Converting Feature Class to Coverage in ArcPy?

Question

Not much info out there these days on coverages in PYTHON.

I need to convert a feature class to a coverage but cannot find out how to do it in python.

All I have found is "http://resources.esri.com/help/9.3/ArcGISDesktop/com/Gp_ToolRef/conversion_tools/feature_class_to_coverage_conversion_.htm" but this doesn't get me far.

I have all required licenses.

I have not scripted out the example yet as its formatting doesn't make sense to me.

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With help from below, I was able create a coverage. That coverage still needs to have Labels created and the arcpy.CreateLabels_arc is not recognized by arcpy. Not much help out there regarding this either.

I do have ArcINFO installed. I am wondering if I have to create an arcinfo workspace as referenced in http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//0017000000ps000000 .

If this is the case how do I then implement this for my labels?

arcpy.FeatureclassToCoverage_conversion(env.workspace + '\\' + r + ' POLYGON', TEMP + str(FMUNAME) + '_Cov' , "", "DOUBLE")

• PolyGeo: I think the first hurdles will be whether you have an ArcInfo level license and ArcInfo Workstation installed. If you do, then can you edit your question to include precisely what happens when you try to run that tool.
• mkennedy: Do you have an Advanced license? There's the Feature Class To Coverage tool. I don't think it needs ArcInfo workstation installed.
• PolyGeo: I'll defer to @mkennedy on whether you need ArcInfo Workstation installed.
• mkennedy: I was just able to run it on a standard polygon shapefile in 10.3 without workstation installed. However, the "label" layer for two different conversions give an error message when trying to draw them in ArcMap.

Answer 1

The Feature Class to coverage tool is maintained in ArcGis 10.1.

You may need to create an ArcInfo workspace first and then put the coverage there. From memory the tool will break the features down to the requirements of a coverage:

• 500 vertex limit on lines
• no overlapping polygons
• lines cannot intersect

After conversion it may be necessary to Build the coverage to enforce topology and create elements that don't exist (like build for node).

All of these tools require an Advanced (ArcInfo) license level.

If you have ArcInfo workstation installed you can use SHAPEARC to import a shapefile. More advanced data storage (personal/file geodatabase) cannot be accessed/manipulated in workstation but shapefiles and CAD can be imported... If you're not familiar with workstation then I would avoid using (or even installing) it as you're likely to get yourself frustrated very quickly. There are still many on GIS.SE that remember workstation and AML should you have any specific problems.

• D_C: Working inside of arcgis I have no trouble with feature class to coverage. I am trying to implement it inside of python code.
• Michael Stimson: If it can be done in model builder then export to python or alternately as PolyGeo showed recently you can export to python script from the results window in catalog. This will give you a template that you can manipulate/modify for scripting.
• D_C: it is late in the day and i forgot to even try exporting my model; I went directly to google and that turned up nothing.
• Michael Stimson: It's hard to find anything about coverages any more. They're not completely depreciated though - the rigid topology has its uses!
• user2856: @DavidCampbell if "Working inside of arcgis I have no trouble with feature class to coverage" then simply see the python examples in the help that Michael Miles-Stimson linked to in his answer.

Answer 2

In order to use the _arc tools, I had to get at the toolbox and alter the alias:

import arcinfo, arcpy, os, sys
from arcpy import env
arcpy.SetProduct("ArcInfo")
tbx = arcpy.ImportToolbox(r"C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.1\ArcToolbox\Toolboxes\Coverage Tools.tbx", "newalias")
print arcpy.Usage("union_newalias")
if tbx is None:
 print "Toolbox is null"
else:
 tools = arcpy.ListTools("*_arc")
 print "Number of tools found: " + str(len(tools))
 for tool in tools:
 print tool
 #print arcpy.Usage(tool)
env.workspace = "G:\\Projects\\P747\3円_Landbase\\LB1\\temp\\test2\\"
TEMP = "\\\\silver\\clients\\Projects\\P747\3円_Landbase\\LB1\\TEMP\\"
print 'Loaded Data....'
if arcpy.Exists(TEMP + "airworkspace3"):
 arcpy.Delete_management(TEMP + "airworkspace3")
arcpy.CreateArcInfoWorkspace_management(TEMP, "airworkspace3")
r = 1
for fc in arcpy.ListFeatureClasses():
 print 'Working on ' + fc
 OutName3 = TEMP + "TSA_EX2_" + OutName + ".shp"
 CovName = TEMP + "airworkspace3\\" + "Layer"
 CovName3 = TEMP + "airworkspace3\\" + "Success"
 if arcpy.Exists(CovName + str(r)):
 arcpy.Delete_management(CovName + str(r))
 arcpy.FeatureclassToCoverage_conversion(fc + " POLYGON", CovName + str(r), "", "DOUBLE")
 r += 1
print 'Working on Union' 
arcpy.Union_newalias(CovName + "1", CovName+ "2", CovName3)