String output as an input dataset variable

Question

I have a model which creates topology with rules and validate itself. But I got used to working with layers in TOC and have a script in Calculate value tool that with a help of Parse path tool make a string output with feature dataset path in. Here is a script:

def GetPath(lyr):
 import os
 mxd=arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
 target=arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd,lyr)[0]
 return target.dataSource

And here is a part of model I want to be working. enter image description here

Unfortunately, Create topology tool requires path not to some output value or variable, but probably direct file path. That is a reason for crashing of model due to the non-existance of dataset parameter.

Anyway is it possible to make an Input Feature dataset as a variable which records a path from string data? In my case it should be like %FDS%.

• Hornbydd: When you complete the Calculate Value tool what do you set the output type to?
• Pavel Pereverzev: @Hornbydd Variant. I tried Feature Dataset, but it makes model crashing, because it still finds a path to layer, not dataset.
• artwork21: Defining the calculate variable as Feature Dataset and removing parse path, did you try output_value for the topology in dataset?
• Pavel Pereverzev: @artwork21 I tried but it calculates a path to layer, not dataset.
• artwork21: Is your GetPath(lyr) call lyr variable a string of the layer name in ArcMap?

Answer 1

1. Set Calculate Value output to be FeatureDataset
2. Remove Parse path tool
3. Replace you code with the following:

def GetPath(lyr):
 import arcpy,string
 mxd=arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
 featureLayer=arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd,lyr)[0]
 # Get FULL path
 path = featureLayer.dataSource
 # Get FeatureClass name
 fc = featureLayer.datasetName
 # Get index position of featureclass name in full path, -1 strips off \
 idx = string.rfind(path,fc) - 1
 # Return FeatureDataset
 return path[:idx]

4. Connect tool to create Topology tool

• Pavel Pereverzev: everything is ok when I launch this model from model builder window. But when I launch it from the Catalog it crashes. The reason is a feature class, a path to which I calculate also through Calculate Value tool that has Feature class output. Topology is created right in Dataset I need but "Add feature class to topology" doesn't react on Calculate Value tool or something like %Feature dataset%\tline; it wants to add "tline" taken from the last launch of model within ModelBuilder interface.