This would significantly improve productivity and reduce error rates in (complex) workflows. For exaple; I am working on a large project with many Tester transformers that need to be consolidated into central TestFilter logic, reused in multiple places. Right now, I have to open and close each Tester one at a time just to transfer conditions. This is a repetitive and error prone process that interrupts focus and introduces copy paste mistakes. Side by side comparison simply is not possible withing just one workspace.
Being able to open two or more parameter windows at once would make this deterministic and efficient. It would also help with verifying consistency across transformers, refactoring expressions, and migrating logic in large scale workspaces. These are not edge cases. Any user working with complex conditionals or multi stage filtering encounters this problem.
Yes, I can open a second Workbench and load a copy of the workspace. But that is just a workaround, not a solution. It increases memory usage, risks of editing the wrong file, need to make a copy and introduces friction into something that should be trivial.
I found this older idea:
It was merged into:
But that is a different use case. Batch editing is about applying the same change across multiple components. This request is about opening different transformers side by side for comparison, manual transfer, and accuracy. It is not about replication. It is about visibility, context and (quality) control.
Other complex tools such as ETL platforms and IDEs already support multi dialog workflows. FME's single dialog model limits advanced users. This feature would benefit anyone working with layered logic, often copies settings/logic/stuff around and would reduce load caused by user errors from repeated manual operations.
Something like this:
If there are technical limitations, the second window could be read or copy only. That would still address the core problem: parallel access to parameters, logic, code and more within the same workspace. Ideally, two-way copy should be supported, but even limited access would help. Alternatively, allow the Parameter Editor panel and the double-click transformer dialog to show different transformers at the same time, so they can be used in parallel instead of always showing the same selection. Even if this feature were only available for a handful of transformers or limited to opening multiple instances of the same transformer group type, it would still be a meaningful improvement. Or allowing just two dialogs or a master follower model where the second window depends on the first so that closing the first (typically the one you intend to edit) also closes the second (used for reference) would already provide significant value.
