[GIS] Anything Python related causes crash to ArcGIS for Desktop

arcgis-10.3arcgis-desktoppython

Problem: ArcMap 10.3 crashes to desktop anytime I use a Python related function (Toolboxes, Field Calulator, Etc)

How I got to this point: I was trying to gain some familiarity with Python programming and opted to use the guide of Learn Python The Hard Way.
This involved downloading, installing Python and setting your environment using Powershell.
I believe this caused some issues since there was already an installation of Python in effect from having ArcGIS Installed. There was already a "Python27" folder on my main HDD.

Question: How do I tell my ArcMap to look in the "Python27\ArcGIS10.3" folder for Python? I'd prefer to avoid re-installing ArcGIS entirely.

Screenshots for thought:
enter image description here
^ From initial research, I found that I should have some sort of Python directory entered into these fields, but I'm not sure what specifically needs to go in there.

enter image description here

Best Answer

To resolve the issue I did the following:

Deleted extra installs/instances of Python outside of my ArcGIS10.3 folder.
Reset my environment by following the steps in "Learn Python The Hard Way" by telling it to look in "Python27\ArcGIS10.3"
Used "Repair Program" from the Setup application within the main folder for ArcGIS\Desktop

Things seem to be stable and operational now.

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I found the issue. I didn't have the PATH and PYTHONPATH variables set correctly. Apparently if the ArcGis 10.1 doesn't find a python interpreter it crashes silently...

I found the solution at: http://forums.arcgis.com/threads/60080-ArcMAP-10.1-Crashes-opening-the-ArcToolbox-window.

Go to Advanced system settings. In the window that comes up, go to the Advanced tab, then at the bottom click Environment Variables. Click in the list of system variables and start typing Python, and repeat for System variables, just to make certain that you don't have mis-set variables for PYTHONPATH or PYTHONHOME. Next, add new system variables: PYTHONPATH, set to C:\Python27\ ArcGIS10.1. PYTHONHOME, set to C:\Python27\ArcGIS10.1\ set PATH=%PYTHONHOME%;%PATH%

[GIS] NumPy is missing, but fixing the environment variable removed the printer settings

Based off this in Stack Overflow... You need to find out where your python console is pointing.

I am guessing it is pointing to another python.exe that doesn't have the arcpy, numpy or other modules.

Open your python console and type this:

import sys
sys.executable
>> directory where your python.exe is..e.g. mine is 'C:\\Python27\\ArcGIS10.3\\python.exe'

Here you can tell if you installed another python that modified your path variable away from the ESRI modules. You can go back in and edit it back to the ArcGIS instance if necessary. Hopefully you didn't delete the modules in there to save from installing again.

After doing this... edit your question to reflect the new info. The rest below is more information to review and not entirely a solution to your problem.

As for your environment variables. You need to always pay close attention when editing these. My suggestion (without going through and re-doing every variable) is to check through your list there and make sure the delimiter ; is in there where it needs to be.

I find it easier to select the whole string, copy it, and paste it into Notepad to get a better look at it. Each of those values needs to be separated by a ; and they need to point to a directory. You might find you removed one or did something else that affected other ones in the string. Word of advice, if you are new to those, you should always keep a copy of the original string to revert back to if issues arise.

One of the easier things to do if you want to combine these things is install something like Pip or Easy_Install to the ArcGIS python directly. That way when you use them to install stuff like NumPy, it will install to that directory.

You may find this post beneficial to your needs, too. I found I wanted to be able to use different python installs together in the command prompt. It can give you an idea of ways to do things differently.

Best Answer

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