Book Image

Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook

By : Donald Eric Pimpler, Eric Pimpler
Book Image

Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook

By: Donald Eric Pimpler, Eric Pimpler

Overview of this book

ArcGIS is an industry standard geographic information system from ESRI.This book will show you how to use the Python programming language to create geoprocessing scripts, tools, and shortcuts for the ArcGIS Desktop environment.This book will make you a more effective and efficient GIS professional by showing you how to use the Python programming language with ArcGIS Desktop to automate geoprocessing tasks, manage map documents and layers, find and fix broken data links, edit data in feature classes and tables, and much more."Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook" starts by covering fundamental Python programming concepts in an ArcGIS Desktop context. Using a how-to instruction style you'll then learn how to use Python to automate common important ArcGIS geoprocessing tasks.In this book you will also cover specific ArcGIS scripting topics which will help save you time and effort when working with ArcGIS. Topics include managing map document files, automating map production and printing, finding and fixing broken data sources, creating custom geoprocessing tools, and working with feature classes and tables, among others.In "Python ArcGIS 10.1 Programming Cookbook" you'll learn how to write geoprocessing scripts using a pragmatic approach designed around an approach of accomplishing specific tasks in a Cookbook style format.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Inserting layers into a map document


The AddLayer() function can be used to add a layer to a map document either through auto-arrange or as the first or last layer in a data frame. However, it doesn't provide the control you need for inserting a layer in a specific position within a data frame. For this added control, you can use the InsertLayer() function. In this recipe, you will learn how to control the placement of layers added to a data frame.

Getting ready

The AddLayer() function simply adds a layer into a data frame or a group layer, and places the layer automatically using auto-arrange or specific placement at the top or bottom of the data frame or group layer. The InsertLayer() method allows for more precise positioning of a new layer into a data frame or a group layer. It uses a reference layer to specify a location and the layer is added either before or after the reference layer, as specified in your code. Since InsertLayer() requires the use of a reference layer, you can't use...