Welcome to the FME Data Inspector

Transcription

1 Welcome to the FME Data Inspector FME Data Inspector is a Safe Software Technology Preview Safe Software is the world s leading supplier of spatial data translation software. We are focused on helping organizations enhance access to spatial data resources by providing software solutions that deliver seamless data format translation. Our software products are used worldwide by organizations that need to access and manipulate GIS and CAD data in multiple data formats. About the FME Data Inspector The FME Data Inspector is a Safe Software technology preview, intended to eventually replace the FME Universal Viewer. Although it maintains many of the same features as the FME Universal Viewer, the Data Inspector is cross-platform, it uses the latest display technology, and it supports 3D viewing. For this release, you have the option to use either application. To set the FME Data Inspector as your default Workbench data inspection application, go to Tools > FME Options > Workbench. Why the option? FME is used by a diverse group of worldwide users who work with countless different hardware and software configurations. Releasing the FME Data Inspector as a technology preview allows Safe Software to not only solicit feedback, but it also allows us to make sure that we get this feedback from the widest user base possible. We believe this will result in the best overall user experience when we fully debut the FME Data Inspector. Copyright and Trademark Information

2 Welcome to the FME Data Inspector FME Data Inspector is a Safe Software Technology Preview Safe Software is the world s leading supplier of spatial data translation software. We are focused on helping organizations enhance access to spatial data resources by providing software solutions that deliver seamless data format translation. Our software products are used worldwide by organizations that need to access and manipulate GIS and CAD data in multiple data formats. About the FME Data Inspector The FME Data Inspector is a Safe Software technology preview, intended to eventually replace the FME Universal Viewer. Although it maintains many of the same features as the FME Universal Viewer, the Data Inspector is cross-platform, it uses the latest display technology, and it supports 3D viewing. For this release, you have the option to use either application. To set the FME Data Inspector as your default Workbench data inspection application, go to Tools > FME Options > Workbench. Why the option? FME is used by a diverse group of worldwide users who work with countless different hardware and software configurations. Releasing the FME Data Inspector as a technology preview allows Safe Software to not only solicit feedback, but it also allows us to make sure that we get this feedback from the widest user base possible. We believe this will result in the best overall user experience when we fully debut the FME Data Inspector. Copyright and Trademark Information

3 About Help This help file contains information about the FME Data Inspector. For help with other FME components, start FME Workbench and click the Help menu. Getting Started Data Inspector Interface Training FME Tutorial, Self-Study Modules, and Training Courses Resources at FME Overview FME Demos FME User Central, an information site provided by Safe Software for the FME User Community Format Information and Technical Reference These files contain technical information and can be found in the FME Workbench Help menu. FME Readers and Writers: Detailed information on FME-supported formats. Note that most reader and writer directives correspond to Workbench parameters on the Navigation pane. FME Functions and Factories: Detailed technical information on functions and factories that correspond to Workbench transformers. FME Fundamentals: Detailed reference information on FME's fundamentals; that is, how FME processes data. If you want to write or customize you own mapping files, or just want to know how FME works, you can find detailed information on FME Architecture, Functions, Feature Factories, Interfaces, Transformation Process, Mapping File Syntax, and Configuration. To view this file, from the Workbench Help menu, choose FME Fundamentals Reference. Professional Services FME experts can help you with specific projects. Read about Safe Software's Professional Services.

4 About the FME Data Inspector The FME Data Inspector is a new application that has been created to eventually replace the FME Universal Viewer. It is expected to replicate the existing viewer functionality, but in an enhanced framework that gives vastly improved performance and 3D inspection tools. What is the Data Inspector? The FME Data Inspector is a utility that allows you to view data in any FME-supported format. It is used primarily to preview data before translation and to verify it after the translation. It can also be used to check data at any point during a translation; as you use FME, you'll find the Data Inspector is useful when setting up complex transformations because you can examine the output at each step. FME Workbench and the Data Inspector It is possible to change your Workbench settings so that it uses the FME Data Inspector rather than the FME Universal Viewer when it opens a dataset for visualization. To change the default Inspector application, open Workbench, then select FME Options from the Tools menu and click on the Workbench icon. You can choose between the Universal Viewer and the Data Inspector in the section Inspection Application. This change will affect all data sent to the Inspector by using the Inspector transformer when choosing Destination Data > Redirect to Inspector Application, and by right-clicking the source dataset in the Navigator and choosing Inspect from the menu. What can you inspect with the Data Inspector? You can inspect a number of different facets of spatial data including: 2D and 3D Geometry: Check whether the geometry types are correct and that the geometry is in the correct spatial location. Symbology: Is the color, size, and style of each feature correct? Attributes: Are all required attributes present? Data Format: Is the data in the expected format? Data Schema: Is the data subdivided into the correct layers, categories, or classes? Data Quantity: Does the data contain the correct number of features? Process Output: Has the translation process restructured the data as expected?

5 Data Inspector View Modes The FME Data Inspector can view both 2D and 3D data. When a dataset is selected for viewing, the Data Inspector detects whether there is data in two or three dimensions, and opens in the corresponding view mode. You can switch the current view mode by selecting View > 2D or 3D, by pressing either the 2D or 3D button on the toolbar, or by right-clicking the current view area and selecting 2D or 3D in the context menu. Note: Switching view modes may take time, particularly if the Data Inspector engine is required to perform extensive spatial indexing for 3D mode. 2D In 2D mode, the Data Inspector will always show the top view of a dataset. For example, a 3D block like this one will look like a simple rectangle when viewed in 2D. 3D 3D data viewing in the FME Data Inspector has support for the following: front and back texture mapping texture with alpha values (textures that are transparent in places)

6 Data Inspector Interface Every area of the FME Data Inspector interface has a name and serves a specific purpose. 1. Menu bar and toolbar 2. Display Control window 3. View window 4. Feature Information window 5. Log window 6. Status bar

7 Tip: You can "undock" display panes by clicking on a boundary and dragging it to another location (or by clicking the button). You can then "redock" the pane

8 in another location within the Data Inspector interface or leave it floating in a separate location.

9 View Window The View Window is the spatial display area of the FME Data Inspector. You can open multiple datasets at the same time, and add datasets to an existing view. Right-clicking inside the View Window brings up a context menu where you can change how the view is displayed. See also "Menu Commands, Tools, and Shortcuts" on page 13.

10 Display Control Window The Display Control Window shows a list of open datasets and their various feature types. These components are displayed as a hierarchy of levels that can be turned on or off, from entire datasets down to individual feature types.

11 Feature Information Window When you query a feature in the View Window, information about that feature is shown in the Feature Information Window. This information includes feature type, attributes (both user and format attributes), coordinate system, and geometry details. The Attributes column lists all FME, format, and user-defined attributes and values that are part of the currently selected feature. The Geometry column lists all geometric information for the currently selected feature. Note: For more information on the Feature Information Window, see Understanding the Feature Information Window.

12 Log Window The Log Window reports information related to the reading and showing of a dataset, which you can use to confirm that data was read correctly. It shows statistics and processing information whenever you open a dataset. You may find it useful to copy information from the Log File to a text file: place the cursor in the log window, right-click to display the context menu, and select Save As; or press Ctrl+S.

13 Status Bar The Status Bar displays general information on the status of the Data Inspector. It shows which feature is being read when a dataset is opened, and indicates when the Data Inspector is drawing a dataset on screen. It also indicates the coordinate location of the mouse as you move across a dataset displayed in the View window. Note: Ground position will not be displayed when the viewer is in 3D mode.

14 Menu Commands, Tools, and Shortcuts File Command Keyboard Shortcut Function Open Dataset Ctrl + O Opens a file browser so you can pick a dataset. Add Dataset Opens a file browser so you can add a dataset to the current view. Close Ctrl + F4 Closes the current view. Recent Files Displays a list of the most recently viewed files. Exit Ctrl+Q Shuts down the FME Data Inspector. View Command Toolbar Feature Information Log Display Control Tab bar 2D 3D Keyboard Shortcut Ctrl+2 Ctrl+3 Function Provides options to show or hide various parts of the user interface. Toggle between two-dimensional and three-dimensional views. See Data Inspector View Modes. Refresh F5 Reload the data from the source. The Data Inspector will close the dataset and re-read everything in it from the source directory. Any changes that have been made to the source dataset since it was opened in the Data Inspector will be updated in the View Window when the dataset is refreshed.

15 Command Keyboard Shortcut Function Note: Do not use the Refresh button when you are viewing data routed directly from FME Workbench. Stop Cancel the current dataset being loaded. Camera Command Pan Keyboard/ Mouse Shortcut Ctrl+N Function Orbit Zoom In Zoom Out Press and hold both the left and right mouse buttons. Ctrl+R Hold down the middle mouse button. Ctrl++ Hold down the Shift key. Move the camera view vertically and horizontally. Click and drag the pointer to pan the current dataset. Ctrl+- Hold down the Ctrl key. Rotate a 3D image in the view window to inspect it from many different angles. Note that this command is not available in 2D view mode. Moves the view closer, by increments, or farther away, by increments. Tip: You can zoom in and out in the View window without activating the zoom tools by using the scroll wheel on your mouse. The zoom tools are location aware, in other words, they draw the focus of the view to where you click or to your mouse location when using the scroll wheel to zoom. Zoom to Selected Feature Ctrl+L Concentrates the view on the selected feature. Zoom to Full Extent Ctrl+E Zooms the view to a distance so that the data is visible and centered in the win-

16 Command Keyboard/ Mouse Shortcut Function dow. Tools Command Keyboard Shortcut Function Select Ctrl+K Selects a feature, and displays information in the Feature Information pane. Select all features with no geometry Ctrl+G Selects all features that have no geometry (for example, a database record may consist entirely of features that have an fme_type of fme_no_geom). Settings Command Stereo Mode Keyboard Shortcut Function Off: Turns off any stereo effect, bringing the display image back to the original 2D default. Anaglyphic: Gives the display image a stereoscopic 3D effect when viewed with glasses with a red left lens and a cyan right lens. The display image will consist of two superimposed color layers offset with respect to each other to produce a depth effect. Window Command Views Keyboard Shortcut Function If more than one view is open, this menu switches the focus of the tabs in the main window.

17 Selecting a Format and Dataset to View The Data Inspector allows you to view data in any FME-supported format. The easiest way to view data is to start the FME Data Inspector and drag a file onto the main window. The Select Dataset to View dialog will appear with the Reader format and dataset fields already filled in. Click OK to load the data in the View window. Click the Open Dataset icon to View dialog. or select File > Open Dataset. This opens the Select Dataset Specify the format of the file you want to read by clicking the browse button to display the Reader Gallery. After you have viewed multiple datasets, the Format drop-down box will show the 10 most recently used formats. Once you have selected the desired format, you must specify the data file to view. Begin by clicking the Dataset Browse button [picture]. This will launch a file browser (notice that only files of your selected data format are visible). Browse to the appropriate data file(s) and click Open. Tip: FME can usually detect the format of a selected dataset. Therefore, it can be faster, especially if you aren't sure which format the dataset is in, to select the dataset first. Because the format field retains previously viewed formats, you should confirm that the format field is correct before you attempt to view the data. If the format does not match the dataset, the data will fail to load in the Data Inspector.

18 Adjusting Reader Parameters The Parameters button allows you to specify additional information required by certain source formats. When you select a format that permits additional settings, the Parameters button will become available. The Parameters box contains options specific to the format you selected. For detailed help with format parameters, click the help button in a parameters box, or press the F1 key. Note: If a format supports reader parameters, you do not necessarily have to change them - FME will simply use default values. In rare cases, you may be prompted by FME to open the parameters to confirm that these default values are appropriate.

19 Setting a Coordinate System In most cases, the Coord. System field indicates Read from source after you have chosen the format and dataset. This means that FME can detect both the source dataset and the coordinate system that is being used. However, in some cases (including if the Coord. System field reads "Unknown" or is blank), to dis- you may have to manually define the coordinate system. Click the browse button play the gallery: Recently-used coordinate systems are also saved in the Coordinate System drop-down menu. For more information on individual coordinate systems, select a name in the Coordinate System Gallery and click the Properties button.

20 Adding a Dataset The Add Dataset tool adds a dataset to a pre-existing viewing area. Click the icon or select File > Add Dataset. For assistance in filling in the Format and Dataset fields, see Selecting a Format. The new dataset will open in the currently active view window and the additional dataset name and features will appear in the Display Control Panel.

21 Merging Similar Datasets If you have several datasets that are the same format, but are in different locations, you can add them all at the same time, then view them as a single merged dataset. Click or select File > Open Dataset. Select an initial source dataset, then click the Advanced Browser button to show the selection dialog. Add Files: Select individual files to merge Add Directories: Browse for a specific folder. Check the Subdirectories box to also include all subfolders below that directory. All files that are in the specified format in those directories are included. Remove: Removes the highlighted selection. Identical Schema: Check the Identical Schema box if you know that all files have the same schema. If you check the box, then FME does not have to perform an initial scan of files to determine their schemas. Instead, FME takes the initial dataset as representative of the entire data model. Click OK to accept the selections and close the dialog. Note: The quickest way to select a large number of datasets within different folders is to select the parent folder and check the Subdirectories box to include datasets or feature types in all subfolders of the parent. The Data Inspector merges the specified datasets and appends the added datasets to the original. The Log Window displays detailed information. Filtering Feature Display You can apply a filter to a view to display only the features you want. With the Filter Features tool, you can create expressions from simple to highly complex to define your filtering criteria.

22 To Apply Filters 1. Click the Filter Features tool on the toolbar,or select Tools > Filter Features from the menu bar. 2. On the Filter Features dialog, check Enable Filters, and specify the following: 3. Click OK. Pass Criteria - If your filter contains more than one test clause, this value determines how the data is filtered in the final results, based on the results of each clause. You can specify OR, AND, or create your own expression from a composite of AND and OR operators. Test Clauses - The filter criteria expressions. The Filter Feature dialog provides a variety of operands for building expressions, along with a set of functions you can perform on feature attributes to further refine your expression. For a detailed description of the fields in the Filter Features dialog, see "Filter Features Dialog" on page 23. To Remove Filters 1. Click the Filter Features tool on the toolbar,or select Tools > Filter Features from the menu bar. 2. On the Filter Features dialog, uncheck Enable Filters. 3. Click OK. Example: Apply a Simple Filter In the following example applied on a dataset of city parks, a filter is created to prevent golf courses from being displayed in the Data Inspector. The filter tests the name_alt attribute of features in the city_parks feature type to determine if it contains the string "golf." If it does, the feature is filtered out and not displayed.

23 Example: Create a Filter from a Composite Expression The following filter is used to display only properties that are located in ZIP code 78752, and that are zoned for either single family residential (type=sf) or multi-family residential (type=mf) use.

24 See Also "Filter Features Dialog" on page 23 Filter Features Dialog Enable Filters When checked, the filter is applied to the Data Inspector view. When unchecked, the filter is not applied. Parameters Pass Criteria The Pass Criteria defines how multiple clauses are interpreted in the final classification of the incoming feature. You can choose one of three test scenarios: Scenario Pass Criteria Description One test is required for a feature to be classified as PASSED. All tests are required for a feature to be classified as PASSED. Create your own test expression. This is useful when you need fine-grained control over what you want the filter to evaluate. If you select this mode, a Composite Expression field appears. One Test (OR) All Tests (AND) Composite Test In this case, as long as one of the test clauses is true, then the feature is PASSED. This is an OR test (test1 OR test2 OR test3). If any one is true, then the result is true. This is stricter than One Test (OR) because all tests must pass in order for the result to be true (test1 AND test2 AND test3). If, for example, you want to check whether the value of an attribute is between 5 and 10, or equals 99, you can set up three test clauses: Clause 1 : x > 5 Clause 2 : x < 10 Clause 3 : x = 99 (where x is the selected attribute in the Left Value field): To correctly get the desired results, you require that clause 1 AND clause 2 be true (between 5 and 10), OR clause 3 is true (equals 99). In this case, choosing One Test or All Tests

25 Scenario Pass Criteria Description modes will not satisfy the test requirement. You can, however, choose Composite Test and enter the following expression in the Composite Expression field: ((1 AND 2) OR 3) The numbers above correspond to the test clauses defined in the 'Test Clauses' table. When read, the composite expression above states that 'Clause 1 AND Clause 2 must be satisfied, OR Clause 3 must be satisfied'. Composite Expression The expression to be used when the 'Pass Criteria' parameter is Composite Test. The expression can refer to a clause from the 'Test Clauses' table using that clause's row number. Test Clauses Values The Value columns (operands) may be a literal constant, the value of an attribute, a published parameter or a calculated value that is a combination of the above. If it is a calculated function, the function is executed on the current feature and the result is used for the test. Operators The Operator column is one of: =,!=, <, >, <=, >=, In, Between, Like, Matches Regex, Contains, Begins With, Ends With, Attribute Exists, Attribute Is Null, Attribute Is Empty. Unique operators are described in more detail here: Operator Description Example In Between Like Matches Regex (Advanced FME) A list of values in which you are testing for a certain value. The Right Value is a comma-delimited list of values, or a range. Whether a value is between a minimum and maximum. The Right Value consists of two comma-separated values. Allows you to use a wildcard query. Note that wildcard queries use the percentage symbol (%), not an asterisk (*). Does a value match a regular expression? X=5, is X In 1,2,3 (no = FAILED) X=5, is X In 3-7 (yes = PASSED) X=5, is X Between 2,3 (no = FAILED) X=5, is X Between 1,10 (yes = PASSED) X=abcd, is X Like %bc% (yes = PASSED) X=abcd, is X Matches Regex.*bc.* (yes = PASSED) Contains Does the Right Value appear in the Left X=abcd, is X Contains bc (yes =

26 Value? PASSED) Begins With Does a string begin with this...? X Begins With a (yes = PASSED) X=abcd, is X Begins With b (no = FAILED) Ends With Does a string end with this..? X=abcd, is X Ends With d (yes = PASSED) X=abcd, is X Ends With b (no = FAILED) Attribute Exists Attribute Is Null Attribute Is Empty Does an attribute with the specified name exist on the feature? Is the specified attribute NULL (ie. it doesn t exist on the feature)? Does the specified attribute exist but have no value? X=attr, if attribute named attr exists on feature (yes=passed) X=attr, if attribute named attr does not exist on feature (no=failed) X=attr, if attribute named attr does not exist on feature (yes=passed) X=attr, if attribute named attr exists on feature (no=failed) X=attr, if attribute named attr exists and is empty (yes=passed) X=attr, if attribute named attr exists and is not empty or does not exist (no=failed) If you chose operators: Attribute Is Empty, Attribute Is Null, or Attribute Exists, the left hand side will be considered an attribute name regardless of the icon shown. To force the filter to use the value of an attribute for the left hand side, you must explicitly where attrname is the name of your attribute. Negate A checkbox indicating that the test should return the false if the <lhs> <op> <rhs> expression is true and vice versa. For example, X=abcd, is 'abcde' Contains X if negated (answer no = FAILED) X=5, Y=1,2,3,4 is X In Y if negated (answer yes = PASSED) Mode By default, the Comparison Mode is set to Automatic which means compare as numbers if possible. This means the filter will first try to convert the operands to numbers. If it is successful, it will compare them as numbers. If it is still not successful, it will treat operands as strings. Alphanumeric Strings: Say you have a string that is labeled "4E5". If you choose Automatic, it is possible that it will be treated as a number. If you want it treated as a text string, set the

27 Comparison Mode to String this ensures that the filter will always treat the operands as strings, and will compare them as strings. Examples Attribute Test Condition Result x=abcd X contains abcd PASSED x=a, Y=big X in Y FAILED X=100 X < 200 PASSED X=4E5 X=4E5 FAILED, if comparison mode set to Automatic Comparison Mode is set to < 100 &numlanes > 2 Comparison Mode is set to String: Usage Notes "Joe" = "Jerry" PASSED, if comparison mode set to String At run-time, the Tester invokes numeric comparisons or string comparisons, as greater than and less than, that have different meanings depending on the type of operands. If both arguments may be converted to numbers, then numeric comparisons will be used; otherwise, string comparisons will be used. If multiple Tests or String Tests are present, the test will only pass if all of the Tests are true, unless the Pass Criteria is One Test (OR) or Composite Test. By default, the Pass Criteria used between multiple tests is All Tests (AND). The String Comparison Mode forces string comparison of the equation, and the Automatic Comparison Mode (which is the default) indicates that a basic evaluation of the tests is performed. S E A R C H F M E P E D I A The Filter Features dialog operates in a similar manner to the Tester transformer in FME Workbench. Search for samples and information about this transformer on FMEpedia. Keywords: AttributeTester "comparison mode" GenericTester "pass criteria" "test clause"

28 Closing a View To close the selected View pane without shutting down the Data Inspector: Click File > Close View Click the x on the View tab Click the Close Active View tool Drag and Drop You can drag and drop a dataset into the Data Inspector to quickly open it for inspection. The Data Inspector will try to automatically guess the format of the data when you do this. When there is no data in the Inspector, you can drop the dataset anywhere in the Data Inspector interface to add a new View Window. When there is data in the Inspector, you have two options: Drop the dataset inside a View Window to add it to the same View Drop the dataset anywhere else on the interface to open the dataset in a new View Window

29 Understanding the Feature Information Window To query a feature, click the Select tool, then click on a location in the View window. To select more than one feature, click and hold the left mouse button, then drag the cursor around the desired area. Note: Selecting features in 3D mode works in a slightly different way: when you click on a feature in 3D, the tool will select all the features along an imaginary line that goes straight through the View window. In other words, it will also select all the features located directly behind the one that you click on. Information about the feature(s) will be displayed in the Feature Information Window. If multiple features have been selected, they will all be highlighted in green in the View Window and the feature whose information is currently displayed in the Feature Information Window will be highlighted in orange to allow it to stand out from other selected features. Clicking the arrow beside a section name expands/collapses the information in that section.

30 Raster datasets will display additional information that includes row/column, location, band and palette properties, and palette keys and values.

31 Features Selected Displays the number of features that have been queried in the View window. You can use the arrows to scroll through these features or enter a number into the text box to view information for a particular feature. You can also use the Up arrow key on the keyboard to increase the text box number, and the Down arrow key to decrease the text box number. Properties Feature Type: Displays the feature type of the currently selected feature. Coordinate System: Displays the coordinate system of the selected feature, or Unknown if the format does not support coordinate systems. Click the link to display detailed information about the coordinate system:

32 This area also contains information about whether the feature is 2D or 3D, the number of vertices in the feature, and minimum and maximum bounding box values of the selected area. Attributes This section displays all the attributes and attribute values of the currently selected feature. The types of attributes displayed in this window are: User Attributes pieces of user-created information that belong to a feature FME attributes these attributes start with fme_ and define the feature within FME Format attributes these attributes define the feature within the source format For more information on attribute types, open FME Workbench help, and see the topic About Feature Types. Geometry This section of the Feature Information window displays all the geometry information for the currently selected feature. You can show or hide the details for each. Shown here are: The coordinates of the bounding box (or cube in a 3D dataset) of the currently selected feature A full listing of all geometric information for the feature (coordinates for all geometry types, information about measures, transformation matrixes, raster bands, and so on...) Tip: If you click on the coordinates of a point listed in the geometry section of the Information Window, the point is marked in the View Window with a red pin.

33 Understanding the Feature Information Window To query a feature, click the Select tool, then click on a location in the View window. To select more than one feature, click and hold the left mouse button, then drag the cursor around the desired area. Note: Selecting features in 3D mode works in a slightly different way: when you click on a feature in 3D, the tool will select all the features along an imaginary line that goes straight through the View window. In other words, it will also select all the features located directly behind the one that you click on. Information about the feature(s) will be displayed in the Feature Information Window. If multiple features have been selected, they will all be highlighted in green in the View Window and the feature whose information is currently displayed in the Feature Information Window will be highlighted in orange to allow it to stand out from other selected features. Clicking the arrow beside a section name expands/collapses the information in that section.

34 Raster datasets will display additional information that includes row/column, location, band and palette properties, and palette keys and values.

35 Features Selected Displays the number of features that have been queried in the View window. You can use the arrows to scroll through these features or enter a number into the text box to view information for a particular feature. You can also use the Up arrow key on the keyboard to increase the text box number, and the Down arrow key to decrease the text box number. Properties Feature Type: Displays the feature type of the currently selected feature. Coordinate System: Displays the coordinate system of the selected feature, or Unknown if the format does not support coordinate systems. Click the link to display detailed information about the coordinate system:

36 This area also contains information about whether the feature is 2D or 3D, the number of vertices in the feature, and minimum and maximum bounding box values of the selected area. Attributes This section displays all the attributes and attribute values of the currently selected feature. The types of attributes displayed in this window are: User Attributes pieces of user-created information that belong to a feature FME attributes these attributes start with fme_ and define the feature within FME Format attributes these attributes define the feature within the source format For more information on attribute types, open FME Workbench help, and see the topic About Feature Types. Geometry This section of the Feature Information window displays all the geometry information for the currently selected feature. You can show or hide the details for each. Shown here are: The coordinates of the bounding box (or cube in a 3D dataset) of the currently selected feature A full listing of all geometric information for the feature (coordinates for all geometry types, information about measures, transformation matrixes, raster bands, and so on...) Tip: If you click on the coordinates of a point listed in the geometry section of the Information Window, the point is marked in the View Window with a red pin.

37 Querying Raster Features Because raster data is made up of cells rather than features, the techniques for inspecting raster datasets are slightly different than those for inspecting vector datasets.

38 There are two ways to use the Query tool on a raster dataset: querying a cell and querying a raster dataset itself.

39 Querying a Cell A single click onto a raster dataset queries the cell under that click and produces output in the Information Window. Querying a Dataset Selecting an area of the raster dataset with a click and drag motion queries the dataset as a whole. This results in the following type of output:

40 Querying Point Cloud Features Querying a point cloud dataset is similar to querying a raster dataset. There are two ways to select a point cloud. Click on a point in the point cloud to show the Single Point Information. This includes 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.

41 Drag the cursor to select an area of a point cloud dataset to show the Point Cloud Properties. This information includes feature type, coordinate system, extents, number of points, attributes, and components.

42 Mixing Vector and Raster Datasets The FME Data Inspector can display raster and vector datasets in a single View window.

43 Types of Datasets Source Datasets may come in any of four possible types. FME distinguishes between these different types on the basis of data storage and structure. Since FME handles each type differently, it is important to know which type of data you are working with.

44 File-Based Datasets A file-based dataset is as simple as it sounds: it's a complete dataset stored within a single file. An AutoCAD DXF file is a good example of this; each.dxf file is a separate dataset. Feature Types within File-Based Datasets File-based datasets usually have some method of assigning data to different categories. In FME, these categories are treated as different feature types. For example, in an AutoCAD DXF file, the data is organized into "layers". DGN files, on the other hand, use "levels". In each case, FME reads these categories as distinct feature types.

45 Folder-Based Datasets The logic behind a folder-based dataset can be slightly confusing. In this form, the dataset is the folder or directory holding the data. For example, in "C:\FMEData\Data\Schools\ShapeSchoolRegions", the dataset name is "ShapeSchoolRegions". Esri Shape, MapInfo TAB, and CSV formats are examples of folder-based datasets. Feature Types within Folder-Based Datasets In a folder-based dataset, data is contained in a series of files. Typically, each unique file within the folder is a feature type within the dataset. For example, in the following ESRI Shape data structure, the dataset is "engineering", while the feature types are "roads", "piplines", and "roadsigns". C:\citydata\engineering\roads.shp \pipelines.shp \roadsigns.shp Note: It is common for FME users to mistake individual files for datasets. However, when there is no method of subdividing the data within the file itself, FME usually treats the file as a feature type within a folder-based dataset.

46 Database Datasets A database, as its name implies, is a set of data stored within a database. Generally, each distinct database is a different dataset (though to be strictly accurate, each user/schema within a database would be a different dataset). The most obvious example is an Oracle database; whether it is spatial or non-spatial, it is treated the same way by FME. Feature Types within Database Datasets In a database dataset, each different table within the database is considered a feature type. For example, an Oracle database called "resources" has tables called "users", "vehicles", and "equipment". The dataset, in this case is "resources", whereas the feature types are "users", "vehicles", and "equipment".

47 Web Datasets A web dataset is a collection of data stored on an Internet site. A Web Feature Service (WFS) server is an example of a web dataset. In this case, the name of the dataset is the same as the name of the URL (Universal Resource Locator). Feature Types within Web Datasets Web datasets commonly have a number of layers. Each layer represents a different feature type.

48 Geometry Types To effectively support all the formats that it does, FME has a very comprehensive geometry model that includes everything from the simplest geometry to the most complex. It s important to be familiar with geometry types you will encounter within FME, particularly with how they are reported within the FME Data Inspector. This section is a very comprehensive list of these geometry types and includes items you may not need to be personally familiar with. Supported Geometries There are some geometries that are expected to be supported by most, if not all, data formats. Other geometries are more format-specific: they may not appear in every format and not every user would need to know about them. Non-Geometry Lines Aggregates Points Polygons Raster Point Cloud Other Geometry Types

49 Points Point geometries are features represented by a single coordinate. Points A simple point feature has only an x/y coordinate Text Features Text features possess an x/y coordinate that represents the insertion point of an annotation (usually the lower-left corner of the text). The feature is also defined by text size, rotation, and justification. Arcs Arc features possess an x/y coordinate that represents their centre point, plus a mathematical definition of the arc radius and sweep angles so that FME can describe them properly in a view. Ellipses Ellipses, like arcs, are basically circle or oval features. However, since they are closed figures, they don't require a start or sweep angle.

50 Lines A line is a series of points strung together to form a chain. Two-Point Lines The simplest form of line geometry is a two-point line: a line with a start coordinate and an end coordinate, but no intermediate points. Polylines A polyline feature is a multi-point line; that is, it has a start coordinate and an end coordinate, plus one or more intermediate points. Note: An NB is a polyline feature whose last point is coincident to its first. In other words, it appears as a closed figure. However, it is a line feature by definition and doesn't become a polygon unless coerced (connected) by a reader/writer or transformer, such as FME Workbench's PolygonBuilder.

51 Polygons A polygon feature is a series of points strung together whose first and last points coincide to form a closed shape. Simple Polygons A simple polygon forms a single closed shape. Donuts A donut is made up of an outer polygon to define the perimeter and an inner polygon to represent a hole within it. The inner polygon is known as an island.

52 Aggregates An aggregate is a defined set of any of the above features (point, line, polygon, and so forth). It is also sometimes known as a "collection" or "group". Homogeneous Aggregates A homogeneous aggregate is made up of features of the same geometry type. Non-Homogeneous Aggregates A non-homogeneous aggregate is made up of features of differing geometry types.

53 Raster A raster geometry feature is a set of pixels (or cells) in a grid formation. There are no attributes as such, but each cell may possess a single value or color.

54 Non-Geometry A non-geometry feature is a set of attributes without geometry. The most common non-geometry feature is a simple database record. Point Cloud A point cloud geometry feature is a set of points. Each point has a ground location and may also possess a few components such as angle, classification, intensity, number of returns, return, scan direction, and user data.

55 Other Geometry Types FME supports a variety of additional geometry types which are less easily classified. These include the geometry types listed below. See also FME 3D Support. Area BRepSolid Box CSGSolid CompositeSolid CompositeSurface Curve Extrusion Face MultiArea MultiCurve MultiPoint MultiSolid MultiSurface MultiText Null Path RectangleFace Segment SimpleArea SimpleSolid SimpleSurface Solid Surface Text TriangleFan TriangleStrip