KEMBAR78
Getting Started with Data Integration: FME Form 101 | PDF
Kailin
Opaleychuk
Technical Support
Specialist, FME Form
Evie
Lapalme
Technical Support
Team Lead, FME Form
Meet the Presenters
Donal
Mateer
Technical Support
Specialist, FME Form
Welcome to Livestorm.
A few ways to engage with us during the webinar:
Audio issues? Click this for 4 simple
troubleshooting steps.
How to download slides
1. Hover over the
slide deck in the
webinar room
2. Click this button
Agenda
1 Introduction
2 Readers, Writers, & Transformers
3 FME Options
4 Troubleshooting
5 Tips & Tricks
6 Conclusion
7 Next Steps
8 Resources
9 Q&A
Agenda
Poll:
How much time do you
spend each week on data
integration tasks?
1
Introduction
Create data integration
workflows using a visual
interface, no coding required.
● Visually design workflows without
coding
● Leverage hundreds of built-in
transformers
● Preview and validate data as you build
● Create reusable components via
custom transformers
● Easily integrate with automation tools
Why FME Form?
Common Frustrations with Data
Workflow Authoring
● Struggling to build repeatable, scalable workflows
● Confusion around how to debug or test processes
● Limited visibility into what’s happening to your data
● Manual updates or maintenance for similar workflows
● Overwhelming number of tools and options
There is a better way with FME!
FME Form makes it easy to build, debug,
and reuse data workflows, without
needing to code.
The only All-Data, Any-AI Platform.
FME Form FME Flow
Data Movement and transformations
(“ETL”) workflows are built here.
Brings life to FME Form workflows
FME Flow Hosted
Safe Software managed FME Flow
fme.safe.com/platform
FME Enterprise Integration Platform
Safe & FME
FME Realize
Experience data in real world
context, in real time.
Unrivalled Data Support
GIS
CAD
Database
XML
Raster
3D
BIM
Web
Point
Cloud
Cloud
Big Data
IOT
Graph
BI
Indoor
Mapping
AR/VR
Generative
AI
Cloud
Native
Tabular
With 500+ supported integrations in FME.
FME Form Tour
1 - Navigator
2 - Data Preview Window /
Translation Log
3 - Record Information
Demo
2
FME Building
Blocks: Readers,
Writers, &
Transformers
Readers
● Readers are the first building blocks of your
workspace
● Pull in the data from your source.
● Readers have only outputs as the data
flows from left to right
What is a Reader?
FME Building Blocks: Readers
Integration Matrix
FME Building Blocks: Readers
fme.safe.com/fme-in-action/integrations/
Visualize
Your Data
● This is where you can inspect or preview your data
● Make sure that your data looks how you expect
What is Data Inspector & Data Preview
FME Building Blocks: Visualize Your Data
● Toggle elements of preview
● Expand your data in the
Data Inspector
Elements of
Data Preview
FME Building Blocks: Visualize Your Data
Auto Inspect
Display Control
Table View
Graphics View
Record Information Window
Data Inspector
● View your attributes that are
exposed and unexposed
● See your geometry information
such as coordinate system and
type (e.g. Point)
Elements of
Record Preview
FME Building Blocks: Visualize Your Data
} Exposed
}
}Geometry
Unexposed
Transformers
● Transformers are the core building blocks used to manipulate, analyze, and
convert data within a workspace.
● Each transformer performs a specific operation
● Allows users to build out simple and complex processes
What is a Transformer?
● Each transformer has input and
output ports, and a unique set of
parameters.
● Data flows record by record
through the workspace.
How do Transformers Work?
Why use Transformers?
● Restructure data
● Convert formats or
geometry
● Filter or route data
● Enrich or clean data
● Read and write external
data
● Control data flow
Writers
● A Writer defines the output format and destination for your data.
● It controls how and where the results of your data transformation will be written.
● Each Writer has format-specific parameters.
What is a Writer?
● Output Format.
● Dataset Location.
● Schema Definition.
● Feature Handling.
Key Roles of a Writer
3
FME Options
Making FME Work
forYou!
Windows
Where to find FME Options
FME Options
MacOS
FME Options
Highlighted Elements:
● Workbench
● Translation
● Appearance
● Toolbar
● Database Connections
● Web Connections
● FME Packages
Workbench
1
2
3
1. Autosave
2. Open in Data Inspector
3. Enable/Disable AI Assist
Translation
1
2
1. Log Debug for Translation Log
2. Changing Python Interpreter
Appearance
Toolbar
Connecting and
authentication for your
databases.
You can find most
databases here or can
even use JDBC
Database
Connections
Web
Connections
Connect and authenticate
your web service
Manage Services to
customize your service
further!
FME
Packages
Check for updates on
packages for 3rd party
integrations from the
FME Hub!
4
Troubleshooting
FME Help
Translation Log
● The Translation Log in FME is like a report card for your
workspace - it shows everything that happened while
your data was being processed.
● An ERROR in the log signifies a problem with the
workspace.
Interpreting the Log
Debugging Guide for
Workspaces
● Everyone will encounter issues - regardless of
knowledge level.
● Don’t be disheartened - the following guide can help
break down the complexity of the issue and make it
clearer for you.
Debugging Guide
● Reproduce the Issue - Identify the steps that cause the
issue.
● Narrow the Focus - Narrow down the issue to something
specific.
● Test Variables - Making small changes and testing.
Debugging Guide
Debugging Guide
● Go Direct to the Source - Is it FME or something else
causing the issue?
● Contact Support - Contact Safe Software and create a
ticket.
Resources
● Knowledge Base
● FME Community
● Support Center
● FME Hub
5
Tips & Tricks
Naming Conventions
You may want to develop a naming
convention for your organization that
includes:
● Web and Database Connections
● Transformer Names
● Workspace File Names
Tips & Tricks
AI Assist
Great for when you:
● Want to know the best transformer for the task
● How to use a specific transformer
● Trying to understand an existing workspace
● Want help creating RegEx, Python, or SQL
● Or, don’t know where to start!
Tips & Tricks
For more information on AI Assist:
https://support.safe.com/hc/en-us/articles/2808
5237072269-AI-Assist-in-FME-FAQ
Bookmarks & Annotations
● Organize your workspace
● Collapse & expand bookmarks as you author
● Leave notes for you and the next person
● Makes it easier for you to maintain
Tips & Tricks
collapsed
expanded
Examples Gallery
Tips & Tricks
● Not sure how to get
started? Try working
through an example from
the gallery!
○ Located on start menu
○ Pre-built workspaces
shared by other users
or Safe Software.
6
Conclusion
FME Form - Key Takeaways
● Readers, Writers & Transformers.
● FME Options
● Troubleshooting
30+
30K+
128
140+
25K+
years of solving data
challenges
FME Community
members
countries with
FME customers
organizations worldwide
global partners with
FME services
200K+
users worldwide
200K+
users worldwide
All Data. Any AI.
All Data Velocities
Batch (ETL, Reverse ETL, ...)
Event ( BPA, RPA, ...)
Stream
All Data Locations
Any Cloud
On-premises
Hybrid
Edge
Containers
Embedded
Mixed
All Data Types
Unstructured
Structured
Spatial
APIs
Web Apps
…
Any AI
Technology
OpenAI
Amazon Bedrock
Google Gemini
Ollama
Deepseek
Composite
7
Next Steps
1 2 3 4
Next Steps
Try building a
small workflow
using FME Form
Explore custom
transformers
and test
previews
Join “FME Form
Basics” Training
(FREE!)
Reach out to our
support or
community with
your first use case!
info@safe.com
8
Resources
Get our Ebook
Spatial Data for the
Enterprise
fme.ly/gzc
Guided learning
experiences at your
fingertips
academy.safe.com
FME Academy
Resources
Check out how-to’s &
demos in the knowledge
base
support.safe.com
Knowledge Base Webinars
Upcoming &
on-demand webinars
safe.com/webinars
ClaimYour Community Badge &
Dive into the new Community!
● Get community badges for watching
webinars
● community.safe.com
● Today’s code: EXR8JS
● Join bingo!
community.safe.com/p/bingo25
Join the Community today!
Next Steps
9
Q&A
ThankYou
Recap of Next Steps
1 Follow us on LinkedIn!
2 Contact us
3 Experience the FME Accelerator
Please fill out our
webinar survey

Getting Started with Data Integration: FME Form 101

  • 2.
    Kailin Opaleychuk Technical Support Specialist, FMEForm Evie Lapalme Technical Support Team Lead, FME Form Meet the Presenters Donal Mateer Technical Support Specialist, FME Form
  • 3.
    Welcome to Livestorm. Afew ways to engage with us during the webinar: Audio issues? Click this for 4 simple troubleshooting steps.
  • 4.
    How to downloadslides 1. Hover over the slide deck in the webinar room 2. Click this button
  • 5.
    Agenda 1 Introduction 2 Readers,Writers, & Transformers 3 FME Options 4 Troubleshooting 5 Tips & Tricks 6 Conclusion 7 Next Steps 8 Resources 9 Q&A Agenda
  • 6.
    Poll: How much timedo you spend each week on data integration tasks?
  • 7.
  • 8.
    Create data integration workflowsusing a visual interface, no coding required.
  • 9.
    ● Visually designworkflows without coding ● Leverage hundreds of built-in transformers ● Preview and validate data as you build ● Create reusable components via custom transformers ● Easily integrate with automation tools Why FME Form?
  • 10.
    Common Frustrations withData Workflow Authoring ● Struggling to build repeatable, scalable workflows ● Confusion around how to debug or test processes ● Limited visibility into what’s happening to your data ● Manual updates or maintenance for similar workflows ● Overwhelming number of tools and options
  • 11.
    There is abetter way with FME! FME Form makes it easy to build, debug, and reuse data workflows, without needing to code.
  • 12.
    The only All-Data,Any-AI Platform. FME Form FME Flow Data Movement and transformations (“ETL”) workflows are built here. Brings life to FME Form workflows FME Flow Hosted Safe Software managed FME Flow fme.safe.com/platform FME Enterprise Integration Platform Safe & FME FME Realize Experience data in real world context, in real time.
  • 13.
    Unrivalled Data Support GIS CAD Database XML Raster 3D BIM Web Point Cloud Cloud BigData IOT Graph BI Indoor Mapping AR/VR Generative AI Cloud Native Tabular With 500+ supported integrations in FME.
  • 14.
    FME Form Tour 1- Navigator 2 - Data Preview Window / Translation Log 3 - Record Information
  • 15.
  • 16.
  • 17.
  • 18.
    ● Readers arethe first building blocks of your workspace ● Pull in the data from your source. ● Readers have only outputs as the data flows from left to right What is a Reader? FME Building Blocks: Readers
  • 19.
    Integration Matrix FME BuildingBlocks: Readers fme.safe.com/fme-in-action/integrations/
  • 20.
  • 21.
    ● This iswhere you can inspect or preview your data ● Make sure that your data looks how you expect What is Data Inspector & Data Preview FME Building Blocks: Visualize Your Data
  • 22.
    ● Toggle elementsof preview ● Expand your data in the Data Inspector Elements of Data Preview FME Building Blocks: Visualize Your Data Auto Inspect Display Control Table View Graphics View Record Information Window Data Inspector
  • 23.
    ● View yourattributes that are exposed and unexposed ● See your geometry information such as coordinate system and type (e.g. Point) Elements of Record Preview FME Building Blocks: Visualize Your Data } Exposed } }Geometry Unexposed
  • 24.
  • 25.
    ● Transformers arethe core building blocks used to manipulate, analyze, and convert data within a workspace. ● Each transformer performs a specific operation ● Allows users to build out simple and complex processes What is a Transformer?
  • 26.
    ● Each transformerhas input and output ports, and a unique set of parameters. ● Data flows record by record through the workspace. How do Transformers Work?
  • 27.
    Why use Transformers? ●Restructure data ● Convert formats or geometry ● Filter or route data ● Enrich or clean data ● Read and write external data ● Control data flow
  • 28.
  • 29.
    ● A Writerdefines the output format and destination for your data. ● It controls how and where the results of your data transformation will be written. ● Each Writer has format-specific parameters. What is a Writer?
  • 30.
    ● Output Format. ●Dataset Location. ● Schema Definition. ● Feature Handling. Key Roles of a Writer
  • 31.
  • 32.
    Windows Where to findFME Options FME Options MacOS
  • 33.
    FME Options Highlighted Elements: ●Workbench ● Translation ● Appearance ● Toolbar ● Database Connections ● Web Connections ● FME Packages
  • 34.
    Workbench 1 2 3 1. Autosave 2. Openin Data Inspector 3. Enable/Disable AI Assist
  • 35.
    Translation 1 2 1. Log Debugfor Translation Log 2. Changing Python Interpreter
  • 36.
  • 37.
  • 38.
    Connecting and authentication foryour databases. You can find most databases here or can even use JDBC Database Connections Web Connections Connect and authenticate your web service Manage Services to customize your service further! FME Packages Check for updates on packages for 3rd party integrations from the FME Hub!
  • 39.
  • 40.
  • 41.
    Translation Log ● TheTranslation Log in FME is like a report card for your workspace - it shows everything that happened while your data was being processed. ● An ERROR in the log signifies a problem with the workspace.
  • 42.
  • 43.
    Debugging Guide for Workspaces ●Everyone will encounter issues - regardless of knowledge level. ● Don’t be disheartened - the following guide can help break down the complexity of the issue and make it clearer for you.
  • 44.
    Debugging Guide ● Reproducethe Issue - Identify the steps that cause the issue. ● Narrow the Focus - Narrow down the issue to something specific. ● Test Variables - Making small changes and testing.
  • 45.
  • 46.
    Debugging Guide ● GoDirect to the Source - Is it FME or something else causing the issue? ● Contact Support - Contact Safe Software and create a ticket.
  • 47.
    Resources ● Knowledge Base ●FME Community ● Support Center ● FME Hub
  • 48.
  • 49.
    Naming Conventions You maywant to develop a naming convention for your organization that includes: ● Web and Database Connections ● Transformer Names ● Workspace File Names Tips & Tricks
  • 50.
    AI Assist Great forwhen you: ● Want to know the best transformer for the task ● How to use a specific transformer ● Trying to understand an existing workspace ● Want help creating RegEx, Python, or SQL ● Or, don’t know where to start! Tips & Tricks For more information on AI Assist: https://support.safe.com/hc/en-us/articles/2808 5237072269-AI-Assist-in-FME-FAQ
  • 51.
    Bookmarks & Annotations ●Organize your workspace ● Collapse & expand bookmarks as you author ● Leave notes for you and the next person ● Makes it easier for you to maintain Tips & Tricks collapsed expanded
  • 52.
    Examples Gallery Tips &Tricks ● Not sure how to get started? Try working through an example from the gallery! ○ Located on start menu ○ Pre-built workspaces shared by other users or Safe Software.
  • 53.
  • 54.
    FME Form -Key Takeaways ● Readers, Writers & Transformers. ● FME Options ● Troubleshooting
  • 55.
    30+ 30K+ 128 140+ 25K+ years of solvingdata challenges FME Community members countries with FME customers organizations worldwide global partners with FME services 200K+ users worldwide 200K+ users worldwide
  • 56.
    All Data. AnyAI. All Data Velocities Batch (ETL, Reverse ETL, ...) Event ( BPA, RPA, ...) Stream All Data Locations Any Cloud On-premises Hybrid Edge Containers Embedded Mixed All Data Types Unstructured Structured Spatial APIs Web Apps … Any AI Technology OpenAI Amazon Bedrock Google Gemini Ollama Deepseek Composite
  • 57.
  • 58.
    1 2 34 Next Steps Try building a small workflow using FME Form Explore custom transformers and test previews Join “FME Form Basics” Training (FREE!) Reach out to our support or community with your first use case! info@safe.com
  • 59.
  • 60.
    Get our Ebook SpatialData for the Enterprise fme.ly/gzc Guided learning experiences at your fingertips academy.safe.com FME Academy Resources Check out how-to’s & demos in the knowledge base support.safe.com Knowledge Base Webinars Upcoming & on-demand webinars safe.com/webinars
  • 61.
    ClaimYour Community Badge& Dive into the new Community! ● Get community badges for watching webinars ● community.safe.com ● Today’s code: EXR8JS ● Join bingo! community.safe.com/p/bingo25 Join the Community today! Next Steps
  • 62.
  • 63.
    ThankYou Recap of NextSteps 1 Follow us on LinkedIn! 2 Contact us 3 Experience the FME Accelerator Please fill out our webinar survey