Introduction
In this tutorial, you will learn how to define a coordinate system in FME Workbench and how to reproject data to another coordinate system using the Reprojector Transformer.
Data Source
The source dataset for part 1 is a feature class in an Esri Geodatabase containing a land boundary, but the dataset is in an incorrect coordinate system.
The source dataset for part 2 is a feature class in an Esri Geodatabase containing contour lines in the LL83 coordinate system.
Step-by-step Instructions
Exercise 1: Defining Projections When Adding a Reader
In this scenario, you want to define the projection of your dataset to match the coordinate system information that is stated in a metadata file. The polygon boundary you will use was inadvertently projected to the wrong coordinate system (UTM83-11), so you want to define the correct projection (UTM83-10) before performing your analysis.
To follow along with the tutorial, please download the data from the article's Files section.
1. Create a New Workspace
Open FME Workbench and create a blank workspace.
2. Add an Esri Geodatabase (File Geodb Open API) Reader
Add a reader to the canvas by clicking on the Reader button on the top menu bar or by going to Readers > Add Reader. In the Add Reader dialog, select the following:
- Format: Esri Geodatabase (File Geodb Open API)
- Dataset: LandBoundary.gdb
The easiest way to define a coordinate system in FME is when adding the reader. To define a coordinate system, you can either select a coordinate system from the drop-down list or type in the name of the coordinate system (i.e. “UTM83-10”) - the list will filter coordinate systems as you type and will only return coordinate systems that contain what is being typed in.
As of FME 2025.2, the Coordinate System parameter is now configured within the Parameters dialog of each reader/writer format. For more information, including details about the change and affected transformers, please see Coordinate System Parameter Location Change.
Select the UTM83-10 from the list of Coordinate Systems or type in “UTM83-10” to define the coordinate system. Then click OK.
Alternatively, you can set the reader/writer’s Coordinate System in the Navigator window. See the Working with Coordinate Systems in FME article for more information.
For FME 2025.2 and newer, open the Parameters dialog to set the coordinate system.
3. Run Workspace
Connect an Inspector transformer to the LandBoundary reader feature type.
Run the workspace by clicking the Run button on the top toolbar, or by selecting Run > Run Workspace from the top menu bar.
After running the workspace, the data will be displayed in Visual Preview. Click on a feature, then open the Feature Information window to view the coordinate system. Optionally, add a background map to ensure the data is where it belongs.
Exercise 2: Reprojecting Data
In Exercise 2, you will reproject data because it is currently using the LL83 Coordinate system (measured in degrees), and you need it to be in a coordinate system that uses linear units. In this scenario, you will reproject data from lat/long LL83 (degrees) to UTM83-10 (meters).
1. Create a New Workspace
Open FME Workbench and create a blank workspace.
2. Add an Esri Geodatabase (File Geodb Open API) Reader
Add a reader to the canvas by clicking on the Reader button on the top menu bar or by going to Readers > Add Reader. In the Add Reader dialog, select the following:
- Format: Esri Geodatabase (File Geodb Open API)
- Dataset: Contours.gdb
Note: If continuing in the same instance of FME as Exercise 1, you may need to remove the Coordinate System and open the parameters to select a different feature class.
3. View Coordinate System
After adding the reader, click on the Contours reader feature type to open the mini toolbar, then click on View Source Data.
In Data Preview (formerly Visual Preview), click on a feature, then open the Feature Information window to view the coordinate system. Note that the current coordinate system is LL83.
4. Reproject Data
With the Contours reader feature type still selected, add a Reprojector transformer to the canvas by typing “Reprojector” in the Quick Add Search to bring up the list of FME Transformers. Select the Reprojector from the list of Transformers by double-clicking or by using the arrow keys and the Enter key to add it.
Double-click on the Reprojector to open the parameters. In the parameters, set the Destination Coordinate System to UTM83-10, then click OK.
5. Run Workspace
Connect an Inspector transformer to the Reprojector reprojected output port.
Run the workspace by clicking the Run button on the top toolbar, or by selecting Run > Run Workspace from the top menu bar.
After running the workspace, the data will be displayed in Data Preview. Click on a feature, then open the Feature Information window to view the coordinate system. The coordinate system should now be UTM83-10.
Data Attribution
The data used here originates from open data made available by the City of Vancouver, British Columbia. It contains information licensed under the Open Government License - Vancouver.