Returns a feature's orientation. This will have different possible return value, based on the input geometry type. Note that the orientation will always be no_orientation for any geometries not listed below.
Area
If the input is an area geometry which fits the right-hand or left-hand rule, the attribute will be set to the value right_hand_rule or left_hand_rule, respectively. The attribute will not have a meaningful value for degenerate areas, such as areas with a figure-8 boundary, or areas that are actually a line or point.
The right-hand rule requires that, on a walk of the area's coordinates, the area is on the right-hand side. Thus, outer boundaries must be clockwise and inner boundaries must be counterclockwise. The opposite is true for the left-hand rule.
Surface
If the input is a surface geometry, where all parts of the surface are consistently oriented, the attribute will be set to the value valid_surface_orientation. If the parts are unoriented or inconsistent, the attribute will be set to the value no_orientation.
Solid
If the input is a solid geometry, where all of the normals point away from the interior of the solid, the attribute will be set to the value valid_solid_orientation. If all of the normals point towards the interior of the solid, the attribute will be set to the value reversed_solid_orientation. In all other cases, the attribute will be set to the value no_orientation.
Point
If the input is an oriented point geometry, the point’s orientation is extracted as a 3x3 matrix representation, and the attribute set as a list of the matrix values, in row-major order. Aggregates and multipoints only have point orientation extracted if they contain a single oriented point.
Parameters
General
Orientation Attribute
Name of the attribute that holds the orientation returned.
Editing Transformer Parameters
Using a set of menu options, transformer parameters can be assigned by referencing other elements in the workspace. More advanced functions, such as an advanced editor and an arithmetic editor, are also available in some transformers. To access a menu of these options, click 
beside the applicable parameter. For more information, see Transformer Parameter Menu Options.
Defining Values
There are several ways to define a value for use in a Transformer. The simplest is to simply type in a value or string, which can include functions of various types such as attribute references, math and string functions, and workspace parameters. There are a number of tools and shortcuts that can assist in constructing values, generally available from the drop-down context menu adjacent to the value field.
How to Set Parameter Values
Using the Text Editor
The Text Editor provides a convenient way to construct text strings (including regular expressions) from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and constants, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.
Using the Arithmetic Editor
The Arithmetic Editor provides a convenient way to construct math expressions from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and feature functions, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.
Conditional Values
Set values depending on one or more test conditions that either pass or fail.
Parameter Condition Definition Dialog
Content
Expressions and strings can include a number of functions, characters, parameters, and more.
When setting values - whether entered directly in a parameter or constructed using one of the editors - strings and expressions containing String, Math, Date/Time or FME Feature Functions will have those functions evaluated. Therefore, the names of these functions (in the form @<function_name>) should not be used as literal string values.
Content Types
| These functions manipulate and format strings. | |
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Special Characters |
A set of control characters is available in the Text Editor. |
| Math functions are available in both editors. | |
| Date/Time Functions | Date and time functions are available in the Text Editor. |
| These operators are available in the Arithmetic Editor. | |
| These return primarily feature-specific values. | |
| FME and workspace-specific parameters may be used. | |
| Creating and Modifying User Parameters | Create your own editable parameters. |
Dialog Options - Tables
Transformers with table-style parameters have additional tools for populating and manipulating values.
Table Tools
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Row Reordering
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Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
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Cut, Copy, and Paste
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Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
Cut, copy, and paste may be used within a transformer, or between transformers. |
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Filter
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Start typing a string, and the matrix will only display rows matching those characters. Searches all columns. This only affects the display of attributes within the transformer - it does not alter which attributes are output. |
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Import
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Import populates the table with a set of new attributes read from a dataset. Specific application varies between transformers. |
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Reset/Refresh
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Generally resets the table to its initial state, and may provide additional options to remove invalid entries. Behavior varies between transformers. |
Note: Not all tools are available in all transformers.
FME Community
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Search for samples and information about this transformer on the FME Community.