AddLayer loads imagery with incorrect colors

[ScottOatley]

Hello,

My arcpy script uses the arcpy.mapping.AddLayer() function to add imagery raster datasets to the TOC. However, the symbology is defaulted to blue stretched rather than the appropriate RGB or grey stretched for color or b&w images respectively.

This doesn't happen if I drag-and-drop from Arc Catalog, a windows folder, or use the add data button.

Any idea why this happens?

Thank you,
Scott

[JasonScheirer]

Use the Make Raster Layer function, don't create arcpy.mapping.Layer objects directly from raster datasets. It will add them to the TOC with the correct symbology.

[ScottOatley]

I tried replacing this:

field = 'FILENAME'
cursor = arcpy.SearchCursor(myRefLayer)
for row in cursor:
    path = row.getValue(field)
    addLayer = arcpy.mapping.Layer(path)
    arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, addLayer, 'TOP')

with this:

field = 'FILENAME'
cursor = arcpy.SearchCursor(myRefLayer)
for row in cursor:
    path = row.getValue(field)
    name = os.path.basename(path)
    arcpy.MakeRasterLayer_management(path, name)

The former loads the imagery with the weird colors; the latter doesn't load any images. Is there something additional required with the MakeRasterLayer function? It didn't seem so from the help pages. I did try adding a RefreshTOC(), but that didn't change the result.

Thank you,
Scott

[JasonScheirer · Accepted solution]

How are you running this code? As a script tool?

Try this:

field = 'FILENAME' cursor = arcpy.SearchCursor(myRefLayer) for row in cursor:     fullpath = row.getValue(field)     path = os.path.dirname(fullpath)     name = os.path.basename(fullpath)     addLayer = arcpy.management.MakeRasterLayer(path, name)[0]     arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, addLayer, 'TOP')

[ScottOatley]

I'm running this as a script from a toolbox; sorry, forgot to mention that initially.

I made a slight change to your code, and the rasters load correctly as you said they would. I used the path including the file name as the first parameter to MakeRasterLayer rather than just the dir name. This also worked nicely to load mosaic datasets.

field = 'FILENAME'
cursor = arcpy.SearchCursor(myRefLayer)
for row in cursor:
    path = row.getValue(field)
#    path = os.path.dirname(fullpath)
    name = os.path.basename(path)
    addLayer = arcpy.management.MakeRasterLayer(path, name)[0]
    arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, addLayer, 'TOP')

A couple of follow-up questions...

When do I code using arcpy.management.<function>() versus arcpy.<function>_management() syntax?

Eventually I'll want to put this code in an one of my addIns. Should I expect it to work pretty much as is?

Thank you,
Scott

[JasonScheirer]

arcpy.management.<function>() and arcpy.<function>_management() are functionally equivalent, it's a matter of personal preference.

Once it's an add-in, just calling the tool should add it to the TOC without the AddLayer part.

[ScottOatley]

Thanks for your help Jason.

Best regards,
Scott