Feature Caching is a mode in FME for workspace authoring. It’s basically a way to store data for future access. Feature Caching can save you time and make you more productive – if you know how to use it. Though not complicated to learn, Feature Caching is often overlooked by FME users because they don't know how to get started. In this webinar, learn the basics of Feature Caching, including: - Common uses - Partial runs - Collapsed bookmarks - Templates - And more! Afterwards, you’ll feel confident using Feature Caching in your workflows and will improve the way you author workflows.

1. Workspace
Authoring 101:
Feature Caching

2. Meet the Presenter
Dave Campanas
Applications Expert

3. Agenda
What we’re covering today.
● Why Feature Caching is the
coolest thing ever
● When it isn’t so cool

4. Type in your questions
throughout the webinar.
It’s also being recorded and a copy
of the video, slides, and workspaces
will be emailed to you.

5. Section 1
What is Feature Caching, and how can it help me?

6. What is Feature Caching
● Stores a copy of the features output for each transformer in workspace
● Workbench setting - is not saved in workspace
● Does not apply when workspace run in Quick Translator, FME Server, or command
line FME

7. Demo

8. Feature Caching can speed
workspace development
By reducing the number of
times the full workspace
must be run, and
automating the exposure
of new attributes and
values.

9. See the story:
safe.com/webinars

10. Section 2
When should feature Caching not be used?

11. Raster workflows
● Rasters are usually quite large
● A copy must cached to disk for each transformer
● FME optimizes raster handling for best performance
● Caching disrupts raster optimization
When working with rasters:
● Disable Feature Caching
● Bookmark and collapse raster section in mixed raster/vector workspaces

12. Workflows using Variables
● VariableSetter and VariableRetriever often used to efficiently transfer information
between feature streams and to create lookup tables
● Variables stored in memory and not cached with features
● Variable state lost in partial workspace runs

13. Workflows where feature order is important
● FeatureMerger, Clipper offer performance options if feature order can be controlled
○ ie. Clippers First option
● Order may not be the same from caches of multiple streams

14. Resources
FME Evangelist Blog, with more examples:
https://www.safe.com/blog/2018/05/caching-data-fme-evangelist174/
Knowledge Article:
https://community.safe.com/s/article/feature-caching-and-performance

15. Summary
Feature Caching can help you develop
workspaces faster.
Feature Caching should not presently
be used when feature order is
important, or when variables are used.

16. Try it Yourself!
Download FME 2021.0 Download the
workspace from this
webinar
Apply it to your own
data to manage
changes
Free Trial | Upgrade

17. Thank you!
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Type in your
questions for Q&A