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Getting Started with FME Desktop


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What's New in FME Desktop?

n Explore What's New and Great

What's New in FME Desktop?

ii Getting Started with FME Desktop
http://www.safe.com/highlight/fme2014/


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FME Desktop Help Map

Installed product documentation is available from any FME component Helpmenu, or in the FME installation directory > help.

FME Desktop documentation includes:

Documentation Description

FME Workbench This is the primary FME Desktop application fortranslating and transforming data.

FME Data Inspector View data in any FME-supported format. Use theData Inspector to preview data before trans-lation, verify it after translation, and check dataat any point during a translation.

FME Readers and Writers This is a technical reference to the 300+ spatialand non-spatial data formats that FME Work-bench is capable of reading and writing. It alsoincludes format parameters that are visible inWorkbench.

FME Transformers This is a comprehensive reference to the 400+FME transformers. Transformers are used inFME Workbench to perform geometric and attrib-ute restructuring of features during a trans-lation.

FME Coordinate Systems This is a guide to associating coordinate systemswith features in FME Desktop.

FME Quick Translator A lightweight alternative to FME Workbench, theQuick Translator allows you to perform fast andeasy data conversions.

FME Integration Console This component allows you to integrate certainthird-party applications with FME Desktop.

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Quick Start

Setting up a Workspace

Adding Transformers

Detailed Transformer Help

Quick Start

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Download Transformer Quick-Reference

Click the link below to open a printable booklet in PDF format:

n FME Transformers Reference Guide

Note that you must have a PDF reader to open this file. You can get AdobeReader from here for free.

Getting Started with FME Desktop v
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.htmlhttp://cdn.safe.com/resources/fme/FME-Transformer-Reference-Guide.pdf


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Safe Software Inc. makes no warranty either expressed or implied, includ-ing, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitnessfor a particular purpose regarding these materials, and makes such mater-ials available solely on an as-is basis.

In no event shall Safe Software Inc. be liable to anyone for special, col-lateral, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with or arisingout of purchase or use of these materials. The sole and exclusive liability of Safe Software Inc., regardless of the form or action, shall not exceed thepurchase price of the materials described herein.

This manual describes the functionality and use of the software at the timeof publication. The software described herein, and the descriptions them-selves, are subject to change without notice.

Copyright

1994 2014 Safe Software Inc. All rights are reserved.

Revisions

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this document. SafeSoftware Inc. regrets any errors and omissions that may occur and wouldappreciate being informed of any errors found. Safe Software Inc. will cor-

rect any such errors and omissions in a subsequent version, as feasible.Please contact us at:

Safe Software Inc.

Suite 2017, 7445 132nd Street

Surrey, BC

Canada

V3W 1J8

www.safe.com

Safe Software Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors in this doc-ument or their consequences, and reserves the right to make improve-

ments and changes to this document without notice.


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Trademarks

FME is a registered trademark of Safe Software Inc.All brands and their product names mentioned herein may be trademarks orregistered trademarks of their respective holders and should be noted assuch.

Document Information

Document Name: Getting Started with FME DesktopVersion: FME Desktop 2014Updated: January 2014

Getting Started with FME Desktop vii


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Version Information

FME Desktop 2014 is Version 7.8 of the FME software.

As of 2013, the version number for FME software will be indicated in theProperties dialog box of the fme.dll :

File Version:

...


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Version Information

Contents

What's New in FME Desktop? ii

FME Desktop Help Map iii

Quick Start iv

Download Transformer Quick-Reference v

Version Information viii

About Safe Software and FME 1

About this Manual 2Installation and Li censing 4What Makes FME Unique? 5Primary FME Components 6

FME Workbench 6FME Data Inspector 6FME Qui ck Translator 7FME Command-Line Engine 8

Other FME Components 9FME Universal Viewer 9FME Objects 10FME Applicat ion Extenders 10FME Plug-In SDK 10FME Integ ration SDK 10

Help and Tutorial s 11FME Deskt op Training 11Hel p Files 11

FME Communit y 12FMEpe dia Community and Knowledge Base 12

Starting FME Workbench 13

What is a workspace? 15Workbench User Interface 16

Canvas 16Navigator 17Transformer Gallery 19Menu Bar and Toolbar 21Overview 22Log 22

Additional Viewing Options 23About the Reader and Writer Gallery 25

Format Information 25

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Custom Formats 26

Format Details FME Readers and Writers Manual 26Understanding Workbench Concepts 27

Data Transformation Types 28Transforming Structure 28Transforming Content 28Geometric Transformation 28Attribute Transformation 28

Schema Definition 30How Does FME Represent the Schema? 30Viewing the Schema in FME Workbench 31Editing Schema 35

Schema Mapping 39Feature Type and Attribute Mapping 39Schema Map ping in FME Workbench 40Feature Typ e Mapping in FME Workbench 40Attribute Mapp ing in FME Workbench 41

Features 42Using Transformers 43

Creating a Workspace 45

Refining the Reader and Writer 49Defining Writer Characterist ics 50

Using the Default Coordi nate System 51Changing Coordinate System Parameters 52Adding Transformers 53

Locating Tr ansformers 53Placing a Transfo rmer 54Transformer Port s 55Quick Add 55Quick Con nect 57

Smart Delet e 58Multiple Transformers 59About Transformer Parameters 59Custo m Transformers 62

Detailed Tran sformer Help 63Transformers Refe rence Guide 63

Creating a Cu stom Format 64Organizing the Wor kspace 65

Using Bookm arks 65Creating Ann otations 66


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Version Information

Running the Translation 69

Using the Feature Count Display 69Running a Batch Translation 71For More Information 72

Workbench Keyboard Shortcuts 72

Using the FME Data Inspector 73

For More Information 74Starting FME Data Inspector 75

FME Data Inspector Viewer Interface 76Menu Commands, Tools, and Shortcuts 77Log Window 83

Viewing Data 84View Modes 84Adding Datasets 84Filtering Feature Display 85Using_the_Measuring_Tool 86

Querying F eatures 87Querying Raster and Point Cloud Features 89

Saving Data 91

Using FME Quick Translator 93

Specifyi ng the Reader 94Merging Simila r Datasets 94

Reader Parameters 95Converting Coordinate Syst ems 96Choosing from the Coordinate System Gallery 97

Viewing the Read er Dataset 98Entering W riter Information 99

Writer Param eters 99Choosing a Mappin g File 101Deciding on the Next Step 102

Switching to F ME Workbench 102Perform ing a Basic Translation 102Running the Translation 103

Running a B atch Translation 103Stopping a Trans lation 103Saving Log Text 104Copying and Se arching Log Text Information 104

Viewing the Output File 105

For More Information 106

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About Safe Software and FME

One of the most compelling questions for organizations today is the questionof where? Using spatial data, business leaders, managers, and spatial dataexperts can all get more information and better answers to drive more accur-ate decision making and planning.

The next most compelling question is often: How do we use this data? Theenormously diverse range of spatial data formats and evolving standardsoften means that interoperability can become a big challenge.

At Safe Software, were dedicated to making sure that FME will always helpyou do the most with your spatial data.

Built by experts from every corner of the industry, the FME technology plat-form sets a higher standard for transforming spatial data to use and share. Itsolves more spatial data transformation challenges across more formatsthan any other solution, making it easier for professionals to solve their datainteroperability problems.

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About this Manual

When you are working with FME Desktop, what you can do with the res-ulting data is almost unlimited every user can have a different require-ment, depending on the task, the source data, and the type of transformation.

For that reason, this Getting Started manual covers only basic concepts andworkspace setup.

For intermediate or advanced Workbench examples, it is recommendedthat you download and work through the FME Tutorial , available on our web-site at www.safe.com. The FME Tutorial includes sample data and a work-book. Taking an FME Training course is also highly recommended.

FME components contain detailed on-line help, available from each Helpmenu. Help is also available from the main FME Desktop Help window,which is a comprehensive viewer containing both technical documents anduser documents.


FME Workbench This is the primary FME Desktop application for

translating and transforming data.


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About this Manual


FME Data Inspector View data in any FME-supported format. Usethe Data Inspector to preview data beforetranslation, verify it after translation, andcheck data at any point during a translation.

FME Readers and Writers This is a technical reference to the 300+ spatialand non-spatial data formats that FME Work-bench is capable of reading and writing. It also

includes format parameters that are visible inWorkbench.

FME Transformers This is a comprehensive reference to the 400+FME transformers. Transformers are used inFME Workbench to perform geometric andattribute restructuring of features during a

translation.FME Coordinate Systems This is a guide to associating coordinate sys-

tems with features in FME Desktop.

FME Quick Translator A lightweight alternative to FME Workbench,the Quick Translator allows you to perform fastand easy data conversions.

FME Integration Console This component allows you to integrate certainthird-party applications with FME Desktop.



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Installation and Licensing

Instructions for installing and licensing FME are available in the FME Install-ation and Licensing Manual .


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What Makes FME Unique?

What Makes FME Unique?

FME provides unrivalled format support for data translation and integration,and unlimited flexibility in data model transformation and distribution.

Format Support

FME is a central engine in the midst of over 200 formats. You can read fromany supported format and write to any supported format.

Data ModelFMEs data model is designed to cover all possible geometry and attributetypes. You can accurately restructure the schema of your data as it movesfrom the source to the destination, without losing semantic information.

FME is also smart enough to compensate automatically for limitations in adestination format to create a seamless translation process whenever pos-sible.

Translate, Transform, Integrate

FME has what traditional format translators lack: the ability to also trans-form the data. You can work with an entire dataset or isolate specific featuretypes or attributes, and then add transformers to manipulate the data so you

get the output that you want.FME includes a gallery of over 400 powerful transformers that provide tre-mendous functionality.



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Primary FME Components

FME WorkbenchFME Workbench has an intuitive point-and-click graphic interface thatenables you to visualize the data flow. FME Workbench is the primary toolfor data translations in FME.

FME Workbench offers powerful transformation and translation capabilitiestraditionally reserved for custom software solutions. Using Workbench, you

can graphically adjust the way your data flows from its source to the des-tination.

If you want to add customizations or detailed transformations, includingthose that require multiple input and output formats, FME Workbench is thebest tool.

FME Data Inspector

The FME Data Inspector maintains many of the same features as the FMEUniversal Viewer; however, the Data Inspector is cross-platform, it usesthe latest display technology, and it supports 3D viewing.




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Primary FME Components

You can choose whether to use the FME Universal Viewer or the FME DataInspector. Choose Tools > FME Options and click the Workbench icon.

FME Quick Translator

For simple translations that do not involve any customization, you can getquick results by using the FME Quick Translator. Advanced FME users can

also run custom mapping files through this interface.

FME Quick Translator (originally called the FME Universal Translator) wasthe first FME application to be developed.

Translations are defined through a scripting language rather than a graphicinterface. For this reason, the Quick Translator is largely superseded by FMEWorkbench; however, as its name suggests, it is good to use for quick,format-to-format translations



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FME Command-Line Engine

The FME Command-Line Engine lets you submit translation requests at thecommand-line level.

Type fme at the command line to see a list of available commands. The FME Fundamentals manual contains more detailed information on using FMEfrom the command line.



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Other FME Components

Other FME Components

These additional components are all included as part of the standard FMEpackage.

FME Universal Viewer

Note that the default inspection application is the FME Data Inspector.The FME Universal Viewer will eventually be removed from FME.

FME Universal Viewer allows quick viewing of data in any of the FME-sup-ported formats. It is used primarily for data validation and quality assuranceby allowing you to preview the data before translation, or review it aftertranslation.


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FME Objects

FME Objects is a software library for working with spatial data. Applicationdevelopers use FME Objects to add spatial data reading and writing supportto their stand-alone applications.

FME Application Extenders

FME Application Extenders are components by which FME technology isused or embedded into other GIS applications. These are then known as

FME Enabled Applications. Commonly Application Extenders enable a GISproduct to view datasets not native to that application.

FME Plug-In SDK

The FME Plug-In SDK allows developers to add their own formats or func-tionality to the FME translation core.

FME Integration SDK

The FME Integration SDK allows developers to create FME-enabled applic-ations for users who already have FME installed on the same PC.



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Help and Tutorials

Help and Tutorials

In-depth technical reference documentation is integrated with FME Desktophelp files, is included with your FME installation, and located at www.safe.-com/support/onlinelearning .

The FME Desktop Tutorial is an ideal way to start using FME. It includesinstructions and examples to help you accomplish the following tasks:

n Quick Translation Perform simple data translations with the FMEQuick Translator.

n Custom Translation Transform data with FME Workbench, and createCustom Formats from existing transformations.

n Data Inspection View and query data in the F ME Data Inspector.

Look for the FME Desktop Tutorial at http://fmepe-

dia.safe.com/knowledgeDocumentation .

The FME Self-Study Modules are designed to help you improve your pro-ficiency with FME at a pace that suits your schedule. The FME self-study mod-ules help you build the FME skills you need to solve your data integrationchallenges. For more information, visit www.safe.-com/support/onlinelearning .

FME Desktop Training

Safe Software provides courses and resources for both FME Desktop andFME Server, offered at a range of s kill levels. You can choose how you wantto learn: in-person, on-line instruct or-led, or with self-paced resources liketutorials and demos.

To access these resources, visit http://www.safe.com/training/.Help Files

Select FME Workbe nch from the Help men u or visit http://fmepe-dia.safe.com/knowledgeDocumentation .


http://www.safe.com/support/onlinelearninghttp://www.safe.com/support/onlinelearninghttp://fmepedia.safe.com/knowledgeDocumentationhttp://fmepedia.safe.com/knowledgeDocumentationhttp://www.safe.com/support/onlinelearninghttp://www.safe.com/support/onlinelearninghttp://www.safe.com/training/http://www.safe.com/training/http://fmepedia.safe.com/knowledgeDocumentationhttp://www.safe.com/training/http://www.safe.com/support/onlinelearninghttp://fmepedia.safe.com/knowledgeDocumentationhttp://www.safe.com/support/onlinelearning


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FME Community

Our online community consists of an enthusiastic group of users and SafeSoftware staff who participate in various online resources. These technicalresources are a forum where FME users ask questions, receive help, andexchange information on FME products. We welcome and encourage ques-tions about FME formats, processing capabilities, future plans, doc-umentation, FME Objects, mapping files, and coordinate conversion issues.

FMEpedia Community and Knowledge BaseAsk questions and share advice at the new question and answer site forFME users: FME Community Answers .

FMEpedia Knowledge Base contains informative resources and toolsdesigned to help you optimize your use of FME Desktop and FME Server.


http://fmepedia.safe.com/knowledgeoverviewhttp://fmepedia.safe.com/answerssearch


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Starting FME Workbench

You can start FME Workbench in the following ways.

To start Workbench as a stand-alone application do one of the following:

n From your desktop, click the Workbench shortcut .

n From the Windows Start menu, select All Programs > FME Desktop >FME Workbench.

n Use Windows Explorer find the FME folder (by default, in the ProgramFiles folder) and double-click the Workbench icon.

If you start Workbench using the preceding options, the Workbench start-upwindow opens. From here, you can choose a number of different start-upoptions.

To start Workbench from Windows Explorer using existing Workbench(.fmw) files do one of the following:

n Double-click a Workbench file.

n Right-click the file and select Edit with FME Workbench from the com-mand menu.

n Right-click the file, and select Open With > FME Workbench from thecommand menu.

n Drag and drop the .fmw file onto a shortcut pointing to Workbench.

Workbench starts up and opens the existing workspace.

To start Workbench using an existing file (other than .fmw) as inputdata :

n Right-click a file that does not have the .fmw extension. The file can bein any format that your FME license supports. Select Transform withFME Workbench from the command menu.




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n You can also drag and drop the file onto a shortcut pointing to Work-bench. Workbench automatically extracts the filename and type for

your source data.

Workbench starts and opens the New Workspace dialog with the sourceinformation already filled in.

You might also be interested in:

What is a workspace?

Workbench User Interface

About the Reader and Writer Gallery

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A workflow that is defined in Workbench is called a workspace. Workspacescontain readers and writers (which contain format information) and theirattributes, as well as transformers that manipulate the data. You can workwith only one workspace at a time; however, you can start an additional FMEWorkbench and copy and paste information to your current workspace.

Workspace files have the extension .fmw . For a default workspace name

(which you can always change), FME suggests a filename based on theformats used in the workspace. For example, if your workspace is set up toread from an Esri Shapefile and write to both an Access MDB file andAutoCAD drawing, then shape2mdb_dwg.fmw would be the suggested defaultname.




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The Workbench user interface consists of different work areas, or windows.You can choose which areas are shown by selecting them from the Viewmenu. You can also click and drag the title bar of a window to dock it in adifferent location, or drag it to a separate area of your monitor, and youcan distribute the windows across multiple monitors.

Legend

1 Menu bar and toolbar 5 Log2 Navigator 6 Help tab3 Canvas 7 Status bar4 Transformer Gallery (notdefault location)

Canvas

The canvas is where you graphically define the workflow. By default, theworkflow reads from left to right: the data source is on the left, the trans-

formation tools are in the center, and the data destination is on the right.




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Connections between each item represent the flow of data and may branch indifferent directions or even lead to a dead-end if required.

Navigator

The Navigator is an Explorer-type tool that shows a text definition of all thecomponents that comprise the workspace, including data, feature types,transformers, and specific parameters. You can edit most definitions.

The Navigator also highlights anything that needs attention, such as trans-

former parameters that require input before you can run the workspace.



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such as save date and build. Most of these properties are optional but can beuseful if you want to maintain a workspace history.

Workspace Parameters include settings related to more advanced tasks,

such as log file name, parameter settings, and source and destination redir-ect instructions. These are described in the Workbench help topic WorkspaceNavigator > Workspace Parameters.

Transformer Gallery

In FME Workbench, source and destination data is represented by objects inthe workflow. In the same way, both geometric and attribute restructuringare represented by objects called Transformers . The Transformer Gallerystores all transformers.



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This tab is enabled in the Workbench interface by default. You can toggle iton/off by selecting View > Windows > Transformer Gallery.

Displaying Transformer Help

Open a folder and click a transformer to view a description of its function.This description is displayed in the Transformer Description area of the Work-bench interface.

To show the entire Transformer help file, choose Help > FME Transformers,or select a transformer in your workspace and press the F1 key.

Adding a Transformer to the Canvas

To include a transformer on the canvas, you can drag-and-drop it, double-click the transformer name, or, once you are more familiar with transformernames, you can also use the function described in Quick Add .

You can find detailed information on each transformer by selecting Help >FME Transformers, or by pressing the F1 key when you select a transformerin Workbench. The FME Workbench Transformers Reference Guide is a goodresource that provides high-level information about each transformer.

Note: FME Professional Edition contains more transformersthan FME Base Edition. For details, visit the Products page at www.safe.com. Any transformers that are not supported by your FME license will appear as gray icons in the Trans-former Gallery.

For more information, see Locating Transformers .

Menu Bar and Toolbar

The menu bar an d toolbar contain a number of shortcuts; for example, youcan use tools to navigate the workspace, control administrative tasks, andadd readers and writers.




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In general, the pull-down menus on the menu bar contain commands thataffect the entire workspace, whereas individual command menus within the

graphical interface (shown by right-clicking your selection) are applicableto separate workspace components.

You can customize the toolbar to include specific buttons. Right-click in ablank area of the toolbar and select Customize Toolbar, or select Tools >FME Options and click the Toolbar icon.

To see what a tool does without actually selecting it, float your cursor overthe button to view a short description (tooltip) of its function.

Overview

The Overview window (View > Windows > Overview) shows a view of theentire workspace and highlights a selected portion of the canvas. It is notmeant to show detail; however, it can help orient you when you are work-

ing in a large workspace. You can move and resize the magnifier to focuson certain areas of a workspace.

The example here shows an Overview window that has been docked under-neath the Workbench main window. The magnifier shows the area in detailabove.

Log

When you run a translation the Log shows statistics and processing inform-

ation that includes the following:




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n FME version

n reader being used

n writer being used

n logging information

n warning messages

n command line information, including published parameters

Information messages are shown until the translation is complete.

In the event of an error message or unexpected output, you can analyze theworkspace to find which error has been introduced into the workflow defin-ition. The log window is the most important place to look for information if atranslation does not complete as you expected.

You can search for text in the log window, copy selected contents of the win-dow directly to another application, or save the contents to a text file.

By default, the log is overwritten each time a translation is run. You can con-figure FME Workbench to append successive translations to the log file. Onthe menu bar, select Tools > FME Options. Under Runtime, check Append tolog file.

Additional Viewing Options

To see all available viewing options for the Workbench interface, select View> Windows:




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You can select any window pane to toggle it on or off in the Workbenchinterface.

The status bar below the canvas displays progress information and tooltips.



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Column Definition

Coordinate System Indicates whether a custom coordinate system is

associated with the formatLicensed Some formats require that you obtain special licens-

ing, or specific versions of FME. This column indic-ates whether your FME is licensed to read/write theformat

Search field Enter a keyword or a partial text string to filter res-

ults.Custom Formats but-tons

n Create a new format using the Custom Formatwizard.

n Import a custom format and add it to the gal-lery.

n Edit an existing custom format.

Close Close the gallery.

Details Click on a format, then click Details to display thetechnical documentation for the format.

Some formats (for example, custom formats) arepreceded by an icon. For information, select the

format and click the Details button.Custom Formats

The Custom Formats area of the Reader and Writer Gallery contains but-tons for adding, importing, editing, and removing custom formats. This isconsidered an advanced FME task.

For information, see Custom Formats in the Workbench help file.Format Details FME Readers and Writers Manual

To view detailed technical information about a format, select a formatname in the list and click the Details button. This opens the applicableformat chapter in the FME Readers and Writers manual.



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Understanding Workbench Concepts

Although FME can easily move data from one format to another, it is muchmore than just a translator.

Data transformation is FME's ability to restructure data through the use of transformers. One of the key features is that the transformation auto-matically takes place between the reading (extract) and writing (load) of data. By combining transformers in interesting ways, you can resolve a vari-ety of translation and transformation challenges.

For users who are familiar with FME, transformers are best described aspackages around FME functions and factories, which are documented in theFME Functions and Factories manual). In fact, most transformers include areference to a related function or factory. Just like functions and factories,some transformers add attributes to features, others erase attributes, andstill others operate on the geometry. Transformers may operate on indi-vidual features one at a time or on groups of features.

When the output from the Reader feature type or a transformer is connectedto another transformer, Workbench makes an implicit connection betweenall attributes that have the same name. If necessary, Workbench auto-matically assigns attributes to transformers based on both the transformeritself (usually one specific attribute like count or length, for example) andthen appends the attributes contained in the input connection.



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Schema Definition

A schema (or data model) is the structure of a dataset or, more accurately,a formal definition of a dataset's structure.

Each dataset has its own unique structure (schema) that includes featuretypes, permitted geometries, user-defined attributes, and other rules thatdefine or restrict its content. A schema is a physical representation of thedata.

How Does FME Represent the Schema?When you create a new workspace, FME reads the source dataset and cre-ates a workspace definition of the schema. Usually, FME also creates aplaceholder for the destination schema; that is, a definition of the structureof the destination dataset.

The example below shows the source and destination schema as theyappear in Workbench. Source data is on the left and destination data is onthe right. Each item is a separate feature type, so the example shows oneReader feature type and one Writer feature type. Each feature type has aset of attributes.

Connections between each item represent the flow of data. These con-nections can branch in different directions, or even lead to a dead-end. Youwill see a similar view to the one shown here after you generate the initialworkspace and before you add any customizations like new attributes ortransformers:


Schema Definition


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A new workspace usually has identical reader and writer feature types; how-ever, this is not always possible, particularly when the reader and writer

formats are different.In these circumstances, FME attempts to compensate for any differencesbetween reader and writer feature types. For example, attribute names maybe shortened to compensate for formats that do not support attribute namesover a certain number of characters.

Viewing the Schema in FME Workbench

A schema is made up of many components. Some of these relate to a data-set as a whole; for example, feature types belonging to a dataset areregarded as part of the overall schema and are depicted in the Workbenchcanvas.

However, some parts of the schema relate specifically to a single feature

type only. Attributes are one such component. These components are shownin the Properties dialog of a feature type. Click the Properties button on thefeature type to open the dialog.

Feature Type Properties

The Feature Type Properties dialog contains detailed information about thefeature type.




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The General Tab shows the name of the feature type and permitted geo-metry types.

Clicking displays the feature representation help topic for the applic-able format.

Merge Feature Type is useful when you have files that contain numerouslayers, you have similar source schemas, and you want to merge all sim-ilar feature types for further processing, based on a matching pattern.


Schema Definition


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The User Attributes tab shows a list of attributes present on the featuretype. Each attribute is defined by its exposure in Workbench, name, datatype, width, number of decimal places (precision), and if it is indexed in thedataset.

This example shows a reader feature type, therefore, the attributes aregreyed out and not editable.

Note, however, that there is an option in Workbench that allows you to editsome reader feature type properties (suitable mainly for testing purposes).For information, see Editing Reader Feature Type Properties in the Work-

bench help file.The attributes on a destination dataset can be edited to create the requiredoutput.




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The Format Attributes tab exposes, or makes visible, built-in FME attrib-utes.

This area allows you to connect other attributes to these special, format-

specific attributes.

For detailed information, look at the application chapter for the writerbeing used in the FME Readers and Writers manual.


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The Format Parameters tab lets you set additional parameters for cre-ating a feature type in the dataset to which you are writing. Some formats(usually a database format) require these additional parameters be specifiedbefore they can be created in a target system. Most formats do not have thistab.

Editing Schema

The default schema that FME creates is suitable for a quick translation. When

you need to customize the output schema, you can use Workbench to makethe edits.

Schema editing is the process of altering the destination schema to cus-tomize the structure of the output data. For example, you can:

n rename an attribute

n

change an attribute type



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Schema Definition


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Open the Writer Feature Type Properties dialog and click the General tab.

Name Parameters: You can rename any feature type on the destinationschema. Click on the field to enter the new name.

General Parameters: Choose from the list of allowed geometries; forexample, you can change the allowed geometries from lines to points. Thisfield is disabled if the format permits all geometry types.

If the workspace contains more than one writer, you can switch a featuretype from one destination dataset to another. Click the drop-down list in theWriter field.

For database formats, you can enter a username to connect to the database.

Click to display format-specific technical reference information fromthe FME Readers and Writers manual.


Dynamic Properties: This advanced user setting configures writers to



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y p g guse Dynamic Properties. See the Workbench help topics About Dynamic

Workspaces and Adding a Reader as a Resource .


Schema Mapping

Schema Mapping


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pp g

Schema mapping is the means by which you transform a dataset's structure.

In FME Workbench, one side of the workspace shows the source schema(which already exists) and the other side shows the destination schema(which doesnt yet exist). Schema mapping is the process of connecting thesource schema (Reader feature type) to the destination schema (Writer fea-ture type) in a way that ensures the correct Reader feature types are sent tothe right Writer feature types and the correct source attributes are sent tothe correct destination attributes.

Feature Type and Attribute Mapping

Feature type mapping is the process of connecting Reader feature types toWriter feature types. Attribute mapping is the process of connecting Reader(source) attributes to Writer (destination) attributes.

In Workbench, feature type mapping connections are shown with a thick,black line. Attribute mapping connections are shown with a thinner, grayline.

Attribute mapping is sometimes implied rather than visualized and no con-nection is shown. The color of the port indicates the connection status, as fol-lows:

n Green indicates a connected attribute.

n Yellow indicates a source attribute that is not connected to a des-

tination

n Red indicates a destination attribute that is not connected to a source.

Attributes with the same name in Reader and Writer feature types are con-nected automatically. Note that attribute names are case-sensitive, soROADS is not the same as Roads or roads .


Schema Mapping in FME Workbench



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In most cases, FME automatically fills in basic schema mapping in a new

workspace. You can then edit the schema mapping as required.In Workbench's intuitive interface, feature type and attribute connectionsare made by pointing and clicking, or by dragging connecting lines betweenthese parts of the schema.

Feature Type Mapping in FME Workbench

Feature type mapping is established by clicking the output port of a readerfeature type and doing one of the following:

n Move the cursor to the input port of the writer feature type, and clickto make the connection.

1. Click the reader feature type port, then click the writer feature

type port.

2. Click the writer feature type port to connect automatically.Quick Connect also lets you quickly connect to multiple ports byholding down the Ctrl key and clicking the ports you want toconnect.

n Drag the arrowhead across to the input port of a writer feature typeand release the mouse button.


Schema Mapping

A connecting line from Reader to the Writer feature type is being cre-


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ated by dragging the arrowhead from the reader to the writer.

Attribute Mapping in FME Workbench

Attributes with the same names in both the Reader feature type and theWriter feature type are connected automatically.

If the attributes do not have the same name, you need to manually establishattribute mapping.

In this example, feature type mapping has already been established andattributes are being connected. As the connections are made, the arrow col-ors change from yellow and red to green.

To save time in this situation, you can use the AttributeCopier transformer.To see an example, click Help > FME Transformers. In the FME Transformershelp window, search for AttributeCopier.


Features



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A feature in FME is an individual item within the translation. Typically a GISor cartographic feature consists of a geometric representation plus a set of related attributes. FME is capable of restructuring either of these com-ponents.

A feature in FME is the fundamental (that is, smallest) unit of FME data.Features have a flexible, generic representation. In other words, they havea basic FME definition that is unrelated to their parent format.

Using FME, you can process data during a translation to produce a des-tination dataset that is greater than the sum of its source components.


Using Transformers

Using Transformers


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Just as source and destination data are represented by objects on the Work-bench canvas, the tools used for geometric and attribute restructuring aredepicted by objects called Transformers.

For more details on using Transformers in Workbench, see Adding Trans-formers .

Note that not all Workbench transformers are available in FME Base Edition.

For details, see the Transformer section of our website or view the Work-bench help.



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Creating a WorkspaceThe previous sections covered Workbench navigation, and basic terminologyand concepts. This section shows you how to set up and run a basic work-space.

There are several ways to create a new workspace:

n

Create a blank workspace so you can add readers, writers, and trans-formers directly on the canvas.

n Generate a workspace by entering information in a dialog box.

n Generate a workspace using a wizard to fill in the workspace ele-ments.

n

Start with a template.For the purposes of this chapter, you can start with the Workspace dialog.

n Start Workbench.

n Select File > New, and click Generate Workspace. You can also clickGenerate Workspace from the Start tab.



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n You can also enter a name and location for the destination data,although FME will create the workspace without this information. You

Creating a Workspace


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will be prompted again to enter the information before you actuallyrun the workspace.

Click OK to generate the new workspace.

The Translation Log shows statistics and processing information. If youclose the Log, you can see a subset of logging information in Workbenchsstatus bar.

When you save your workspace, the default workspace name mirrors theformats you are translating (for example, shape2dwg.fmw .) You may wantto use a more specific filename.

Initially, you see the Reader feature types and a representation of theWriter feature types.

In this example, Workbench has established the connections automaticallybecause the feature type and attribute names are the same.

This was described in "Schema Mapping" on page 39 .



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Using the Default Coordinate System

Using the Default Coordinate System

Each feature that is processed by FME is coordinate-system aware, which


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Each feature that is processed by FME is coordinate system aware, which

helps prevent confusion when reading multiple datasets belonging to dif-ferent coordinate systems.

Each reader and writer in FME is assigned a default coordinate system. Thiscoordinate system is shown in the Navigator.

For formats that know their coordinate system, the Coordinate System forthe source dataset shows Same as source and FME reads the coordinatesystem from the source dataset. For most other input sources, the fieldshows , which means that FME uses default values or reads thecoordinate system from the source data.

You can explicitly set the source coordinate system (which overrides anycoordinate system read from the source), but, in most cases, you do notneed to change the default parameter.

When the destination coordinate system is also marked (as shownin the above example), FME does not reproject the data, but writes it usingthe same coordinate system as the source data.



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Adding Transformers

Adding Transformers

Just as readers and writers are represented by objects on the Workbench


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canvas, the tools used for geometric and attribute restructuring are rep-resented by objects called Transformers. An introduction to transformerswas given in the section Transformer Gallery .

Two basic rules for transformers are:

n You can use the output from one transformer as the input to another.

n You can send the output from one transformer to more than one des-tination.

This section describes the different methods used to locate, add, and placetransformers. If you know which transformer you need, see Quick Add . Thisis the fastest w ay to include tr ansformers in your workspace.

Locating Transformers

Placing a Transformer

Transformer Ports

Locating Transformers

Finding the ri ght transformer for the task at hand can be challenging; how-

ever, there a re a number of different resources that can help you narrowdown your choices.

The Transformer Gallery is organized into different folders depending oneach transformers function category, or by transformer name, under the Allfolder.



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Adding Transformers


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A LineOnAreaOverlayer transformer has been placed and connected in theworkspace.

Transformer Ports

A transformer can have multiple input ports, multiple output ports, or both.

Quick Add

After you have worked with FME and you are a little more familiar with Trans-formers, Quick Add is the easiest and fastest way to add transformers toyour workspace. Quick Add is a search bar that is embedded in the work-space canvas.

n On the menu bar, click Tools > FME Options, and then click the Trans-formers icon. Make sure that Auto connect after Quick Add ischecked.

n Click on a blank area of the canvas and type any letter. For this

example, lets say you want to add an AreaBuilder transformer. Starttyping the letters "ar..". As you begin to type, the Quick Add drop-down menu appears on your canvas. As you continue to type more let-ters, the menu will change depending on the matches in the Trans-former Gallery. In this example, FME finds a number of matches basedon the letters "area":


n Select the AreaBuilder, and the transformer is immediately placed onyour canvas.



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Select a feature type or another transformer before you initiate theQuick Add search and the transformer will automatically connect toyour selected object.

n Type the slash / character. Workbench will remember the last trans-former you added, and display it in the search bar. Press Return toadd it to the canvas. You can do this as many times that you want to

add the same transformer:

Inserting a Transformer into an Existing Link

You can insert a transformer into a link by holding it over an existing con-nection. When you release the transformer, it is set in place. FME thenmakes feature and attribute connections automatically. If either object hasmultiple input or output ports, you are prompted to choose which specificports to connect.

Make sure you turn on the Enable/Disable Drag and Insert Trans-

former feature. On the Workbench toolbar, click the tool . (If this tool

does not appear on the toolbar: Right-click and select Customize Toolbar.Scroll to the tool and drag it onto the toolbar.)

Drag the transformer over an existing link until the connection highlights inpink.


Adding Transformers


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Release the left mouse button and the transformer is placed and connected.Note that you may have to edit or check the transformer parameters beforeyou can run the workspace.

Quick Connect

Quick Connect is a fast way to connect different areas of a workspace simplyby clicking the ports. This method is ideal for complex workspaces. Make

sure to Enable Quick Connect in Tools > FME Options > Workbench.Click any port. The port is highlighted in orange until you click outside of theport area or on another port.


Click directly on the destination port and a link is created between the twoports.



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You can also connect one port to multiple ports. Click the first port and thenpress and hold the Ctrl key to complete multiple connects.

More Information

For detailed information, see the Workbench help topic Transformers >Quick Connect .

Smart Delete

If you delete a transformer from a workspace, FME will try to repair any

connections from the deleted transformer. For example, deleting the Joinertransformer below repairs the connections in the workflow, and reconnectsto the Inspector on the right:

Select the transformer and press the Delete key, or right-click andselect Delete from the command menu.

The repaired connections are highlighted. Clicking anywhere in theworkspace removes the highlight.



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For detailed information on all transformers, select Help > FME Trans-

formers


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formers .For help with individual transformers, you can also click the Help tab, loc-ated next to the Log tab. This tab displays help on any transformer you clickon in the Canvas, Navigator, or Transformer Gallery.

Transformers Reference Guide

You can download a printable, quick-reference guide (in Adobe

PDF format)from http://www.safe.com/support/onlinelearning/documentation.php .


Creating a Custom Format

When you create a Custom Format, you can define your readers, your work-

flow, and the format's schema, and you can use it like a standard FME



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, , ySource Format. This is useful if you consistently use the same informationin a workspace, and when you consistently perform the same processing ondatasets.

More Information

Select Workbench Help from the Help menu, and open the CustomFormats topic.


Organizing the Workspace


In this section:

n Using Bookmarks
http://using_bookmarks.htm/


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g

n Creating Annotations

Using Bookmarks

If you have a large workspace, it can be difficult to keep it organized. Book-marks help you define sections of a workspace. Bookmarks are particularlyuseful when youre working with large or detailed workspaces and you fre-quently refer to a certain area.

Click the book mark tool in the toolbar or select Insert > Bookmarkf rom the menu b ar. Selecting an area of the workspace (for example, a trans-former) before adding the bookmark ensures that the bookmark enclosesthe selected area.

When the bookmark appears in the workspace, the text field in the book-mark is highlighted so you can enter a new name as soon as the bookmarkappears. If the characters in your name exceed the width of the bookmark,the name is truncated.

Bookmarks are also added under the Bookmarks folder in the Navigator:

http://using_bookmarks.htm/http://using_bookmarks.htm/


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update if its attached object is changed. Summary annotations are useful forwizard-based transformers where checking transformer parameters can betime-consuming.

To create summary annotation for an object right-click it and select Show


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To create summary annotation for an object, right click it and select Show Summary Annotation .

A summary annotation is always colored blue to distinguish it from otherannotations. It is always connected to the item to which it relates and cannotbe detached.

Custom Annotation

You can add comments anywhere in the workspace: you can attach annota-tions to objects, or you can create stand-alone comments.

Click Insert > Annotation on the toolbar, or right-click on the canvas andselect Insert Annotation .

To attach an annotation to an object in the Workspace (feature type or trans-former), select the object, right-click and select Attach Annotation .


Annotation Options

Right-click on any annotation and view command menu options. You can

attach or move the annotation to any object or connection in the work-space, or detach it from its attached object.



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p , j

Attaching Default Annotations to Multiple Objects and Connections

The default annotation includes the name of the object (transformer, fea-ture type, etc.).

For connections, the default name reflects both the input and output inform-ation. For example, if you select a transformer connection, the name willreflect the input to the transformer, and the output from the transformer(PenColorSetter > AttributeCreator).

1. Select multiple objects or connections.

2. Right click and select Attach Annotation.

Annotations are added to the selected objects and connections. Objects willshow the object name as default string, and connections will show to as the default string.

Right-click on an annotation and select Follow Attached Object . You canmove an object anywhere on the workspace and the annotation willmove with it. If you uncheck this option (select it again to toggle it onand off), a leader line will stretch to follow an object, but the commentwill remain in its original location.

By default, annotations appear in front of the display and can overlayother parts of the workspace. To move annotations to the back of thedisplay, right-click on an annotation and select Send to Back . This also

works for feature types and transformers.


Running the Translation

Running the Translation

There are three options for running a translation:

Function Tool What it Does


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Run (or Resume) Runs the translation from start to finish, orresumes a translation after pausing.

Prompt and Run Runs the translation and prompts you toenter selected parameters (for example, youmay want to use different source data orchange a transformer parameter). For detailsabout this option, see Running a Workspacewith Parameters in the FME Workbenchhelp.

Run with inspection Runs the translation using the FeatureInspector, after you define an inspection

point. For details about this option, seeFeature Inspector in the FME Workbenchhelp.

No matter which option you choose, FME will begin the translation, and youllsee information in the Log window.

The amount of time the translation takes depends on different factors thatmay include the following:

n the processing power of the FME host machine

n the size of your data

n the amount of processing that FME has to do

After you run the translation (and unless you have redirected output to anInspector), the output is written to the location you specified in the WriterDataset field.

Using the Feature Count Display

The feature count display is an optional function, but it is one of the most use-ful testing and observation tools. It helps you analyze the results of a


workspace and provides a reference for debugging if the destination datadiffers from what was expected.

By default, the feature count display is turned off. Activate it by clicking theDisplay Feature Counts tool . If the tool is not shown on the toolbar,



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p y ,right-click on the toolbar and select Customize Toolbar. Scroll to the tooland drag it onto the toolbar.

When you use the Feature Count display, each connection is marked withthe number of features that passed along it, as shown here:

The feature counts above show that 26 features passed into the trans-former, with 1 feature passing the Tester criteria, and 25 features notpassing. The translation log confirms the number of features written.



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For More Information

For more detailed information about FME Workbench, select FME Work-

bench from the Help menu, work through the FME Desktop Tutorial , down-load the Self-Study Modules , or register for a hands-on training course



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taught by accredited professionals.

Workbench Keyboard Shortcuts

http://docs.safe.com/fme/pdf/FMEWorkbench_Keyboard_Shortcuts.pdf

http://docs.safe.com/fme/pdf/FMEWorkbench_Keyboard_Shortcuts.pdf


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This chapter gives a high-level overview of Data Inspector functions see

the FME Data Inspector Help files for detailed information.

Using the FME Data Inspector


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Starting FME Data Inspector

Starting FME Data Inspector

You can start the Data Inspector in the following ways.

To start the Data Inspector as a stand-alone application

Do one of the following:


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Do one of the following:

n From the Windows Start menu select All Programs > FME Desktop >FME Data Inspector.

n Using Windows Explorer browse to your FME installation folder and

click fmedatainspector.exe.

n Using Windows Explorer right-click a supported GIS or CAD file, andopen it using FME Data Inspector.

To start the Data Inspector from FME Workbench or FME QuickTranslator

The FME Data Inspector is the default inspection application, and it will openwhen you a run a translation using FME Quick Translator.

When using FME Workbench, the Data Inspector will open when you run atranslation under any of the following conditions:

n An Inspector transformer is connected to the workflow.

n Run Translation with Inspection is specified.n Redirect to Inspection Application (under the Writers menu) is

checked.


FME Data Inspector Viewer Interface

The following screenshot shows the different sections of the Data Inspector

interface:



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1. Menu bar and toolbar - Provides commands for performing a vari-ety of functions in the Data Inspector. For more information, seeMenu Commands, Tools and Shortcuts .

2. Display Control wind ow - Shows a list of open datasets and theirvarious feature types. These components are displayed as a



hierarchy of levels that can be turned on or off, from entire datasetsdown to individual feature types.

3. View window - The spatial display area. You can open multiple data-sets at the same time, and add datasets to an existing view.

4 F I f i i d Sh i f i b f


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4. Feature Information window - Shows information about a featurethat is queried in the View window, including feature type, attributes(both user and format attributes), coordinate system, and geometrydetails. For more information, see Querying Features .

5. Table View window - Displays feature data in tabular format.

6. Log window - Reports information related to the reading and showingof a dataset, which you can use to confirm that data was read cor-rectly. It shows statistics and processing information whenever youopen a dataset.

7. Status bar - Display s general info rmation on the status of the DataInspector. It shows which feature is being read when a dataset isopened, and indicates when the Data Inspector is drawing a dataset onscreen. It also indicates the coordinate location of the mouse as youmove across a dataset displayed in the View window.

Menu Commands, Tools, and Shortcuts

File

Command Keyboard

Shortcut Function

Open Dataset Ctrl+O Opens a file browser so you canpick a dataset.

Open Recent Displays a list of the most recentlyviewed files.

Add Dataset Ctrl+D Opens a file browser so you canadd a dataset to the current view.



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CommandKey-boardShortcut

Function

n Toolbar


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n Tab Bar

Table View

2D

3D

Ctrl+1

Ctrl+2

Ctrl+3

Toggle between table, two-dimen-sional and three-dimensional

views.

Refresh F5 Reload the data from the source.

The Data Inspector will close thedataset and re-read everything init from the source directory.

Any changes that have been madeto the source dataset since it wasopened in the Data Inspector willbe updated in the View Windowwhen the dataset is refreshed.

Note: Do not use the Refreshbutton when you are viewingdata routed directly fromFME Workbench.

Stop Esc Cancel the current dataset beingloaded.


Camera

Command

Keyboard/

MouseShortcut

Function



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Pan Mode Ctrl+N

Press andhold both theleft and rightmouse but-tons.

Move the camera view verticallyand horizontally. Click and dragthe pointer to pan the currentdataset.

Orbit Mode Ctrl+R

Hold downthe middlemouse but-ton.

Rotate a 3D image in the view

window to inspect it from manydifferent angles.

Note that this command is notavailable in 2D view mode.

Zoom In Mode Ctrl++

Hold downthe Shiftkey.

Moves the view closer, by incre-ments, or farther away, by incre-ments.

Tip: You can zoom in and out inthe View window without activ-ating the zoom tools by usingthe scroll wheel on your mouse.

The zoom tools are locationaware, in other words, theydraw the focus of the view towhere you click or to your



CommandKeyboard/MouseShortcut

Function

mouse location when using thescroll wheel to zoom.Zoom Out Mode Ctrl+-


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Hold down

the Ctrl key.Zoom to SelectedFeature

Ctrl+L Concentrates the view on theselected feature.

Zoom to Full Extent Ctrl+E Zooms the view to a distance so

that the data is visible andcentered in the window.

Tools

Command Keyboard

Shortcut Function

Select Ctrl+K Selects a feature, and displaysinformation in the Feature Inform-ation pane.

Select All Features withNo Geometry

Ctrl+G Selects all features that have nogeometry (for example, a data-

base record may consist entirelyof features that have an fme_typeof fme_no_geom).

Filter Features Opens the Filter Features dialogfor displaying only features thatsatisfy a set of filter conditions.


Command Keyboard

Shortcut Function

Measure Distances Ctrl+M Enables the measuring tool. Clickand drag between two points in theView Window to measure the dis-



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tance between them.

FME Options Opens the FME Options dialog forconfiguring optional DataInspector features, such as Back-ground Map.

Settings

CommandKey-boardShortcut

Function

Background Color Ctrl+B Opens a dialog for selecting a newbackground color in the View Win-dow.

Stereo Mode Off: Turns off any stereo effect,bringing the display image backto the original 2D default.

Anaglyphic: Gives the displayimage a stereoscopic 3D effectwhen viewed with glasses with ared left lens and a cyan right lens.

The display image will consist of two superimposed color layers off-set with respect to each other toproduce a depth effect.



Window

Command Keyboard

Shortcut Function

Views If more than one view is open, thisit h th f f th


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menu switches the focus of thetabs in the main window.

Log Window

The Log shows detailed information and statistics on the dataset.



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Viewing Data

Alternatively, drag and drop a dataset onto the View window.

The new dataset opens in the currently active view window and the addi-tional dataset name and features appear in the Display Control Panel.

Merging Similar Datasets

If you have several datasets that are the same format, but are in different


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y ,locations, you can add them all at the same time, then view them as a singlemerged dataset.

After selecting an initial source dataset in the Select Dataset to View dialog,

click the Advanced Browser button to show the selection dialog. Afterselecting files and/or directories in the Select File dialog, click OK.

The Data Inspector merges the specified datasets and appends the addeddatasets to the original.

Filtering Feature Display

In 2D or 3D view mode, you can apply a filter to a view to display only thefeatures you want. With the Filter Features tool, you can create expres-sionsfrom simple to highly complexto define your filtering criteria.

To Apply Filters

1. Click the Filter Features tool on the toolbar ,or select Tools > Fil-ter Features from the menu bar.

2. On the Filter Features dialog, check Enable Filters , and specify thefollowing:

n Pass Criteria - If your filter contains more than one testclause, this value determines how the data is filtered in

the final results, based on the results of each clause. Youcan specify OR, AND, or create your own expression froma composite of AND and OR operators.

n Test Clauses - The filter criteria expressions. The FilterFeature dialog provides a variety of operands for buildingexpressions, along with a set of functions you can perform

on feature attributes to further refine your expression.



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Querying Features

Click on the coordinates of a point listed in the geometry section, and thepoint is marked in the View Window with a red pin (or a blue dot, if in 3Dmode).


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If multiple features are selected, they are all highlighted in green in the ViewWindow and the feature whose information is currently displayed in theFeature Information Window will be highlighted in orange to allow it to standout from other selected features.

Querying Raster and Point Cloud FeaturesThe techniques for inspecting raster and point cloud datasets are slightly dif-ferent than those for inspecting vector datasets.

There are two ways to use the Query tool on a raster or point clouddataset: querying a cell or point, and querying a dataset itself.

Querying a Raster Dataset

A single click onto a raster dataset queries the cell under that click and pro-duces output in the Information Window.

Selecting an area of the raster dataset with a click and drag motion queriesthe dataset as a whole.

Querying a Point Cloud Dataset

Click on a point in the point cloud to show the Single Point Information. Thisincludes the ground location and other optional properties such as intensity,angle, number of returns, and scan direction.

Note: You must be in 3D view mode to select point cloud points.



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Saving Data

Saving Data

You can save data that you view in Data Inspector to a separate dataset,either in its original format, or to a different format.

Data Inspector provides the following options for saving data:

n Save Data As : Saves the current view as a separate dataset, includ-i ll i l d i l f i d i h h l d f


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ing all spatial and non-spatial features associated with the selected fea-ture types in the Display Control Window.

"Save Data As" is an alternative to using the FME Quick Translator.

n Save Selected Data As : Saves only the features you select, either inthe View Window or in the Table View, as a separate dataset.

When you save data that originates from multiple datasets, in the sameformat or different formats, it is merged into a single dataset of the specifieddestination format.

To Save the Current View to a Separate Dataset

1. In the Display Control Window, select the feature type(s) you want toinclude in the dataset.

2. Do one of the following:

n

Click the Save Data As button in the toolbar.n Under the File menu, select Save Data As .

n In the Display Control Window, right click on the View name, andselect Save Data As .

3. In the Save Data As dialog, specify a format and location for the data-

set, and any other applicable settings.4. Click OK. (If you decide to abort the translation while it is running,

click the Stop button on the toolbar.)

The results of the translation are displayed in the Log Window.



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Using FME Quick Translator

Use an automated translation whenever you want to move data from asource system to the destination system quickly and with minimal effort. Inmost cases, an automated translation produces exactly the results you need.


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Converting Coordinate Systems

For systems that know their coordinate system (such as MapInfo and DLG),the Coordinate System field in the dialog shows Read from Source, whichinstructs FME to read the coordinate system from the source dataset. Formost other input sources, the field shows Unknown, which means thatFME uses default values. In most cases, the default value is all youneed to perform the translation.



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If, however, you want to convert the coordinates of your data between aspecific source and destination Coordinate System, you can either enter thename of the source and destination Coordinate Systems or choose themfrom the Coordinate System Gallery, shown here.



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Entering Writer Information

Entering Writer Information

On the Set Translation Parameters dialog, enter or select the Writer Formatand Dataset. The Writer Dataset name may be a directory or a file, and mayalso be the same as the Reader Dataset name.

Note: If you enter an existing filename, the existing filewill be overwritten. Make sure you want to do this, becauseFME d t t b f iti th fil


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FME does not prompt you before overwriting the file.

Click OK to start the translation.

Writer Parameters

Some formats contain Writer Parameters, which let you specify additionalinformation specific to your selected format. When you select one of theseformats, the Parameters button becomes available.



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Note: Sometimes stopping a translation causes FME tocreate temporary files that can take up unnecessary disk space. Its a good idea to select Tools > Purge Temporary

Files (or press Alt + C) after you stop a translation.

Saving Log Text

You may find it useful to save a text file of statistics or other processinginformation from a translation run. Save the logged text by using the Save



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gg y g

button or by choosing Save As (Ctrl+S) from the File menu.

Enter a filename in the dialog that opens and click the Save button.

Copying and Searching Log Text Information

Note: You cannot paste text into the Quick Translator log,however, you can paste it into another application, such asa text editor.

To copy text and paste information to another location, select the text that

you want to copy, click the Copy button , open a text editor, and clickPaste or press Ctrl+V.

You can also copy information by doing any of the following:

n Select the Log menu and choose Copy.

n Press Ctrl+C.

n Right-click the text you want to copy and choose Copy.

To find for all instances of a search term, click the Search button . Typeyour term in the dialog that appears, and click Find. To locate the next

instance of the term in the Search results, click the Find Next button .


Viewing the Output File

Viewing the Output File

View the output file with the FME Data Inspector. If the application isntalready running, start it and open the output dataset.

More Information

See Using FME Data Inspector or the open the FME Data Inspector help.


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This chapter gives a high-level overview of Quick Translator functions seethe FME Quick Translator on-line help files for more detailed information.



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f me getting started

Documents