Esri Geodatabase (File Geodatabase API) Reader/Writer

The Esri Geodatabase (File Geodatabase API) reader and writer modules allow FME to store data in and retrieve data from Esri’s File Geodatabase, based on the File Geodatabase API.

In contrast to corresponding ArcObjects-based Readers/Writers, no additional software is required to use this format, but less functionality is available.

Format Notes

The File Geodatabase API reader/writer provides Geodatabase support without an installed Esri product on Windows and Linux; however, it is a limited set of geometry and works only with 10.0 File Geodatabases or higher. For example, annotation is unsupported. For more information:

FME and Esri Versions and Compatibility

Comparison of FME Readers/Writers for SDE and Geodatabase

Overview

The Geodatabase reader and writer translates several different types of features:

  • reading and writing of point, line, polygon, and multipoint feature classes
  • partial reading of some of the other File Geodatabase types (e.g., dimensions, parcel fabrics) exposed using the basic geometric types listed above
  • reading and writing of non-spatial tables

Reader Overview

The reader extracts data from the selected File Geodatabase using the File Geodatabase API.

ArcGIS feature classes and tables become FME feature types, and ArcGIS features and rows become FME features. For feature classes within a feature dataset, the FME feature type name is formed as follows: <feature dataset name>/<feature class name>.

As with other database readers in FME, the Format Parameters are used to determine which feature classes and tables to read. WHERE clauses and bounding box constraints can be used to further limit the data read.

Writer Overview

The writer exports data to a new or existing File Geodatabase using the File Geodatabase API.

Note that, because they are considered to have complex behavior, the Geodatabase API writer does not support writing to tables that participate in a relationship.

Other tables/feature classes that are not supported:

  • Annotation and Dimension feature classes
  • Relationship Classes
  • Networks (GN and ND)
  • Topologies
  • Terrains
  • Representations
  • Parcel Fabrics

Format Resources

Esri Geodatabase (File Geodatabase API) Quick Facts

Esri Geodatabase (File Geodatabase API) Reader Parameters

Esri Geodatabase (File Geodatabase API) Writer Parameters

Attribute Definition

Format Parameters