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Batch Make Defense Grids and Graticules

Summary

Creates one or more grids and graticules layers from multiple selected areas of interest (AOIs) with the Esri Defense Mapping Make Defense Grids and Graticules tool. A grids and graticules layer is a group layer composed of point, line, polygon, and annotation feature classes. Masking and symbology are applied to the layers within the group layer to create feature-based cartographic effects for high-end map products.

This tool supports the creation of single, dual, and zipper zone grids. Zone type is automatically determined by the selected features within the input area of interest. This tool automatically determines which grid template .xml is used in grid generation.

Usage

  • This tool creates one grids and graticules layer per selected feature in the Input Area of Interest.

  • You can create new or edit existing grid templates using the Grids and Graticules Designer in the Esri Production Mapping or Esri Defense Mapping solutions.

  • Grid templates can be found in the <ArcGIS installation directory>\GridTemplates\DefenseMapping directory.

  • The Reference Scale parameter is used when creating grids and graticules layer features. Reference scale can be set within the Grid Template (XML) file or read from the current ArcGIS environment.

Syntax

BatchDefenseGrids_defense (in_aoi_features, grid_type, template, in_workspace, in_dataset, grid_field, reference_scale, mask_margin)
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_aoi_features

The polygon feature layer that contains one or more selected features. A grids and graticules layer is created for each selected feature.

Layer
grid_type

Indicates the type of Defense Mapping cartographic product that will include a grid. This tool uses the in_aoi_features extent and the grid_type to populate the template parameter with an appropriate grid .xml file. If grid_type is set to NONE, the template parameter will not autopopulate. Set grid_type to NONE to manually select a template .xml file.

  • NONE —Custom grid type. Choose this option for a custom Grid Template .xml file.
  • ICM_3K —Grids for 3K ICMs
  • ICM_5K+ —Grids for 5K–7.5K ICMs
  • ICM_10K+ —Grids for 10K–15K ICMs
  • LPC50 —Grids for 50K LPCs
  • JOGA —Grids for JOG-A
  • TLM50 —Grids for 50K TLMs
  • TLM100 —Grids for 100K TLMs
  • TLM50_ELEVATION GUIDE —Grids for the TLM50 Elevation Guide
  • TLM100_ELEVATION GUIDE —Grids for the TLM100 Elevation Guide
String
template

XML file that stores a cartographic specification's graphic properties for each grid layer. These properties define the features and elements that compose a grids and graticules layer.

File
in_workspace

Workspace used in conjunction with the input Feature Dataset.

Workspace
in_dataset

The feature dataset that will store the grids and graticules layer feature classes. This tool will create the feature dataset if it does not exist. The feature dataset name is appended to all feature classes. Existing feature classes will be overwritten if you reexecute the tool with the same input parameters.

String
grid_field

The in_aoi_layer field whose values are used to name each grids and graticules layer. These values are also used to name the ANO_Masks feature classes created in in_dataset.

Field
reference_scale

The scale at which the grids and graticules layer features are created and should be viewed. If this parameter is not set, the tool will use the reference scale set in the Grid Template (XML) file. If reference scale in the Grid Template (XML) file is defined as Use Environment, the parameter value is derived in the following order:

  • The geoprocessing Reference Scale environment setting
  • The active data frame's reference scale
  • The active data frame's scale

Double
mask_margin

The amount of space that exists between the side of the annotation and the edge of the mask polygon feature. The units can be defined in page or map units. The default value is 0.2 millimeters. This creates a mask that is 0.2 millimeters, in page units, from the edge of any part of the grid annotation.

Linear unit

Code sample

BatchDefenseGrids example (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the BatchDefenseGrids tool.

# set the gp environment
arcpy.env.addOutputsToMap=True
gridsWorkspace="c:/data/grids.gdb"
arcpy.env.workspace=gridsWorkspace

# make sure there's a grids.gdb
if arcpy.Exists("c:/data/grids.gdb")==False:
    arcpy.CreateFileGDB_management("c:/data","grids.gdb")

# Local variables for all tools
aoiFc="C:/Program Files (x86)/ArcGIS/EsriDefenseMapping/Desktop10.2/ReferenceData/MapIndex.mdb/MapIndex/TLM100_Index"
aoiLayer='TLM100_Index'
nrnFeatures="NRN in ('V695X1662','V695X1364')"
gridXml="C:/Program Files (x86)/ArcGIS/Desktop10.2/GridTemplates/DefenseMapping/TLM100_Single.xml"
gridsDataset='gridsAndGraticules'
gridField="NRN"
referenceScale=500000
gridType="TLM100"
maskMargin="50 Meters"

# create a feature layer from the AOI feature class if it doesn't exist
if arcpy.Exists(aoiLayer)==False:
    arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management(aoiFc,aoiLayer)

# select some features
arcpy.SelectLayerByAttribute_management(aoiLayer,"NEW_SELECTION",nrnFeatures)

# if there are selected features
desc = arcpy.Describe("TLM100_Index")
if len(desc.FIDSet.split(";")) > 0:

	# execute the tool
	arcpy.BatchDefenseGrids_defense(aoiLayer, gridType, gridXml, gridsWorkspace, gridsDataset, gridField, referenceScale, maskMargin)

else:
	print "No features selected - did not execute BatchDefenseGrids"

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS Desktop Basic: No
  • ArcGIS Desktop Standard: No
  • ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Requires Defense Mapping

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