The Add Attachments geoprocessing tool with a match table that contains the file path to your attachment would be an efficient way to do this.  Especially if the names of your photos are easily matched to an attribute of your tree features.

Attachments tools workflows—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

Generate an attachment match table—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

Add Attachments (Data Management)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

[Pam_Kavaleski]

Thanks! This is very helpful.