This is somewhat of a bigger picture type question and perhaps better if directed at ESRI, but figured I'd ask here too. I've had this problem with FME 2015 and my current 2018 version (FME(R) 2018.0.0.2 (20180414 - Build 18301 - WIN32)). I use ESRI ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension to access the FME workbench.

I generally will run my tools directly in workbench, but occasionally I'll run them from the toolbox containing the Spatial ETL tool in ArcCatalog. I can only get this to work if I run my tools in "Debug..." mode. Opening a spatial ETL tool ("Open..." or simply double-clicking it) pulls up the dialog box where I can enter published parameters, but clicking "OK" to run the tool this way always results in the spatial ETL tool failing and/or ArcCatalog kicking out a background processing warning ("Backing processing has encountered a serious error and is unable to continue"). The Results pane in ArcCatalog gives an "ERROR 000819: The tool is not available or is unassigned."

Again, might be a question better suited for ESRI, but figured I'd give it a shot here. How do I correct this so I can run my spatial ETL tools by simply double-clicking them? I suspect that there's a specific setting somewhere that I don't have set correctly or something. I'd like to be able to just double-click the spatial ETL tool, apply the published parameters, then run the tool without ever opening workbench or running in 'Debug...' mode. This makes it much easier to pass a toolbox off to someone else who might be less familiar with FME.

I'm happy to provide any more info if need be & thanks for any help you can provide.

FME Information:

Edition: Data Interoperability (node locked-crc)