I have finally started using FME Workbench (Form) 2024 a bit more consistently now that I built a new instance of FME Server (Flow Hosted) 2024.1.1.1. I like the updated look, but am missing a few things and noticing some inconsistencies in how the transformers render on the canvas:
- The newer look is more modern and although it’s just “ok” for me (looks like a card and less “fussy” than the previous transformer look), I like it.
- I miss the cog-wheel to access settings with a single click at the top-right of each transformer. Now you have to highlight the transformer and then you can click to access the settings. Doubling the mouse clicks isn’t a great enhancement. Would love to see this make a come-back, maybe as a minimalist “dot” or something...
- I can double click to get to the settings, but still not thrilled about it. It is forcing me to use the Parameter Editor window more now, docked to the right of the screen. Still getting used to it in an effort to reduce the clicking but with a widescreen or dual screen setup, this means more mouse travel. Doesn’t feel like a workflow improvement.
- I’m noticing inconsitencies when opening an older workspace and then adding new transformers or copying existing ones. Almost all transformers now have an “Input’ row when newly inserted, but some upgraded ones don’t (see below), such as the AttributeKeeper, AttributeRemover, JSONExtractor, HTMLReportGenerator, Recorder, VariableSetter, and I’m sure plenty others.
- I am not a fan of the additional “Input” on each transformer as it takes up a lot more vertical space without any particular benefit. FME can clearly render them in a more compact fashion, so it would make sense to include both a global setting to control this “Input” behavior and display a more traditional “compact” transformer, and also perhaps at the transformer level via right-click context menu.
That’s all I have for now and have felt these strongly enough to post them here! I have not created any Ideas posts related to the above as I’d like to see what others think first. Am I being too picky? Perhaps :)
I’m kind of used to this type of setup in Revit and the CAD world where you have to select an object and edit properties in a panel/pallette somewhere, but it feels like a step back in the FME world. Double clicking to open the settings where your mouse cursor is might be the better option until that Settings single-click icon hopefully makes a comeback.