The Import Feature Types function adds feature types to an existing dataset by importing the schema from any dataset. This second dataset could be the same one as is being read, but this isn’t necessary; in fact, it doesn’t even need to be in the same format – the schema definition is the important part, and FME can read that from any format.
The log will display processing information and the feature types will be added to the selected dataset.
You can also choose to import feature types from a selected format in an entire folder by clicking the Advanced Browser button .
To output certain attributes or results to a different output layer, you can create new feature types for writer datasets.
To quickly copy feature types to a writer, right-click on a feature type and select Duplicate (on Writer). If you have one writer, the feature type will automatically be duplicated; if you have more than one writer, you will be prompted to choose the writer to associate with the feature type:
To remove selected feature types, choose Remove Feature Types from the Readers or Writers menu and check the applicable boxes.
You can also select the feature types in the canvas or the Navigator pane and press the Delete key.
Move Feature Type is enabled only when you have more than one destination dataset and at least one destination feature type in the workspace.
It is used to quickly change the dataset for a group of feature types. For example, if you have a MIF dataset with feature types and Oracle dataset without any feature types. You can quickly switch all the MIF feature types to Oracle feature types by changing their associated dataset. All the MIF feature types will be moved over to the Oracle dataset.
You can also do this using one feature type at a time by following these steps:
To output only one feature type, right-click on a feature type and select Enable Only This Feature Type.
To enable multiple feature types, select the feature types, then right-click and select Enable Objects.
Note: You can also select these options from the Readers and Writers menus.
To disable a feature type and all of its links, right-click on a feature type and choose Disable.
To disable multiple feature types, select all of them, then right-click and select Disable Objects.
Note: You can also select these options from the Readers and Writers menus.