Installing ArcGIS for Desktop with existing ActivePython install?

Question

I just did a clean OS install and installed ActivePython 2.7.2

I want to use this Python install for use with ArcGIS 10.1

I just installed ArcGIS 10.1 and it did a new Python install.

What do I need to do to get Python for ArcGIS to install on my current Python?

• Cyrus: Does the ActivePython installation include numpy 1.6.1? If not, that may have been the problem.
• ianbroad: No, I guess it doesn't. Well it might, but I think it's a new version. I did figure it out though. Thanks.

Answer 1

Alright, I figured out what was wrong. If you are using Python 2.7 and want ArcGIS to use your current Python install.

You need to download and install the following libraries before you install ArcGIS 10.1:

NumPy 1.6.1-

http://sourceforge.net/projects/numpy/files/NumPy/1.6.1/numpy-1.6.1-win32-superpack-python2.7.exe/download

Madplotlib 1.1.1-

http://sourceforge.net/projects/matplotlib/files/matplotlib/matplotlib-1.1.1/matplotlib-1.1.1.win32-py2.7.exe/download

If you do this, you will get a clean install.

EDIT:

The 10.1 documentation specifies that ArcGIS requires Python 2.7.x or Numpy 1.6.1 installed on the target computer. However, 10.3 documentation specifies Python 2.7.8 or Numpy 1.7.1, while 10.4 documentation specifies Python 2.7.10 and Numpy 1.9.2. When attempting to install ArcGIS 10.1 with Python 2.7.9+, ArcGIS will not see newer versions and will install a second Python 2.7 directory (as ArcGIS 10.1) within the existing Python27 directory.

• blah238: This is documented in the help. I think only NumPy is required, but can't hurt to have matplotlib as well: resources.arcgis.com/en/help/install-guides/arcgis-desktop/10.1/…
• ianbroad: Do you know if the same is true for when I installed the ArcGIS 10.1 SP1 Engine Background Geoprocessing? Will it also install into the same Python 2.7 I installed?
• blah238: If you are talking about the 64-bit Background Geoprocessing install, this will install another, separate 64-bit version of Python.
• shiny: Thanks for your answer. But what if I installed Python 2.7.6 after I had installed ArcGIS 10.1? I keep getting many errors in ArcMap because of this. Any solution to my problem would be much appreciated

Answer 2

I am not sure if this will work, but you can try creating a new text file named Desktop10.1.pth with the following content in your ActivePython installation's Lib\site-packages folder:

C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.1\bin
C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.1\arcpy
C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.1\ArcToolbox\Scripts

(Assuming a standard installation on a 64-bit OS).

There may be more plumbing required which is why I would say to just let ArcGIS do its thing...