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:\\ProjectsScripts). This will hold both the exported scripts that ArcGIS automatically generates, and the versions that we will build from those generated scripts. Now, perform the following steps:

1. Open up the model called Chapter2Model1.
2. Click on the Model menu in the upper-left side of the screen.
3. Select Export from the menu.
4. Select To Python Script.
5. Save the script as Chapter2Model1.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...