The FME module provides the ability to import more GIS database formats directly into MakaiPlan through the seamless integration of Safe Software’s FME (Feature Manipulation Engine). Users familiar with importing GIS data using MakaiPlan will use the same procedure as before to import GIS data in over 150 formats without the need to convert data formats using a third party software package outside of MakaiPlan.

There are three primary data types that the FME module provides to users of Makai software: vector data, raster and geotiff images. Makai has also added the capability to load DBDB-V data (a bathymetric data format used by the Naval Oceanographic Office) using the Makai DTM module.

The table to the right contains a list of formats (read and write) supported by FME Desktop (Intergraph Edition). Additional information on the attributes of specific data types can be found at Safe Software’s website (www.safe.com). The "read" column defines the formats that can be imported into MakaiPlan through the incorporation of FME into MakaiPlan. The legend outlines how different formats are supported by FME. Note that some formats may require an extra cost plug-in.

S57 Electronic Nautical Chart Example

In this example a “S-57 (ENC) Hydrographic Data Format” file for the Pearl Harbor entrance containing a large amount of navigation information will be imported into the Makai Plan View. The steps are described below.

Select (Project > Feature > Add GIS Data) which opens the “Select Feature(s)” window.

Select FME from the drop down menu in the “Select Features(s)” window and click the “Add Database” button. This will bring up the “Specify Input Data Source” window.

In this example an “S-57 (ENC)” file will be imported. Specify the format to be “S-57 (ENC) Hydrographic Data Format”. This is accomplished by selecting the browse button next to the “Format” option box in the “Specify Input Data Source” window and selecting “S-57 (ENC) Hydrographic Data Format” in the “Formats Gallery” window.

The “Specify Input Data Source” window will now have the “Format” specified.

Next, specify the “Dataset” which in this case corresponds to the “S-57 (ENC) Hydrographic data Format” file that is being imported (US5HA54M.000). This is accomplished by selecting the browse button next to the “Dataset” option box in the “Specify Input Data Source” window and browsing for the appropriate file.

The “Specify Input Data Source” window should now have the “Format” and “Dataset” specified.

Next, specify the Coordinate System in the “Specify Input Data Source” window. Here the coordinate system is based on Geographic Coordinates of Latitude and Longitude (LL). Specify the coordinate system by selecting the browse button next to the “Coordinate System” drop down menu and browse for LL in the “Coordinate System Gallery” window.

The “Specify Input Data Source” window should now have the Format, Dataset, and Coordinate System specified.

Specify the settings specific to the data-type that is being imported by clicking the “Settings” button in the “Specify Input Data Source” window.  All of the settings can be left as the default setting in the “S57 Input Settings” window. For more information on these settings see the FME help manuals or Safe Software’s online resources (www.safe.com).

Now that all of the parameters are specified in the “Specify Input Data Source” window, click OK. The “Select Features” window will appear. Select features that are to be imported and displayed in the Plan View from the list (hold the control key to select multiple features). In all of the features are selected to be imported. There are many different features that can be imported for this data type. Select OK.

The features that were selected will appear in the MakaiPlan Plan view with appropriate map legend entries. Some features will be covered up by other features. The user should turn on and off different layers in the map legend (right click on features and choose display on or display off) and move the feature up or down in the map legend (changes which features are on top) to see all of the data contained in the Plan View.