[GIS] Creating model to copy feature classes from ArcSDE to FIle Geodatabase

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I am trying to create a model in ArcGIS that copies the feature classes which are stored in SDE geodatabase “SQL” to file geodatabase “in order to sync my SDE data to FGDB“, here what is the best practice to do this, I mean I am trying to use copy features tool, but It seems not efficient because of the following reason which is that I have 10 feature classes stored in my sde database so I need to use copy feature 10 times with 10 parameters and if one of my F.C was renamed then I should edit the model again , If there is any tool or method that copies the whole sde to FGDB

Best Answer

The best way to handle this in ModelBuilder is to use the Iterate Feature Classes tool. It will find all the feature classes in the specified workspace (such as SDE geodatabase) and create an iterable list which you can then process with the Copy Features GP tool. The Copy Features will all the feature classes one by one, and you shouldn't care if any changes occur in the SDE geodatabases.

Alternatively, you could use the arcpy's ListFeatureClasses function if you are comfortable with Python. It might be actually way faster to write a Python script that will copy the feature classes between the geodatabases comparing to building a model. Look at the samples here:

HowTo: Automate copying datasets from one database to another

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Coordinate System – Copy Geodatabase and Reproject Features from WGS84 to State Plane

Thanks all for your responses. Unfortunately, none of the solutions mentioned did the trick for me, although I'm sure they would all work under slightly different circumstances.

The resolution is in the following steps:

Feature Class to Geodatabase (multiple) to copy all feature classes from the original geodatabase to the new empty geodatabase.
Set Environments on Feature Class to Geodatabase tool with Output Coordinate System specified in desired new coordinate system.
Table to Table tool (multiple) to copy all tables from the original geodatabase to the new geodatabase.
Manually recreate all relationship classes.

I wish there were a better solution to this, but I just couldn't get it to work without breaking all the relationship classes. I hope this helps someone in the future.

[GIS] Creating empty feature class in file geodatabase based on schema of ArcSDE feature class

Just use the CreateFeatureClass tool, passing the original feature class as the template argument. Grab the shape type from the Describe object of the input feature class.

Unlike the other answer, this won't copy a bunch of unnecessary records only to delete them right away.

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace= 'MyGDB.gdb'
fcs = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses()
output = "OutGDB.gdb"
for fc in fcs:
    geom = arcpy.Describe(fc).shapeType
    arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(output, fc, geom, fc, spatial_reference=fc)

UPDATE:

If you need to preserve domains/subtypes, then run Select_analysis using a generic where clause that will capture none of the records, like OBJECTID < 0:

import os, arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace= 'MyGDB.gdb'
fcs = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses()
output = "OutGDB.gdb"
wc = 'OBJECTID < 0'
for fc in fcs:
    fc_out = os.path.join(output, fc)
    arcpy.Select_analysis(fc, fc_out, wc)

This is far more efficient than copying all the records and then deleting them. I've yet to find an approach that will preserve editor tracking.

Best Answer

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Coordinate System – Copy Geodatabase and Reproject Features from WGS84 to State Plane

[GIS] Creating empty feature class in file geodatabase based on schema of ArcSDE feature class

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