Simple Add-In tool to click and retrieve map coordinates on ArcMap

Python Add-In Assistant provides the opportunity to extend desktop functionality by adding and customizing tools and buttons. ArcGIS 10.1 or above have this capability.

Python Add-In Wizard is needed and it can be downloaded here. The wizard will generated basic codes to deploy the tools and buttons. The wizard will be downloaded as a zip file and extraction of zip file will created folder called ‘addin_assistant’.

An application called ‘addin_assistant.exe’ under the extracted folder will execute the wizard. It is better to create desktop shortcut of the application exe.

Double click to run ‘addin_assistant.exe’ to create a project.

There are two tabs on the open window. All the project attributes are edited under the Project Settings tab and Tools, Button, etc are configured under the Add-In Contents tab.

 

Python Add-In Wizard Window

 

Under the project settings,

• Set a working folder
• Set Product as ArcMap
• Add Project Properties (Name, Version, Company, Description and Author)

 

How to add a toolbar in Add-In wizard

In here, a Toolbar will be added to the ArcMap. The Toolbar can be added by right clicking the TOOLBARS and clicking New Toolbar under the Add-In Contents tab. Add a caption and ID for the toolbar which will be used to python scripts.

How to add a tool to the toolbar

To add a tool to click on the map and retrieve coordinates, right click on the created toolbar and add NewTool. Add a caption and ID and Message for the created tool.

Save the project editing and Open Folder. The folder contains project files will be opened.

Folder Contents of created tool

The python script under the install folder will be edited to customize functionality of the tool.

Start editing python script in IDLE console. Following codes are added to 'onMouseDownMap' function.

def onMouseDownMap(self, x, y, button, shift):

        self.x = x

        self.y = y

        print 'Clicked Location Coordinates are : {:.4f} , {:.4f}'.format(x, y)
        message = "Your mouse clicked on : " + str(x) + ", " + str(y)
        pythonaddins.MessageBox(message, "Capture Location")

Double click the ‘makeaddin.py’ file to create add-in.

Add-in is created on the same folder with project name.

File list after creation of the Add-In

Installing window of the Add-In

Double click the created add-in to include it to the ArcMap and then click Install Add-In. If it is successfully installed to ArcGIS folder, message will be appeared. 

Usually the add-in will be copied to ArcGIS default folder (C:\Users\xxx\Documents\ArcGIS\AddIns\Desktop10.1).

Open ArcMap and the new tool will be visible.

The created tool on ArcMap

The tool retrieve coordinates at the clicked location on the map