Exporting the model and adjusting the script

While modeling analysis in ModelBuilder has its drawbacks, there is one fantastic option built into ModelBuilder; the ability to create a model and then export the model to Python. Along with the ArcGIS help documentation, it is the best way to discover the correct Python syntax to use when writing ArcPy scripts.

Create a folder that can hold the exported scripts next to the SanFrancisco geodatabase (for example, C:\Projects\Scripts). This will hold both the exported scripts that ArcGIS automatically generates, and the versions that we will build from those generated scripts.

Open the model called Chapter3Model1 and click on the Model menu in the upper left. Select Export from the menu, and then select To Python Script. Save the script in the script folder as Chapter3Model1.py.

Note

Note that there is also the option to export the model as a graphic. Creating a graphic of the model is a good way to share what the model is doing with other analysts...