Feature Type
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Q) What is a Feature Type in FME - A line, point or polygon?
A) No, in FME a Feature Type refers to the source dataset schema or structure.
Every format used by FME identifies features through a classification scheme. This classification is known in FME as a Feature Type. Feature Types are used to differentiate between different types of features, for example roads, rivers, buildings, contours.
The Feature Type for any particular format is listed in the FME Readers and Writers Manual under the ‘Format Quick Facts’ section. Some examples are…
Some Examples...
- In MicroStation Design File (DGN) format each level is a Feature Type.
- In AutoCAD Drawing File (DWG) format each layer is a Feature Type.
- In GE Smallworld format each class is a Feature Type.
- In ESRI Shape format each file basename (*.shp file) is a Feature Type.
A Feature Type is contained within a Dataset.
When you create a workspace using a dataset the Feature Types present in that dataset are shown on the left hand side of the workspace canvas.
Q) So Feature Type is a way to identify different real world items?
A) Exactly – and that will give you more control over how they are processed.
For example, a DXF file is made up of a series of layers – each layer is a Feature Type in FME.
So if you need to convert lines on Layer A to points, whilst measuring the area of polygons on Layer B, then FME separates them out to give you the ability to control which Feature Types are read and to route them into different transformers as required.
