Set default python to 64 bit in ArcMap

[EricScharnhorst]

Hi, I hope this is an easy fix. I have 10.2.1 and 64-bit background geoprocessing installed. And in scripts outside of ArcMap, 64-bit python can import arcpy.

>>> import sys
>>> import arcpy
>>> sys.version
'2.7.5 (default, May 15 2013, 22:44:16) [MSC v.1500 64 bit (AMD64)]'
>>>

But in ArcMap it's always 32-bit. I have checked the "enable background geoprocessing" box. But in the python window, it is always 32-bit.

>>> import sys
>>> import arcpy
>>> sys.version
'2.7.5 (default, May 15 2013, 22:43:36) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)]'
>>>


So how to I make sure I'm running 64-bit python while in ArcMap?

[V_StuartFoote]

Eric,

The 'in-process' calls to Python, including the ArcMap Python console, remain 32-bit as the underlying arcpy C++ libraries they wrap are 32-bit.  Addition of the 64-bit geoprocessing extension replaces only a subset of the arcpy components with 64-bit versions--and the extension manages the correct calls when geoprocessing is run 'out-of-process'.

Point is, you can't use a native 64-bit Python within ArcMap--it remains 32-bit.

Stuart