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I would like to build a server app that will use specific folder locations as dynamic choice values. I have the basic values set up as user parameters.

the user selects a project name (unc folder location). Then the user selects 1 or more files in a subfolder of the selected project.SELECTFILESI used the import button on the choice value/description. the problem is these are not dynamic. The project folder would only show folders that are already created. and the file chooser would only show the one folder used to import the values. there seems to be no good way to accomplish this. After speaking with support it seems maybe python is the only way i am going to accomplish this. However i am at a loss as to how to get started.

Hi @Brad Nesom​ 

Parameter dependencies, as you're describing here, is something we are looking at adding to the User Parameter Manager in the future, making these dynamic scenarios possible. If you have any input or ideas on how we could improve the product in this aspect, I would be happy to pass this on!


We have seen another user do something similar before. The workflow used two workspaces:

  • the first workspace gets the values for the project name and then creates an HTML page that is streamed back to the user with a dropdown list for the file selection
  • the submit button on the HTML page calls and runs the second workspace that does the processing, using the parameters chosen in the HTML page.

 

It's important to note, this only works on FME Server and is a more advanced method that adds several layers of complexity and will need more tinkering and adjustments than I've listed here. However, this presents the general idea if anyone is looking to perform a similar function with FME Desktop + Server.


Hi @Brad Nesom​ 

Parameter dependencies, as you're describing here, is something we are looking at adding to the User Parameter Manager in the future, making these dynamic scenarios possible. If you have any input or ideas on how we could improve the product in this aspect, I would be happy to pass this on!

There are several things i have attempted in user parameter manager that did not work for me. I will put together something and post it here.

on a similar note there are several ideas that i have upvoted in regard to user parameters.

I have struggled keeping straight which parameter value i have that i am wanting to pass into another wkspc. often having to jump back and forth from one wkspc to another.

I do know that i have recently discovered how powerful user parameters and the server parameters can be when trying to change a desktop centric workflow to a server workflow.

It would also be nice to be able to utilize the server resource library while in desktop. as user parameters. (i have many network folder resources assigned but there is no access i can find in desktop to those.) Also even putting in the resource system path $(myresource) doesn't work in most places in desktop.


We have seen another user do something similar before. The workflow used two workspaces:

  • the first workspace gets the values for the project name and then creates an HTML page that is streamed back to the user with a dropdown list for the file selection
  • the submit button on the HTML page calls and runs the second workspace that does the processing, using the parameters chosen in the HTML page.

 

It's important to note, this only works on FME Server and is a more advanced method that adds several layers of complexity and will need more tinkering and adjustments than I've listed here. However, this presents the general idea if anyone is looking to perform a similar function with FME Desktop + Server.

@danminneyatsaf​ 

is there something wrong with the community site? I am unable to see the workspace any longer.

I thought i downloaded it already but can't find it. I really don't have any other alternative but to try to figure out how to make the html page work. I have a support ticket for this C671577


@danminneyatsaf​ 

is there something wrong with the community site? I am unable to see the workspace any longer.

I thought i downloaded it already but can't find it. I really don't have any other alternative but to try to figure out how to make the html page work. I have a support ticket for this C671577

Hi @Brad Nesom​ which workspace are you looking for that has been misplaced? I can try and find it for you.


@danminneyatsaf​ 

is there something wrong with the community site? I am unable to see the workspace any longer.

I thought i downloaded it already but can't find it. I really don't have any other alternative but to try to figure out how to make the html page work. I have a support ticket for this C671577

I don't see either of the workspaces mentioned below.

We have seen another user do something similar before. The workflow used two workspaces:

  • the first workspace gets the values for the project name and then creates an HTML page that is streamed back to the user with a dropdown list for the file selection
  • the submit button on the HTML page calls and runs the second workspace that does the processing, using the parameters chosen in the HTML page.

 


@danminneyatsaf​ 

is there something wrong with the community site? I am unable to see the workspace any longer.

I thought i downloaded it already but can't find it. I really don't have any other alternative but to try to figure out how to make the html page work. I have a support ticket for this C671577

@Brad Nesom​ sorry about the confusion there. I've attached the workspaces to this reply.

 

The workspaces in their current state differ a bit from the process you're trying to perform but they will help to provide a general understanding of how the workflow is split into two different workspaces.

 

The first workspace, SelectSegment.fmw, shows how to create a dropdown list in HTML from input data. The original workspace was intended to allow the user to select specific line segments from a line, so you will need to change the reader to a Directory and File Pathnames Reader. I've created a modified version in this workspace to make things more clear.

 

The second workspace, TestDownload.fmw, shows how to utilize the info supplied by the HTML form from the first workspace.


@danminneyatsaf​ 

is there something wrong with the community site? I am unable to see the workspace any longer.

I thought i downloaded it already but can't find it. I really don't have any other alternative but to try to figure out how to make the html page work. I have a support ticket for this C671577

thanks much!. looking into it now.


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