Geometry Definition

In formats that support reading or controlling the writing of geometric (spatial) data, a Geometry Definition table is visible in the User Attributes tab of a feature type.

This table allows you to

Identify when there is geometry data present, including the name of the geometry column (or multiple columns, if multiple geometries are present).
Control whether or not geometry data is written and specify geometry type, depending on the format.

Note The Geometry Definition table on a reader feature type is read-only, and not editable, even if Allow Reader Feature Type Editing is checked.

The information contained within the Geometry Definition table includes:

Column Name	Visibility	Description
Name	Always present	The values displayed in this column correspond to what is displayed on the expanded workspace canvas object and in the Schema Preview window: <geometry_column_name> – source feature type's geometry column name, if available. In formats that support multiple geometries, the column name for each geometry that is present is provided. <geometry> for formats that do not support named geometry columns On writer feature types, you can set Name if Attribute Definition is Manual or Dynamic.
Geometry Type	Always present	Displays the allowed geometry of the feature type for each geometry Name. If the format does not support a specific geometry, <all> displays. On writer feature types, you can set Geometry Type if Attribute Definition is Manual or Dynamic. To set Geometry Type to the geometry of the first feature that enters the reader, specify <from first feature>. On writers that support multiple geometry types, you can add (+) multiple types as required.
Spatial Type	Optionally shown	If the format's schema feature has information for spatial type, this column displays. Where applicable, this value can be set on the writer feature type.

Column Name

Visibility

Description

Name

Always present

The values displayed in this column correspond to what is displayed on the expanded workspace canvas object and in the Schema Preview window:

<geometry_column_name> – source feature type's geometry column name, if available. In formats that support multiple geometries, the column name for each geometry that is present is provided.
<geometry> for formats that do not support named geometry columns

On writer feature types, you can set Name if Attribute Definition is Manual or Dynamic.

Geometry Type

Always present

Displays the allowed geometry of the feature type for each geometry Name. If the format does not support a specific geometry, <all> displays.

On writer feature types, you can set Geometry Type if Attribute Definition is Manual or Dynamic. To set Geometry Type to the geometry of the first feature that enters the reader, specify <from first feature>.

On writers that support multiple geometry types, you can add (+) multiple types as required.

Spatial Type

Optionally shown

If the format's schema feature has information for spatial type, this column displays. Where applicable, this value can be set on the writer feature type.

Updating Feature Types

When FME detects an update to the feature type, the Feature Type dialog displays an information banner. You can update the dialog to refresh the table content.