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exportToPDF hangs in arcgis pro 2.8 running from toolbox .tbx

IanAlexander

I have an toolbox .tbx running a python / arcpy script that exports the layout to PDF and EPS . This toolbox worked in 2.7 , but now hangs in 2.8 . The lines it hangs on is:

the_layout.exportToPDF("C:\\temp\\test.pdf")

The same issue also occurs on:

the_layout.exportToPDF("C:\\temp\\now.pdf")

No exceptions are caught, the application just spins and does not return from the method call. Pressing cancel on the running toolbox does not stop this. Only killing the application in the task manager exits this. Oddly, the PDF file is created.

In the python window, the following code works as expected and does not hang:

aprx = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("current")
the_layout = aprx.listLayouts("letter_portrait")[0]
the_layout.exportToPDF("C:\\temp\\now.pdf")

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Accepted answers

jbarrette

This is going to be addressed in the 2.8.2 patch.

Jeff - arcpy.mp and Layout teams

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ohughes2

Hi Jeff, I'm having a problem with the exportToPDF() hanging as well. I have an aprx with multiple layouts. I'm converting a script that previously worked with arcpy.mapping to arcpy.mp and I'm unable to get the script to complete. It seems to make it all the way to exportToPDF and then hangs, it doesn't throw an error to catch either.

IanAlexander

This issue seems to be resolved with the 2.8.2 release . The layout export is working as expected.

Marshal

That is great news. Thank you for the update, Jeff!

I realize this may be asking too much, but do you have any sort of time frame when 2.8.2 might drop? More than a month? Trying to evaluate if it is worth reinstalling 2.7 to get these processes working.

No worries if you cannot provide insight. Just thought it couldn't hurt to ask.

Thanks again for the help!

jbarrette

This is going to be addressed in the 2.8.2 patch.

Jeff - arcpy.mp and Layout teams

Marshal

Just wanted to chime in here since I am having a similar issue since updating to 2.8. All of my scripted maps are hanging on exportToPDF. This is occurring both from python directly, and from Pro toolboxes. The time.sleep workaround did not work for me unfortunately. Thank you for the potential solution though, and glad it worked for you.

IanAlexander

Jeff,

I found a work around for now. Adding a sleep for 3 seconds prior to running the export allows the export to run correctly (sleeping for 1 second still hangs).

time.sleep(3)

Thank you,

Ian

jbarrette

That is unfortunate. I hoped we had a solution. 2 others have confirmed my findings. The best thing to do is to somehow get a reproducible case to technical support so your situation can be evaluated.

Jeff

IanAlexander

Jeff,

Thank you for the note. The labels are all Arcade expressions. I simplified the expressions and turned off the labeling:
the_layer.showLabels = False

Unfortunately, exportToPDF still hangs.

Thank you,

Ian

jbarrette

Ian, we might have found the cause. Do you have any layers with labels that use simple or advanced Python expressions? A customer just reported they are having a similar hang as you and turning off the labeled or changing the expression engine (eg., to Arcade) allows export.

Jeff - Layout and arcpy.mp teams

jbarrette

Ian, the map not displaying is an interesting clue. If your steps are clear and reproducible and you can produce a project package (ppkx), you are welcome to send it directly to me (jbarrette@esri.com).

Jeff

IanAlexander

Jeff,

Thank you for the note. You are correct. When I create a simple tbx with the three line script, I am unable to get the script to hang. Unfortunately, the PDF that is created shows the layout elements, but the map is blank / missing.

I will work to get a concrete example that results in the hanging I am experiencing with my existing production toolbox.

Thank you,

Ian

jbarrette

Ian, I can NOT reproduce, even on 2.8 final. Just to be clear, I've created a script tool in a toolbox (tbx) that has no parameters and runs your 3 lines of code.

Again, can you reproduce this issue with other projects / layouts? I could be data specific. In these cases it makes the most sense to open an Esri support instance where they have the resources to help you diagnose the problem.

Jeff = Layout and arcpy.mp teams

IanAlexander

Jeff,

The layout creates correctly, and the code works in the python window. It is only when it is run through a toolbox (.tbx) that it hangs on exportToPDF (after the layout has already been successfully created). There are no duplicate layout names. The toolbox can be brought into any 2.8 project, and will fail/hang. The toolbox can be brought into any 2.7 project, and it will succeed.

jbarrette

Ian,

I can NOT reproduce this issue using the code you have above. Can you reproduce with other layouts in other projects? Is there something unique about the project, the data, do you have multiple layouts with the same name, etc?

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