probably the simplest thing to get you started is to just create a Python Addin with a single button on a toolbar that buffers a layer in the TOC.You'll need to:
- Download the Python Addin Wizard.
- Start the Python Addin Wizard and Create a Toolbar with a Single Button on it.
- Save the Addin and then hit the Open Folder Button.
- Go into the Install Folder and script contained in that folder.
For a button, you don't need any of the functions except for the OnClick function.
import arcpy
import pythonaddins
class SuperBuffer(object):
"""Implementation for LYR.THM_WkrsSqMi (Button)"""
def __init__(self):
self.enabled = True
self.checked = False
def onClick(self):
#Instantiate 'mxd' and 'df' as the Map Document and DataFrame variables
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("Current")
print "'mxd' instantiated as Map Document variable."
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)
print "'df' instantiated as DataFrame variable."
#Create a Variable for the Layer you wish to Buffer. Later, you can get this dynamically
#by using the 'arcpy.mapping.ListLayers' function to populate a Combobox with the layers
#in your TOC
layer = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "Layer you want to Buffer", df)
print "'layer' variable instantiated."
#Create a Variable to hold your Output FC so that you can add it to the Map after it
#is created by the buffer tool.
out_fc ="Layer_Buffer"
print "'out_fc' variable instantiated."
#Establish your Workspace
workspace = arcpy.env.workspace = "C:\Temp\MyFileGeodatabase.gdb"
print "Workspace set."
#Run the Buffer Analysis on your Layer. You could also specify the distance and unit
#of measurement dynamically using Comboboxes for Each and use the 'selection' for
#those Comboboxes as the input.
print "Buffering Layer..."
arcpy.Buffer_analysis(layer, workspace + "\"" + out_fc, "2 Miles", "FULL", "ROUND", "ALL")
print "Buffer Operation Complete."
#Add the newly created Buffer Layer to your MXD
print "Adding Buffer to Map Document"
arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, out_fc, "AUTO_ARRANGE")
print "Script Complete"
- Save the Script and back out of the Install Folder.
- Run the makeaddin.py script to compile the addin and generate the ESRI Addin file.
- Double click on the ESRI Addin File to install it.
- Open up the Python Window so you can see the Print Statements as the script progresses.
- Modify the script as neccesary.
Disclaimer: I just wrote this out of my head, I didn't test or compile it so you might need to do some tweaking to get it to work, but I think it should run 'out-of-the-box'.
