What is Quick Add?

Quick Add is the easiest way to add transformers, readers, and writers to the workspace. To try it, click on a blank area on the workspace canvas and press a key on the keyboard.

For example, type the word area. A dialog appears on the canvas that contains of list of transformers that contain the word area:

Press the Return key, and the highlighted transformer appears in the workspace. Press Return again to immediately open the Transformer Parameters dialog.

Tip  Typing a sequence of letters can also identify objects whose names have those letters capitalized. For example, to find the GeometryPropertySetter transformer, type gps.

You can also use Quick Add to add custom transformers, FME Hub transformers, readers, and writers. For example, type dwg for a selection of applicable transformers, readers, and writers:

In the right pane description, selections are identified by their origin:

  • Official: Created by Safe Software Inc.
  • Verified: Created by a Verified FME Hub Publisher.
  • Community: Created by an FME Hub contributor.

Additionally, FME Hub selections show the number of times the item has been downloaded by users, and an indicator if the item is already installed on your FME platform:

Auto-Connect After Quick Add

Click Tools > FME Options > Workbench. Under General, make sure that Automatically connect after Quick Add is enabled.

If you select another object before initiating the Quick Add search for a transformer, it will connect automatically to the object.

Upon auto-connecting a transformer, a connection toolbar appears above the transformer . If you wish to remove connections while keeping the transformer on the canvas, click Undo Automatic Connection . To undo, add, or change input port connections, click Reconnect input port . To undo, add, or change output port connections, click Reconnect output port . The connection toolbar disappears when focus shifts away from the transformer.

Tip  If you add a transformer, then want to add the same transformer again, press the slash "/" key on your keyboard. The Quick Add box will appear showing the last selected transformer. Press the Return key to include it, then press Return again to edit its parameters.