FAQ - FME and ArcGIS Data Interoperability
Answers to common questions in various areas related to FME and other products.
- Is ArcGIS Data Interoperability the same thing as FME?
- Can ArcGIS Data Interoperability run my existing FME mapping files or workspaces?
- Does ArcGIS Data Interoperability contain all FME transformers?
- Are all the FME formats inside ArcGIS Data Interoperability?
- Do formats developed by third parties work with ArcGIS Data Interoperability?
- Who should I contact for ArcGIS Data Interoperability support?
- I really like the integration but I also have existing FME mapping files. How can I use both?
- I have the FME for ArcGIS installed and notice that each time that I start the FME, it is also checking out a Data Interoperability license. Is this expected?
- Is the ArcGIS, ArcGIS Data Interoperability and FME integration in any Safe Software products or is it only available from ESRI?
Is ArcGIS Data Interoperability the same thing as FME?
No. ArcGIS Data Interoperability is not the same as FME. ArcGIS Data Interoperability is a subset of FME functionality crafted specifically to run inside of ESRI ArcGIS using FME technology.
More specifically, ArcGIS Data Interoperability does not contain a stand-alone translation engine, and as such, it cannot run outside of the ArcGIS environment.
On the other hand, FME ESRI Edition and FME Oracle Edition contain an equivalent integration with ArcGIS, as well as a stand-alone translation engine. This is why FME ESRI Edition and FME Oracle Edition cost more than ArcGIS Data Interoperability.
Can ArcGIS Data Interoperability run my existing FME mapping files or workspaces?
No. ArcGIS Data Interoperability cannot run existing FME mapping files or workspaces. If an existing FME user has mapping files or workspaces, they will have to recreate the functionality of their existing mapping files and workspaces within ArcGIS. This may be difficult as some FME functionality has been removed from the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension (see next question).
Note: It is possible to copy and paste transformers and data models between workspaces made with FME into custom tools made with Workbench inside of ArcGIS.
Does ArcGIS Data Interoperability contain all FME transformers?
No. Some transformers were not included as part of the extension. For example, some transformers duplicated functionality already available inside of ArcGIS and therefore were not included as part of the extension.
These additional transformers become available when the FME for ArcGIS - Format Pack for ArcGIS Data Interoperability is added to ArcGIS Data Interoperability.
Are all the FME formats inside ArcGIS Data Interoperability?
No. ArcGIS Data Interoperability has 99 formats and FME has over 200 formats. Formats that were not included may have had licensing arrangements that prohibited their inclusion.
- View the complete list of formats supported by both ArcGIS Data Interoperability and FME for ArcGIS.
Do formats developed by third parties work with ArcGIS Data Interoperability?
No. Only formats that ship with ArcGIS Data Interoperability are supported. If other formats are needed, then the supplemental license FME for ArcGIS - Format Pack for ArcGIS Data Interoperability must be purchased from Safe Software. Once this is installed, the ArcGIS Data Interoperability gains the full functionality of the FME ESRI Edition.
- View the complete list of formats supported by both ArcGIS Data Interoperability and FME for ArcGIS.
Who should I contact for ArcGIS Data Interoperability support?
This is an ESRI product, sold and supported by ESRI. Any queries or support must go through the appropriate ESRI channel.
However, Safe Software does offer Professional Services for ArcGIS Data Interoperability through its Solution Assistance and Training offerings – contact sales@safe.com for details and prices.
I really like the integration but I also have existing FME mapping files. How can I use both?
If you already have ArcGIS Data Interoperability, then you can purchase the FME for ArcGIS – Format Pack for ArcGIS Data Interoperability supplemental license from Safe Software.
If you already have FME ESRI Edition (FME 2004 ICE3 version and later), then you have all you need. FME ESRI Edition includes all the functionality and integration of ArcGIS Data Interoperability.
If you have FME Desktop or FME Professional
Edition, then you can purchase an upgrade to FME ESRI Edition.
If you do not have either the ArcGIS Data Interoperability
or FME, then you can purchase ArcGIS Data Interoperability
from ESRI and FME for ArcGIS – Format
Pack for ArcGIS Data Interoperability from Safe Software, or you can purchase
the FME ESRI Edition from Safe Software.
I have the FME for ArcGIS installed and notice that each time that I start the FME, it is also checking out a Data Interoperability license. Is this expected?
Yes. The FME for ArcGIS is a supplemental license to the ArcGIS Data Interoperability license and is dependent on that license. FME for ArcGIS only works if an ArcGIS Data Interoperability license is available. See FME for ESRI information below.
Is the ArcGIS, ArcGIS Data Interoperability and FME integration in any Safe Software products or is it only available from ESRI?
The complete functionality is also available as part of FME ESRI Edition and the FME Oracle Edition. With the FME ESRI Edition (or Oracle) version of FME, you get the same integration with ArcGIS as you do with the extension. This functionality is available with the release FME 2004 ICE3 and later.