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Managing tool layers

  • Create a tool layer
  • Executing the tool layer
  • Viewing execution messages
  • Saving a tool layer
  • Renaming a tool layer
  • Packaging a tool layer

Legacy:

The capability to create a tool layer was removed at version 10.1. Tool layers in ArcMap documents created prior to version 10.1 can still be used in 10.1.

With a few exceptions, tool layers are managed like any other group layer in ArcMap.

Create a tool layer

Legacy:

Prior to version 10.1, tool layers were a prerequisite for authoring and publishing geoprocessing services. At version 10.1, you no longer need tool layers to author and publish geoprocessing services. To create geoprocessing services at 10.1, you publish a geoprocessing result found in the Results window.

Learn more about creating geoprocessing services at version 10.1

Executing the tool layer

Right-click the layer and click Open. Fill in the parameter values and click OK.

Note:

Tool layers always execute in the foreground.

Viewing execution messages

Once the tool has been executed for the tool layer, you can view messages by right-clicking the tool layer and clicking View messages.

Note:

A result is not written to the Results window when you execute a tool layer.

Saving a tool layer

Tool layers can be saved like any other layer. Right-click the layer and click Save to Layer File.

Renaming a tool layer

To rename a tool layer, click the layer and press the F2 key. Alternatively, right-click the tool layer, click Properties, then change its name on the General tab of the Group Layer Properties dialog box.

Packaging a tool layer

Tool layers are not written to map packages or layer packages.

Learn more about sharing geoprocessing workflows

Related Topics

  • A quick tour of tool layers
  • Foreground and background processing
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