FMW File – What is .fmw file and how to open it?

Definition

A FMW file, also known as an FME Workbench File, is a proprietary file format developed by Safe Software, the creator of the FME (Feature Manipulation Engine) software suite. FMW files are used to store FME workflows, which are sequences of data processing and transformation operations applied to geospatial data.

Structure and Contents

FMW files contain a serialized representation of an FME workflow, including the input and output datasets, the spatial operations performed, and the parameters used. These workflows can be complex, involving multiple data sources, transformations, and output formats. FMW files also store metadata about the workflow, such as its name, description, and author. The file format is XML-based, allowing for easy parsing and extensibility.

Opening FMW Files

FMW files, or FME Workbench Files, are used by FME Workbench, a data integration software developed by Safe Software. To open an FMW file, you will need FME Workbench installed on your computer. Once installed, you can open the file by double-clicking on it, or by dragging and dropping it onto the FME Workbench application icon.

Alternatively, you can open an FMW file by using the File menu in FME Workbench. Click on “File” and then select “Open”. Navigate to the location of the FMW file and select it. Click on “Open” to open the file in FME Workbench.

Additional Information

FMW files store information about the data integration tasks that you have created in FME Workbench. They contain information about the data sources, transformations, and destinations that you have used in your workflow. When you open an FMW file, FME Workbench will create a workspace that contains all of the objects that were used in the file. You can then edit the workspace to make changes to the workflow.

FMW File Association

The .FMW (FME Workbench File) extension is exclusively associated with Safe Software’s FME Workbench, a data integration and transformation platform. FMW files serve as project containers that store the configuration, settings, and data manipulation tasks created within the FME Workbench environment. They contain a comprehensive representation of the spatial and non-spatial data processing workflow, including input and output datasets, data transformations, and spatial analysis operations.

Content and Structure

FMW files are XML-based documents that adhere to a defined schema. They encompass various sections, including project metadata, input and output datasets with their respective attributes and geometry, and a series of transformers responsible for data manipulation. Transformers leverage pre-defined parameters to perform operations such as filtering, aggregating, merging, and reprojection. Additionally, FMW files can include references to external files, allowing for the incorporation of custom functions and scripts into the data processing pipeline. These files provide a comprehensive record of the data integration and transformation tasks, facilitating editing, collaboration, and the automated execution of complex data workflows.

Other Extensions