FME Format Name FME Short Name Output Type Comment
Esri Geodatabase (Personal Geodatabase) GEODATABASE_MDB Personal Geodatabase Feature Types
  • Uses ESRI ArcObjects library.
  • See ESRI Licensing
  • Can create or insert into Personal Geodatabase feature classes.
  • Can read and write
    • circular and elliptical arcs, dimension and multipatch elements.
    • annotation, leader lines and feature linked annotation.
    • existing relationship classes including attributed relationship classes.
    • geodatabase network information including connectivity information.
  • Supports subtypes and domains.
  • Supports metadata reading and writing.
  • Can apply updates to Geodatabase feature classes (both attributes and geometry)
Esri Geodatabase (File Geodatabase ArcObjects) GEODATABASE_FILE File Geodatabase Feature Types
  • As for Personal Geodatabase above
  • Stores information in a set of files located in a directory ending in .gdb
  • Much faster performance than the personal geodatabase, and can also store much more data.
Esri Geodatabase (File Geodatabase Raster Dataset) GEODATABASE_FILE_RASTER_DATASET File Geodatabase Raster Maps
  • Supports the ability to mosaic raster data to existing raster data by overlaying or seamless data representation
  • Supports various compression types, qualities and pyramid levels.
Esri Geodatabase (ArcSDE Geodatabase) GEODATABASE_SDE Enterprise SDE Geodatabase Feature Types
  • As for Personal Geodatabase above
  • See ESRI Licensing
  • Can create or insert into Enterprise Geodatabase feature classes
  • Supports Enterprise Geodatabase transactional versioning.
  • Supports reading from historical markers or historical date/timestamps
  • Supports ESRI Personal ArcSDE (SQL Server Express based Geodatabase) - though you must connect to Personal ArcSDE via a direct connection.
Esri Geodatabase (ArcSDE Geodatabase Raster Dataset) GEODATABASE_SDE_RASTER_DATASET Enterprise SDE Geodatabase Raster Maps
  • As for ESRI Geodatabase (ArcSDE) for licensing requirements
  • Supports the ability to mosaic raster data to existing raster data by overlaying or seamless data representation
  • Supports various compression types, qualities and pyramid levels.
Esri Geodatabase (File Geodatabase API) FILEGDB
 		 File Geodatabase Feature Types
  • Uses ESRI File Geodatabase API.
  • Does not require any Esri license or special installed libraries
  • Can read and write File Geodatabases to 64 bit Linux
  • Can create or insert into File Geodatabase feature classes - point, line, polygon, and multipoint.
  • Supports subtypes and domains.
  • Can read and write circular and elliptical arcs.
  • Limited support for multipatch (no textures) and  reading of dimensions.
  • Simple reading of parcel fabrics.
Esri Geodatabase (XML Workspace Document) GEODATABASE_XML -
  • Reads XML Geodatabase Import Format
  • As for ESRI Geodatabase (MDB) for licensing requirements
ESRI ArcSDE SDE30 SDE Tables
  • Uses SDE C-API
  • Requires installation of the SDE libraries obtained via the SDE SDK or ArcGIS installs.
  • Increased performance over ArcObjects-based Geodatabase writer (see Increasing Performance.
  • Loads features directly into existing SDE or Geodatabase feature classes (new ones can also be created and later registered with Geodatabase)
  • Both single and double precision layers can be supported
  • Can apply updates to SDE feature classes (both attributes and geometry)
  • No support for Geodatabase specific features such as networks, subtypes, domains, surfaces, circular or elliptical arcs
  • Reads Geodatabase annotation as polygon features
  • Supports SDE Versions.
  • Must create tables with a single allowable geometry if they are to be registered with Geodatabase and viewed in ArcCatalog
ESRI ArcSDE Raster SDERASTER ArcSDE Raster Maps and Catalogs
  • As for ESRI ArcSDE above
  • Supports reading and writing raster maps and catalogs
  • Supports multiple bands, nodata values, mosaiking, compression and pyramiding
  • Writes rasters maps with color palettes
  • Raster catalogs must be registered with the Geodatabase for viewing in ArcCatalog
  • No support for versioning with raster data