Introduction
This article is part 1 of a 4 part tutorial to help you get started with FME Desktop. We will cover how to create a translation in FME between different formats of data.
Downloads
Want a more hands on approach? Feel free to download and unzip the data (parks.zip file) attached to this article if you'd like to perform these steps yourself as we go along!
Source Data
The data used in this tutorial originates from open data made available by the City of Vancouver, British Columbia. It contains information licensed under the Open Government License - Vancouver.
Step-by-Step Instructions
To carry out the process described in the video, you need to carry out the following steps. Note that both the source dataset and a completed workspace are attached to this article.
1) Start FME Workbench
In Windows, this is found under Start > All Programs > FME Desktop > FME Workbench.
In iOS, open up Applications > FME Workbench.
Download the attached data, if you have not done so already, and unzip it.
2) Select Generate Workspace
This is found on the Start tab of the FME Workbench interface. Alternatively, use Ctrl+G as a shortcut.
If using iOS, click the dropdown list under File > Generate Workspace. Alternatively, use Shift + Command ⌘ + N as a shortcut.
3) Browse to and select the source (Reader) dataset
It is called Parks.tab. The format of the source data will be automatically detected by FME.
4) Set the output (Writer) format to GML (Geography Markup Language)
Do this by typing the name into the field until it appears within the dropdown list. Then hit the Enter key or click the highlighted list item.
5) Set the output dataset location
In the video, it is set to Downloads\Output\output.gml.
Your final Generate Workspace dialog should look like this (though your file paths may be different):
6) Click the Parameters button for the Writer and set new parameters
This step is optional, but highlights what can be done. For example, it is possible to set the GML version parameter to 3.1.1 and the axis order parameter to 1,2.
7) Click OK and OK again to close these dialogs
This will generate your workspace.
8) Click the Save button on the toolbar
The Save button can be located at the top of your workbench on the toolbar (the blue floppy disk). Save the workspace to a .fmw file of whatever name you like.
9) Click the Run button on the toolbar
The Run button can be located at the top of your workbench on the toolbar (the green arrow). This carries out the translation. You should see, ‘Translation was SUCCESSFUL’ at the bottom of your translation log. Once complete, locate the output using a file browser like Windows Explorer. You should see the new output.gml file.
Terminology Introduced
Workbench: An FME application for translating and transforming data
Workspace: A translation definition that can be run in FME Workbench
