Exporting each layer in map to separate image using ArcPy?

Question

I have a mxd file with multiple layers I have to export to PNG/JPG. I would like to create a script which turns on layers one at the time before they are exported. So far I have come up with the following:

import arcpy, string

mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("current")

#Read input parameters from script tool
LyrList = string.split.(arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0), ";")

PNGPath = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(1)

#Turn of all lyrs in list
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, LyrList):
    lyr.visible = False


#Turn on lyr and export as png one by one
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, LyrList):
    lyr.visible = True
    arcpy.mapping.ExportToPNG(mxd, PNGPath+"\\" + lyr.name + ".png")
    lyr.visible = False

del LyrList
del mxd

For the LyrList I use a dialoge box with the parameter data-type as Layer. Does anyone have an idea how to get this script working? When I use the ListLayers wildcard the script does work, but since I have a lot of layerfiles which all hace a kind of unique name that does not do the job for me.

Answer 1

This should work. Rather than identifying your layers as a wildcard, you can test that the layer name is equal to the current layer in your loop, if TRUE then you change visibility and export as a .png.

mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")  
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, '')[0] # assuming there is only 1 df you're interested in

#Read input parameters from script tool
allLayers = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0) # Must be a multivalue in script tool params
lyrList = allLayers.split(";")

PNGPath = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(1)

#Turn of all lyrs in list
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, '', df):
    for layer in lyrList:
        if lyr.name == layer:
            lyr.visible = False
arcpy.RefreshActiveView()

# Loop through each layer, turn it on and export map as PNG
for lyr in arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, '', df):
    for layer in lyrList:
        if lyr.name == layer:
            lyr.visible = True
            arcpy.RefreshActiveView() # May want to test without this -- ArcMap might export correctly without need for refresh active view
            arcpy.mapping.ExportToPNG(mxd, PNGPath+"\\" + lyr.name + ".png")
            lyr.visible = False