Python script outputs polygon feature class with no shape_area or shape_length and therefore doesn't show up in arcmap

Question

I am trying to copy features a number of times based on a numeric field value.

The code below works for points when the POINT type is chosen. However, when I switched the feature type to POLYGON it correctly copies the features as many times as I want, but the polygons do not display when brought into arcmap. For example, the output attribute table (shown below) is populated, but the SHAPE_length and SHAPE_Area fields are shown as zero. Is there perhaps something in this code maybe within the input or search cursor '*' function that is not reading the shape_area and shape_length fields? The input feature class is a polygon and has a defined shape_area and shape_length for each record, which is not being carried over into the output feature class.

This table is from the output polygon feature class: enter image description here

def main(): 
import arcpy
import os 
fc_in = r"input.gdb\inputfeatureclass" # this one exists 
fld_count = "PHASE_COUNT" 
fc_out = r"input.gdb\outputfeatureclass" # this one will be created
arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True
sr = arcpy.Describe(fc_in).spatialReference 
# create the empty output featureclass 
path, name = os.path.split(fc_out) 
arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(path, name, "POLYGON", fc_in, "SAME_AS_TEMPLATE", "SAME_AS_TEMPLATE", sr) 
# insert the features into the output fc 
with arcpy.da.SearchCursor(fc_in, '*') as curs_in: 
 flds_in = curs_in.fields 
 idx_cnt = flds_in.index(fld_count) 
 with arcpy.da.InsertCursor(fc_out, '*') as curs_out: 
 for row in curs_in: 
 cnt = row[idx_cnt] 
 for i in range(0, cnt): 
 curs_out.insertRow(row) 
 if __name__ == '__main__': 
 main() 

• Tom: When you run it on points, does it create the point features?
• Tom: Is there a particular reason you're using cursors rather than just CopyFeatures_management?
• Damien: It does run on point features no problem. I am using a cursor because I am trying to insert rows based upon a field value, in this case the PHASE_COUNT field. Copy features wouldn't necessarily copy the features as many times as is listed in the phase count field would it?
• Emil Brundage: The code looks good. Are you trying to insert point features into a polygon feature class?
• Damien: That's good to hear. No, I am trying to insert polygon features into a polygon feature class.

Answer 1

"Polygon, polyline, or multipoint features can only be created using the SHAPE@ token." This tidbit from the arcgis resource center helped. I first updated the code to list all the fields in the feature class I was trying to copy (instead of using '*'), but instead of listing the SHAPE_AREA and SHAPE_LENGTH with all the other fields I changed it say just 'SHAPE@' instead. Problem solved..

def main(): 
import arcpy
import os
env = r"T:900円.Users\Kerwin\HousinStudy\D1.gdb"
from arcpy import env
fc_in = r"T:900円.Users\Kerwin\HousinStudy\D1.gdb\central_sorted" # this one exists 
fld_count = "PHASE_COUNT" 
fc_out = r"T:900円.Users\Kerwin\HousinStudy\D1.gdb\central_sorted_out" # this one will be created 
sr = arcpy.Describe(fc_in).spatialReference
path = r"T:900円.Users\Kerwin\HousinStudy\D1.gdb"
name = "central_sorted_out"
arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True
fieldnames = [u'OBJECTID', u'SHAPE', u'APN', u'STREET', u'CITY', u'SITUSZIP', u'JURIS', u'TMSA', u'TOD_CENTER', u'YEARBLT', u'DECADE_CLASS',\
 u'ZONING', u'LU_DESC', u'LU_CLASS', u'BLDG_DESC', u'SQFEET', u'FAR', u'TMRPA_ID', u'ALT_ZONING', u'ALT_ZONING_DESCRIPTION',\
 u'DEV_CLASS', u'DU_APPROVED', u'TM', u'TM_NAME', u'PUD', u'PUD_NAME', u'BUBBLE', u'ATOMIC', u'FINAL_MAPPED', u'MF_ID', u'DU_2013',\
 u'BUILT_DENSITY', u'TOTAL_DENSITY', u'DENSITY_CLASS', u'TMRPA_USE', u'VACANCY_STATUS', u'ZONING_CLASS', u'ZONING_CLASS_DESCRIPTION',\
 u'RESIDENTIAL_CLASS1', u'RESIDENTIAL_CLASS2', u'TOTAL_ACRES', u'UNCONSTRAINED_ACRES', u'NOTES', u'C_TOD_NAME', u'RSF_1', u'RSF_2', u'RSF_3',\
 u'RSF_4', u'RSF_5', u'RSF_7', u'RSF_8', u'RSF_9', u'RSF_10', u'RSF_11', u'RSF_12', u'RSF_14', u'modeledUnits', u'Model_Type',\
 u'Overall_Res_Suitability', u'ScenarioSubArea', u'ZoneName', u'MODEL_FLAG', u'MODEL_YEAR', u'MODEL_POP', u'PHASED', u'PHASE_COUNT',\
 u'SOURCE', 'SHAPE@']
# create the empty output featureclass 
## path, name = os.path.split(fc_out)
arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management("T:900円.Users\Kerwin\HousinStudy\D1.gdb\central_sorted", "input_layer")
arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(path, name, "POLYGON", "input_layer", "DISABLED", "DISABLED", sr) 
# insert the features into the output fc 
with arcpy.da.SearchCursor(fc_in, fieldnames) as curs_in: 
 flds_in = curs_in.fields 
 idx_cnt = flds_in.index(fld_count) 
 with arcpy.da.InsertCursor(fc_out, fieldnames) as curs_out: 
 for row in curs_in: 
 cnt = row[idx_cnt] 
 for i in range(0, cnt): 
 curs_out.insertRow(row)
if __name__ == '__main__': 
main()