Automating Data Updates Using Geoprocessing

Craig Carpenter | Senior Consultant

Gordon Sumerling | Senior Consultant
 Geoprocessing and Python
Take a look at:
Geoprocessing
Using Model Builder
Chaining tools together in Model Builder
Using python to for scripting
Automating the running of python scripts
What is Geoprocessing?
Geoprocessing framework
 Model Builder
Visual Programming language
Allows you to use, create, edit and manage tools
Models are essentially workflows stringing together sequences of tools
 Model Elements
Variables Iterator

Tools

Intermediate
Connectors
data
 What Tools Do I Use?
Many tools in the Toolbox
Every action inside ArcGIS is accessible from a tool
Often more than one tool to complete the same job

Need to understand process before creating model

Demo
 Why Export to Python?
Python requires coding effort but
provides a much more flexible and
richer environment to develop &
automate workflows

Python can:
Supports > 1x iterator,
conditional statements
Import external libraries to
extend scripts e.g. do emailing,
database connections, complex
mathematical calculations
Provide finer grain control
Exporting & Enhancing with
Python Demo
 Model Builder can be used to quickly build a GIS workflow
Models can be exported to python to enhance existing model builder work
and save time coding
Python enhancements are only limited by your imagination
Python scripts can be called from a Windows Scheduled Job to fire anytime
of the day automatically
Once a task has been automated you are free to do other more interesting
work
ArcGIS online help documentation provides detailed explanations on all the
functions, coding examples, and syntax.
Technology
ArcGIS for Desktop 10.1, 10.2, 10.3
Any IDE such as IDLE, PythonWin, PyScripter

Resources
Esri Australia training courses:
ArcGIS 3: Performing Analysis
Introduction to Geoprocessing Scripts Using Python
Writing Advanced Geoprocessing Scripts Using Python
ArcGIS Help documentation: resources.arcgis.com/en/help/
GeoNet The Esri Community: geonet.esri.com