8 replies to this topic

[frax]

Hi,

I know some people here use FME (Hans and... anyone else?). I have been wrestling with some operations on large shape files in ArcGIS and I am getting increasingly frustrated. Is FME worth it? (I assume it is VERY pricey -- it always is when companies don't list the price on their homepage...)

[Hans van der Maarel]

In short: FME is definately worth it. If you can give me some details on what you'd like to do with it, I can tell you whether or not it's possible and how difficult it would be to set up.

As for the pricing, I can't say too much right now, but stay tuned for more news

[Kartograph]

"I sense some new retail contracts here. The FME is strong in this one *points to Hans*."

[Lui]

In short: FME is definately worth it. If you can give me some details on what you'd like to do with it, I can tell you whether or not it's possible and how difficult it would be to set up.

As for the pricing, I can't say too much right now, but stay tuned for more news 

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In 2004 FME was proclaimed as "The Best Discovered Software of Year by me". In FME is so easy to make some complex GIS tasks looking simple and transparent. And batching is also very simple and with modifying *.fme files also very powerfull.

Lui

[frax]

Right now I want to merge (union) and do some simple calculation on three large shape-files, then convert them to a grid, then project that (wgs84 > miller cylindrical), then make that RGB from a color map and merge that with another RGB image.

I have been trying to solve it all using ArcGIS Model Builder, but there seems to be slight problems with the shape files (geometry?). Currently I am converting them to ArcInfo Workstation (which I know very well) to do these operations. I was able to set up a complicated operation in Model Builder, but then it craps out for a long time...

[Hans van der Maarel]

Right now I want to merge (union) and do some simple calculation on three large shape-files

Definately possible.

then convert them to a grid, then project that (wgs84 > miller cylindrical), then make that RGB from a color map and merge that with another RGB image.

Recently FME has really improved in terms of raster support, but I haven't really used it myself. Been meaning to take a look at it though.

It may be that this is still better done in ArcGIS. Hard to say without trying.

[frax]

well the tricky part is to get the files into raster format, from there on it is quite easy. I am quite sure that FME can do the shape-file part, and prolly better than ArcGIS -- but doesn't necessarily mean it is worth the secret price tag... (might be more cost effective to sub-contract Hans to do the job!)

[Hans van der Maarel]

(might be more cost effective to sub-contract Hans to do the job!)

That's another option of course. Feel free to contact me privately (hans@redgeographics.com) if you want to work out the business side of this

[mark2atsafe]

Hi Frax,
I'd say yes - but then I might be biased.

I certainly think it will do a great deal of what you need - I'm less sure about the raster side of things, but then I'm of the "give me vector or give me death" school of GIS

The cost depends on the options you need. The Base Edition covers nearly all functionality and a great many formats, and is very reasonably priced I'd say. The higher costs are only when you start to use higher level formats such as Smallworld, SDE, MapGuide etc.

I'm sure Hans will be able to answer most of your questions and help with a solution - plus an evaluation copy of FME can be obtained from the Safe web site, so you can make sure of your process before purchasing.

Hope to see you become an FME convert soon!

Mark

BTW - I think the prices aren't listed, not because they are astronomically high, but partly because local resellers may charge different rates and partly because we like to talk with our customers to ensure they get what they need. We'd sooner not make a sale than have a user buy the low-cost solution and then complain when it doesn't do what they need.

Hi,

I know some people here use FME (Hans and... anyone else?). I have been wrestling with some operations on large shape files in ArcGIS and I am getting increasingly frustrated. Is FME worth it? (I assume it is VERY pricey -- it always is when companies don't list the price on their homepage...)

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