[GIS] Installing ArcPy (from ArcGIS Pro) with Anaconda

anacondaarcgis-proarcpyinstallation

I would like to use ArcPy from ArcGIS Pro with my Anaconda install.

ArcGIS Pro installs a 64bit python3 version of arcpy. How do I add this version of arcpy to my anaconda 64bit python3 install?

And if I need to find the arcpy version on the file system to do this, how do I find it? and how do I know that I've found the correct file?

Best Answer

With ArcGIS Pro 1.3, conda is included as part of the base Python installation. If you can wait, this is probably the easiest way to integrate the two as the shipped environment will provide a consistent set of packages used by the application.

If you'd like to work with your Anaconda environment today, you can do so but it can be problematic — you need to ensure that packages used by the application match the versions installed into your Anaconda environment. Particularly, the NumPy version must match the version used within Pro. You can then try adding the ArcGISPro.pth file as mentioned in the commends by @Luke. Curtis Price has also written up an extensive guide on integrating Anaconda with ArcGIS that you may find of use.

Workflow to set up Anaconda with ArcGIS 10.4

Install Anaconda without fouling the Windows environment (paths, registry) to break Esri's python stack
Configure Anaconda with the particular add-ons you want, and
Configure ArcGIS's Python so that it is aware of the appropriate Anaconda content.

1) Install Anaconda for All Users

Go to http://continuum.io/downloads
Download the 32-bit version of Anaconda (Python 2.7)
In the install dialogs:
- Select install for All Users
- Install to a folder by default (C:\Anaconda2)
- IMPORTANT: To avoid breaking ArcGIS (or other software), uncheck the checkboxes (a) make Anaconda the default Python and (b) add Anaconda's Python to the PATH.
Go to Start > All Programs(apps) > Anaconda2(32-bit) > Anaconda Prompt. Right click, run as administrator

2) Configure an Anaconda environment for use with ArcGIS

Find the versions of numpy and matplotlib ArcGIS is using.

Open ArcMap and its Python window, and enter these commands:

>>> import sys, numpy, matplotlib
>>> print(sys.version, numpy.__version__, matplotlib.__version__)
('2.7.10 (default, May 23 2015, 09:40:32) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)]', '1.9.2', '1.4.3')

Create an Anaconda environment that is compatible with ArcGIS
- Get to the Anaconda Command Prompt (Start > All Programs(apps) > Anaconda2(32-bit), pick "Anaconda Prompt"), Right click, Run as Administrator.
- Type (depending on ArcGIS version, I am using ArcGIS 10.4 as an example here):
- "conda create -n arc104 python=2.7.10 numpy=1.9.2 matplotlib=1.4.3 pyparsing xlrd xlwt pandas scipy ipython ipython-notebook ipython-qtconsole"
- Enter y to proceed.
- Anaconda's conda command will then set up an environment subdirectory, ex: " C:\Anaconda2\envs\arc104 ", installing the downloaded packages into it.
Test the virtual environment
- At the Anaconda Command Prompt, type: activate arc104
- Type: conda list. You can see the list of packages installed.
Add more packages
- You can add more packages using conda install, but make sure you specify version numbers for these that won't change the environment's version of python or numpy (or ArcGIS will not be able to use that environment anymore).
- Let's add the Python Spatial Analysis Library (pysal) module.
- Type the following command at the Anaconda Prompt:"conda install -n arc104 python=2.7.10 numpy=1.9.2 matplotlib=1.4.3 pysal"

3) Configure ArcGIS to see Anaconda and vice versa

Anaconda Python to ArcPy
- Copy the Desktop10.4.pth file to the Anaconda environment site-packages folder:
- From: C:\Python27\ArcGIS10.4\Lib\site-packages\Desktop10.4.pth
- To: C:\Anaconda2\envs\arc104\Lib\site-packages\Desktop10.4.pth
Arcpy to Anaconda Python
- Create a zconda.pth (path) file with the content "C:\Anaconda\envs\arc104\lib\site-packages" in it.
- Then copy zconda.pth to C:\Python27\ArcGIS10.4\Lib\site-packages
Testing in ArcMap
- As a regular user, start ArcMap, open the Python window
- type "import pysal"
- type "pysal." A popup menu with a list of pysal-provided functions is a pretty good sign the installation succeeded.
Testing in PyCharm
- Start PyCharm, in File\Settings…, choose Project then Project Interpreter
- Ignore the drop down list for Project Interpreter, and click the cog button to Add Local, and in the file browser pick C:\Anaconda2\envs\arc104\python.exe
- To run your script, right click it in the Project window, and choose either Run or Debug
- Restart PyCharm for the Python Console to use the arc104 environment.

Workflow to set up Anaconda with ArcGIS Pro 1.3

1) Create an Anaconda environment that is compatible with ArcGIS Pro

Copy the folder arcgispro-py3 from C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\Python\envs and paste to C:\Anaconda2\envs
Rename the copied folder arcgispro-py3 in C:\Anaconda2\envs to arcpro

2) Test the virtual environment

At the Anaconda Command Prompt, type: activate arcpro
Type: conda list. You can see the list of packages installed

3) Add more packages

Let's add the Python Spatial Analysis Library (pysal) module.
Type the following command at the Anaconda Prompt:"conda install pysal"

4) Configure ArcGIS to see Anaconda and vice versa

Anaconda Python to ArcPy
- Edit the ArcGISPro.pth (path) file within "C:\Anaconda2\envs\arcpro\lib\site-packages".
- Change the relative ArcPy path to C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\Resources\ArcPy
- Change the relative ArcToolBox path to C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\Resources\ArcToolBox
Arcpy to Anaconda Python
- Create a zconda.pth (path) file with the content "C:\Anaconda2\envs\arcpro\lib\site-packages" in it.
- Then Copy zconda.pth to C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\Python\envs\arcgispro-py3\lib\site-packages
Testing in ArcGIS Pro
- Start ArcGIS Pro, open the Python window
- type "import pysal"
- type "pysal." A popup menu with a list of pysal-provided functions is a pretty good sign the install succeeded.
Testing in PyCharm
- Start PyCharm, in File\Settings…, choose Project then Project Interpreter
- Ignore the drop down list for Project Interpreter, and click the cog button to Add Local, and in the file browser pick C:\Anaconda2\envs\arcpro\python.exe
- To run your script, right click it in the Project window, and choose either Run or Debug
- Restart PyCharm for the Python Console to use the arcpro environment.

References

https://gisday.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/setting-up-anaconda-pysal-with-arcgis-python-environment/

Python/ArcPy Installation – Setting Up with ArcGIS Pro and Visual Studio

Python/ArcPy for ArcGIS Pro 1.3 is now installed in

C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\Python\envs\arcgispro-py3\

So your IDE needs to be pointed at that environment to pick up the link to arcpy.

In Visual Studio open the Python Environments window, click "+ Custom..." and select "Configure".

Give the new environment a name e.g. Python 64-bit 3.5 ArcPy and populate the path fields with the path above, specifying the relevant file in that path for each field.

Prefix Path: C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\Python\envs\arcgispro-py3\
Interpreter Path: C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\Python\envs\arcgispro-py3\python.exe
Windowed Interpreter: C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\Python\envs\arcgispro-py3\pythonw.exe
Library Path: C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\Python\envs\arcgispro-py3\Lib
Language Version: 3.5
Architecture: 64-bit

Click Apply on the right.

For more information see Python and ArcGIS Pro 1.3 : Conda, which includes help for other IDEs as well.