Trigger custom geoprocessing tool outside ModelBuilder?

Question

I have created a model in a custom toolbox with ModelBuilder in ArcMap 10.1.

Is it possible to trigger the model outside ModelBuilder and ArcMap?

For example, use a Python script to trigger the model to operate?

Answer 1

Sure, you can use ImportToolbox to do the job (docs):

import arcpy
arcpy.ImportToolbox('C:/tools/my_toolbox.tbx')
arcpy.MyModel_MyToolbox()

Note that the 'MyToolbox' part in the third line comes from the toolbox Alias you set, and MyModel should match the name of the model or function. This should work equivalently for Script tools, ModelBuilder models, and Python Toolbox tools.