Latest Contributions by TimothyHales

The new Python Add-ins for ArcGIS 10.1 bring a whole new opportunity for customizations.  The pythonaddins module provides additional functionality within add-ins that is not available in stand-alone scripts or geoprocessing script tools.  Three of these functions that allow user input or interaction are: OpenDialog, SaveDialog, and MessageBox. Each of these functions allow information to be collected from the user.  It is up to the programmer to determine what to do with that information. The OpenDialog and Save Dialog functions return two different values depending on how the user interacts with the dialog.  When the user selects a dataset and clicks either Open or Save, it returns the full path of the dataset chosen.  If the Cancel button is clicked it returns 'None'. Value being passed to a print statement when clicked. The MessageBox function works in a similar way; however, it returns the string value representing the message button pressed.  For example, when the Ignore button is clicked it returns 'Ignore'.Below is a sample python add-in with comparison between the code and the dialogs: A) The Open Dialog opens. B) A file is chosen, and the Open button is clicked.  The file is added to the map. C) The Cancel button is clicked which opens the Warning Message. D) The Retry button is clicked which reopens the Open Dialog. E) The Cancel button is clicked which opens a final Warning Message. The above sample add-in is available on ArcGIS.com: Dialog Windows and Messages Timothy H. – Senior Support Analyst ... View more

Provide a way to add pictures and objects to the layout using arcpy.mapping. ... View more

It is always challenging when your coordinates are in Decimal Degrees (DD) format and you need them in Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS).  Amidst this challenge is determining how to do the conversion.  Is it best to open the table in Microsoft Excel and build an advanced formula?  Is there a Python or VB code snippet that will work in the Field Calculator?  You know there has to be an easier way. Within the Projections and Transformations toolset is a tool called Convert Coordinate Notation (Data Management > Projections and Transformations).  This tool will convert between the following coordinate formats: DD—Decimal degrees DDM —Decimal minutes DMS—Degrees-minutes-seconds GARS—Global Area Reference System GEOREF—World Geographic Reference System UTM —Universal Transverse Mercator USNG—United States National Grid MGRS—Military Grid Reference System To convert between coordinate formats using the Convert Coordinate Notation tool, follow these steps: Open the tool and select the table or feature class that has the values for conversion. Set an output location for the converted values to be saved. Set the X/Y fields and the Input/Output coordinates. Optionally, set an ID as the output will not carry over existing attribute fields. 5. Set up a table join so that the new format can be accessed in the original table. Be sure to check out the Convert Coordinate Notation tool help for more information and also to learn the format of each notation. Timothy H. – Senior Support Analyst ... View more

The Keyhole Markup Lanuage (KML) is a popular format for distributing GIS data and models.  KML files are usually small enough to email, and they can be opened in a variety of free viewers.  KML is an option when exporting models from CityEngine.  You may find that the models are not being displayed in the expected orientation when viewed in Google Earth. ©2012 Google and ©2012 Commonwealth of Virginia ArcGIS and Google Earth store and interpret KML files differently in that the Google Earth version is rotated by 180 degrees.  Because of this rotation difference, you will need to use one of the export presets based upon the software that will be used to view the data. The Google Earth option sets a heading correction of 180 degrees.  This allows the model to display correctly.  Keep in mind though, if you apply the Google Earth preset, the KML will not display correctly in ArcGlobe. ©2012 Google and ©2012 Commonwealth of Virginia Timothy H. - Raster/3D Support Analyst ... View more