Adding Writers

You can write to multiple destination datasets.

  1. From the menu, select Writers > Add Writer. Alternatively, use Quick Add.
  2. In the Add Writer dialog, specify the Format and Dataset. See Choosing from the Formats List. To output data to a zip file, click the zip output icon .
  3. Specify Parameters and Coordinate System (if applicable). Note that you can set the output coordinate system for each dataset to its own unique coordinate system.

    4. Tip: If you frequently work with the same writer, you can create and reuse the same sets of parameter values. For more information, see Parameter Presets.

  1. Under Add Feature Type(s), select a Feature Type Definition option for the new writer:
    • Automatic: Allows Workbench to define attributes and update them automatically based on which readers are connected in the workspace. The Feature Type dialog prompts you to set the Feature Type Name, Geometry (for some formats), and expose any format Attributes. Alternatively, right-click on the background of the workspace and select Insert Writer Feature Type. On the User Attributes tab, click Automatic.
    • Manual: Allows you to create a new feature type manually. The Feature Type dialog prompts you set the Feature Type Name, Geometry (for some formats), and User attributes, as well as expose any format attributes. Alternatively, right-click on the background of the workspace and select Insert Writer Feature Type. On the User Attributes tab, click Manual.
    • Copy from Reader: This option is available if the workspace already contains at least one reader. You are prompted to select one or more existing feature types. The new writer inherits the schema of the specified reader feature type(s).
    • Import from Dataset: Imports the schema definitions of an external data source, which you are prompted to specify. You can then adjust the imported feature types so that they more closely reflect your dataset.
    • Dynamic: Allows Workbench to determine schema definition at translation time, based on reader feature types. For more information, see About Dynamic Workspaces.
    • None: Schema is ignored, and no feature types are added.
  2. Click OK. The log window displays processing information. A new Writer appears in the navigator view, and any new destination feature types appear on the Workbench canvas.

You can change the displayed name of a writer by right-clicking on it in the Navigator pane, and choosing Rename.

Tip: If you have multiple writers in your workspace, make sure that the writer that will be processing the most data is at the top of the list in the Navigator pane. This results in faster performance because the writer processes the features immediately upon receiving them, rather than having to cache them.