FME is the best tool on the market for no-code data integration. Our drag and drop transformers replace the need for scripting, making data integration and automation accessible to everyone. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t utilize Python or ArcPy within FME to migrate data, automate tasks, or build custom solutions. For FME users who have expressed this interest, this webinar is for you! FME can work with all different versions of Python. We’ll show you how to: - Overcome compatibility issues for different versions of Python - Pass data in and out of Python - Work with published parameters within FME - Create custom data integration or automation solutions Because if you have to code, you should get to focus on results and not compatibility.

1. Creating Custom Solutions
with FME and Python

2. Meet the Presenters
Laura Wu Debbi Leung Kailin Opaleychuk

3. Agenda
What we’re covering today.
● Python Overview
● Integrating Python and FME
● Understanding Compatibility
● Intro to ArcPy
● Importing Modules

4. Python Overview

5. What is Python?
Python is a scripting language.
Why is Python attractive?
● Free
● Well documented
● Compatible with many GIS
applications

6. Sample Python Script
import os
os. startfile(r"C:Program FilesFME2018fmeworkbench.exe")
import os
os. startfile("C:Program FilesFME2018fmeworkbench.exe")

7. Integrating Python and FME

8. Reasons for using
Python in FME:
● To perform transformations or other
operations FME workbench doesn’t
support
● Leverage third party modules and libraries
● Call or run a workspace via script (outside
FME Workbench)
● Migrate ArcPy or other Python scripts
● Automate data tasks
● Or perhaps models or processes were
initially developed using scripts

9. Reasons for using
Python in FME:
● To perform transformations or other
operations FME workbench doesn’t
support
● Leverage third party modules and libraries
● Call or run a workspace via script (outside
FME Workbench)
● Migrate ArcPy or other Python scripts
● Automate data tasks
● Or perhaps models or processes were
initially developed using scripts
However…

10. There are numerous FME transformers for
performing almost every task you can think
of without resorting to scripting.
If you are thinking about writing a Python script to do
something in FME, you should make absolutely sure there
is not an existing transformer available already.

11. Where can I find
Python in FME
Workbench?
● Startup Python scripts
● Shutdown Python scripts
● Scripted parameters
● PythonCaller/PythonCreator
transformers

12. Startup Python Scripts in FME
These parameters allow a
user to specify a Python
script that is executed prior
to a translation.
● Check validity of
database connections
● Create a backup for
source data
● Adding custom content
to the logfile

13. DEMO

14. Shutdown Python Scripts in FME
Enables a user to specify a
Python script that is executed
after a translation.
● Send a notification
email if the translation
fails.
● Moving or making a
copy of data results
● Scan the log for a
particular message or
condition

15. DEMO

16. Scripted Parameters
Set User Parameter values
dynamically based on output
from a Python script.
These run before any Startup
Scripts in the Workspace.

17. DEMO

18. PythonCreator
Can be used to start off a workflow within FME.
Creates any number of features to be used
within downstream transformers.
Key use:
● Read from data formats that FME doesn’t
currently support

19. DEMO

20. PythonCaller
Used mid-stream within an FME workflow
Run a python script once per input feature
OR
Run a python script on groups of input features
Key uses:
● Perform tasks where a transformer isn’t
available
● Complete complex manipulations on lists

21. DEMO

22. Understanding Python
Compatibility

23. Supported Python Versions
FME 2021 supports Python 3.6-3.8 and provisionally supports
Python 2.7 depending on the operating system.
On Windows, FME also supports using the Python interpreter
included with ArcGIS products, which grants access to the
ArcPy library.
Different Python versions are supported depending on the FME
version used--check documentation or go to fmeobjects folder
in the FME install directory.

24. Preferred Python Interpreter
This per-user setting controls:
● Default Python Compatibility value for new
workspaces
● Interpreter loaded for FME Python’s
interactive shell
● FME Python’s pip utility
Can use Custom Python interpreter instead of
the interpreter bundled with FME by
specifying a custom interpreter with setting.
Note: Does not affect Python interpreter
choice for existing workspaces. Found under Tools (menu) > FME Options > Translation > Python
Interpreter.

25. Python Compatibility
This parameter specifies the level of compatibility your
workspace or custom transformer has with different
versions of Python.
It also determines the Python interpreter used by FME
when running a workspace.
This parameter can be found in the Navigator, under
Workspace Parameters > Scripting.
Parameter is workspace-specific.

26. Choosing a Python
Interpreter
● Recommendation: use Python 3
○ Python 2.7 is end-of-life
○ FME 2023 will drop Python
2.7 support
● Other considerations:
○ Dependencies
○ ArcGIS Desktop’s ArcPy is
Python 2.7 only

27. Python on FME Server
Engines uses a workspace’s Python
Compatibility parameter to determine
which Python interpreter should be
used.
If a currently-running engine has
loaded an incompatible interpreter, the
engine will be restarted automatically
to load a compatible interpreter.

28. Python in different Operating Systems
Windows
Uses bundled
interpreter by
default
Can use custom
Python interpreter
Linux
Uses system
interpreter
Cannot use
custom Python
interpreter
macOS
Uses bundled
interpreter
Cannot use
custom Python
interpreter

29. Using ArcPy with FME

30. Introduction to ArcPy
ArcPy is a package that provides geographic data analysis, data conversion, data
management, and map automation with Python.
FME supports working with Python 2.7 and Python 3.x versions of ArcPy on the Windows
platform.
Requires a licensed installation of ArcGIS Desktop, ArcPro, or ArcGIS Enterprise in order
to use with FME.
A workspace’s Python Compatibility parameter must be set to the appropriate Esri
ArcGIS Python options in order to work

31. DEMO

32. Importing Modules

33. Python Modules in FME
You can use anything from the Python Standard Library with no extra work
Simply import os, fileinput, statistics, etc to use them
For everything else, you must install them for the python interpreter used in your
Workspace.

34. Install Python Packages
Use pip - package installer for Python
fme.exe python -m pip install <
package_name> --target <package_destination_folder>
The key is placing the package files into the right location for FME to use them
On FME Desktop, this is your FME user folder:
C:Users<user>DocumentsFMEPluginsPython
On FME Server, they go into Resources:
EnginePluginspython

35. DEMO

36. Resources
● Tutorial: Python and FME Basics
● Python Scripted Parameters in FME
● Installing Python Packages to FME
Desktop
● Using Python with FME Server
● Python FME API Documentation
● Python Documentation

37. Thank you!
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