Map Series with multiple map fames of different extents

Question

Hi all, I have a linear feature I need to capture in a figure series. To cut down on the number of pages I would like to show two map frames on each page one showing the first hundred feet of a feature the second showing 100-200. The next figure showing 200-400 ft on the two map frames.  A map series seems ideal for this but haven't been able to find a way to make a map series with multiple map frames showing different areas. Im almost trying to run two map series on one layout. I'm open to a programmatic approach but my python is rusty and I'm not sure where to start.
(ArcgisPro 3.3.1)

DavidSolari · Answer

Good work digging that post up, I always forget that arcpy has a decent PDF toolkit inside. Unfortunately, as I was tidying up the code it looks like it's unfinished. My assumption is the author wanted to grab the next odd page of the map series, index into the matching even page to get the geometry of the index and set the second frame to that extent. Here's what that looks like when finished:

# Purpose: This script is designed to show 2 pages from a Map Series on
# one Layout. The first map frame runs through the odd numbered
# pages in the series, while the second frame runs through the even
# numbered pages.It then combines all pages into a single, multipage PDF.

import arcpy, os

#Filepath variables are machine specific. May need to change to execute sample
output_folder = r"C:\Path\To\Folder"
pdf_file_name = "InsertNameHere.pdf"
pdf_path = os.path.join(output_folder, pdf_file_name)

#Reference the current project, MUST be run in the ArcGIS Pro application
p = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("current")

#Reference the appropriate Map frames, Maps, Layers, and Layout
m = p.listMaps("All")[0]
lyt = p.listLayouts("Combo Layout")[0]
df1 = lyt.listElements("MAPFRAME_ELEMENT", "Left Frame")[0]
df2 = lyt.listElements("MAPFRAME_ELEMENT", "Right Frame")[0]
lyr = m.listLayers("index")[0]

# Lookup of index extents and page numbers
features = {row[0]: row[1:] for row in arcpy.da.SearchCursor(lyr, ["idx", "page_count", "SHAPE@"])}

# Get map series
ms = lyt.mapSeries
if not ms.enabled:
    arcpy.AddError("Cannot export layout without an active map series.")
    raise SystemExit(1)

#Create a new PDF that pages will be added into
#First remove the file if it already exists
if os.path.exists(pdf_path):
    os.remove(pdf_path)
pdf = arcpy.mp.PDFDocumentCreate(pdf_path)

# Iterate odd pages, set matching map frame to matching even page, export and append
for page_num in range(1, ms.pageCount, 2):
    ms.currentPageNumber = page_num    
    if page_num in features:  # Assume page_num is always idx + 1
        next_count, next_shp = features[page_num]
        df2.camera.setExtent(next_shp.extent)
    else:
        df2.camera.setExtent(df1.camera.getExtent())
    page_name = os.path.join(output_folder, f"{page_num}.pdf")
    lyt.exportToPDF(page_name)
    pdf.appendPages(page_name)
    os.remove(page_name)

pdf.saveAndClose()

This runs into issues if you want to add page numbers but the output I've attached is a good first start. Certainly easier than learning another Python library.

InsertNameHere.pdf

LindaGreen · Answer

It'd be clunky and a pain to update, but could you set up a map that's just your second map frame, export those (every other page, I guess) as images, and and then attach the images in a layout that's driven by your first map frame/shows the odd pages?

I've only ever heard this is possible, never tried it myself, but this sounds like what I heard about.

ThomasHoman · Answer

If you polish the ArcGIS Pro Roadmap and peer intently https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-documents/arcgis-pro-roadmap-november-2024/ta-p/1558302 the third item in the near term might meet your need - Customize Layer Visibility per Map Frame. So I would guess Pro 3.5, 3.6 or whatever they move the numbering to.

Until then @DavidSolari 's method might be your best route.

Regards,

Tom