FME Augmented Reality (FME AR) Writer

Augmented Reality (AR) represents the ability to view additional information overlaid on a live view of the world. Mobile devices such as phones, tablets, and AR glasses provide this view using an AR browser app.

FME AR (FME Augmented Reality) is such an app for mobile devices. The FME AR format is the key to using the FME AR mobile app.

FME AR App

The FME AR format is the key to using the FME AR app.

The FME AR app is available in both the Google Play and the iTunes stores from your mobile device.

For information about the FME AR app, see Using the FME AR App.

FME AR Files

An FME AR file consists of a package of several .fmear and Material files that define a collection of 3D geometries that can be displayed using the FME AR app. You can open .fmear files in the FME AR App on certain iOS and Android devices.

FME AR files always contain three-dimensional geometry. Two-dimensional data will be represented with one of the coordinates (usually y or z) being 0.0 for all geometry.

FME AR Product and System Requirements

Format

Product

Operating System

 

Reader/Writer

FME Desktop License

FME Server

FME Cloud

Windows

Linux

Mac

Mobile

Writer

Available in FME Professional Edition and higher

Yes

Yes

32-bit: Yes

64-bit: Yes

Yes

Yes

iOS

Android

Writer Overview

Writer Dataset

Path to the output file

Feature Type Fanout

Supported

Output Data

.fmear file

  • An existing .fmear file in the folder is overwritten with the new .fmear file with the same name.
  • If the .fmear file cannot be written, the translation fails.
  • Each feature type written to an FME AR writer will create a separate asset within the output .fmear file.

Texture and Material Information

Combined into a single material library, and all texture sources will also be packaged into the .fmear.

Coordinate System Projection

If the FME AR writer receives features with coordinate systems, it reprojects the data into the azimuthal equidistant projection (AZMED). The writer reprojects the entire model – not feature by feature or feature type by feature type.

The AZMED projection ensures that all points on the map are at proportionally correct distances from the center point, and all points on the map are at the correct azimuth from the center point. In an AZMED projection, the Y axis points to the north, and the X axis points to the east. If the model rotation is important when loading in the FME AR app, you should ensure that the axes are correct.

If the FME AR writer receives data that does not have a coordinate system, it first assumes the data is in meters, and then also reprojects the data into AZMED (which means the model is shifted so that 0,0 is in the center of the model).

Converting 2D Features to 3D

When working with 2D data, the coordinate system units become critical to note.

Some coordinate systems, such as LL-WGS84, express the X and Y coordinates in degrees, while the Z coordinates will be in meters. Using a 3D Bufferer transformer to create pipes from lines will behave unexpectedly here, as the X and Y units will not correlate the Z units, and may appear flattened.

Tip: When performing operations such as buffering or scaling, it is recommended (for consistency) to reproject to a coordinate system that uses the same unit for all axes.

Terminology in this Chapter

Term

Definition or FME Representation

Anchor

Position in the world that the model should be placed, in LL84.

FME AR file

A package of several .fmear and Material files that define a collection of 3D geometries that can be displayed using the FME Augmented Reality (FME AR) app.

Viewpoint

A 3D point that acts as a spatial bookmark. It enables the viewer to quickly view the model from this point when using a supported phone app.

Writer Dataset

The path to the output file.

FME Community

Search the FME Community for FME AR resources.