Custom Format
From Fmepedia
A Custom Format (previously a.k.a. Custom or Composite Datasource), is an FME Workspace that can be used to pre-process data, as if it were a data format on its own. Once created, it will show up in the input formats list.
From then on, it can be used in any FME component as a separate format, including the Application Extensions, so it is, for example, possible to open a GPS data file directly in Microsoft MapPoint.
At the time of writing, a Custom Format can only be an input format.
Check out Dale's presentation on Custom Formats for more information.
One of the Custom Format settings can cause a little confusion - What exactly is an Inner Swizzle?
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Q) Where should I store a Custom Format fds file?
A) Depends on your situation and version of FME.
- For individual use, in FME 2005 or earlier, custom formats should be stored in <my documents>\My FME Datasources
- For individual use, in FME 2006 or later, custom formats should be stored in <my documents>\FME\Formats
- To share a custom format, on a single computer (ie one FME installation), place the files inside <fme install dir>\datasources
- To share a custom format, on multiple computers, place the files anywhere, but remember to share that location.
NB: For backwards compatibility, FME2006 onwards will still recognize custom formats in the My FME Datasources folder.
Q) What are the benefits of sharing a Custom Format?
A) Sharing a Custom Format (from a central location, as opposed to passing it around) means many users have access to the same FME function. More importantly, if the Custom Format definition changes, you do not have to pass the changed fds file to all the users; their FME installation will use the changed file automatically.
Q) How can I share a Custom Format with other users in my office?
A) To share with other users on a network, share the folder containing the FDS and have other users connect to it as a shared resource. They can do this using Tools > Options > Shared Resource Directories.
Q) I'm writing a script to install a custom format on a customer site. How do I know where to install it?
A) It can go in any of the above mentioned locations, but because these locations could vary you'll need to use environment variables.
- For individual use install the FDS file to%HomePath%\My Documents\FME\Formats which is the default user folder in Windows (XP).
- For sharing on a single computer, install the FDS to %FME_HOME%\\datasources which is the default location for fds files for a single FME installation.
