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Vancouver, BC, August 21, 2008 - Safe Software announced today that its software solution FME, the recognized standard in spatial ETL (extract, transform and load), now offers complete support for CityGML.
The FME 2009 beta introduces the ability to write CityGML data, adding to the read support which has been available since the format's early draft stages. This combination of read and write capabilities enables CityGML users to communicate in the common specification while still using their preferred systems for data analyses. FME Server, Safe Software's spatial data distribution solution, will also be extended in 2009 to add capabilities for sharing CityGML data via the OGC web feature service (WFS) protocol.
In addition to the complete support offered in FME for the widely used draft CityGML 0.4, Safe Software is already actively updating FME to support CityGML 1.0, announced yesterday by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) as an official specification. CityGML has been adopted as a common information model for the representation of 3D urban objects, providing a standard means by which to share urban spatial data.
"Finally we have a common standard for people serious about implementing 3D city models that take us beyond beautiful visualizations. Combining quality graphics with robust information and topological models, CityGML will change the way professionals manage virtual cities," says Tim Case, Chair of the OGC 3D Information Management Working Group.
"This open, interoperable and extensible platform has already been effectively implemented in dozens of jurisdictions," Case adds. "However, the incorporation of CityGML read/write support into FME is perhaps the single most important next step towards broad adoption of 3D city models in the geospatial industry. I look forward to the rapid adoption of this platform which is designed to support next generation 3D solutions."
Safe Software has been proactively providing read/write capabilities for OGC standards since the preliminary stages of GML in 2001. Today, FME supports OGC WMS, WFS, GML, and KML along with CityGML.
"We are committed to supporting OGC standards and encouraging data interoperability in the various segments of the spatial data world, including 3D," says Don Murray, President of Safe Software. "This in mind, extending our support for the newest OGC specification, CityGML, was a natural choice. We look forward to seeing the power of data interoperability that CityGML holds unfold in projects around the globe."
FME provides data conversion capabilities to users around the world. To learn more, visit safe.com or email
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. FME 2009 is anticipated for release in early 2009. Until then, the FME 2009 beta is available at www.safe.com/beta.
About CityGML CityGML is a common information model for the representation of 3D urban objects. It defines the classes and relations for the most relevant topographic objects in cities and regional models with respect to their geometrical, topological, semantical and appearance properties. Included are generalization hierarchies between thematic classes, aggregations, relations between objects, and spatial properties. These thematic information go beyond graphic exchange formats and allow to employ virtual 3D city models for sophisticated analysis tasks and navigation in different application domains like simulations, urban data mining, facility management, and thematic inquiries.
CityGML is realized as an open data model and XML-based format for the storage and exchange of virtual 3D city models. It is implemented as an application schema for the Geography Markup Language 3 (GML3), the extendible international standard for spatial data exchange issued by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) and the ISO TC211. CityGML is intended to become an open standard and therefore can be used free of charge. For more information, please visit www.citygml.org.
About the OGC The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc (OGC) is an international industry consortium of 365 companies, government agencies and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available interface specifications. OpenGIS® Specifications support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream IT. The specifications empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications.
About Safe Software and FME Safe Software powers the flow of spatial data with its software platform, FME. The recognized standard in spatial ETL (extract, transform and load), FME is the only complete solution for data conversion. It delivers the most extensive format support for data translation and integration, and provides unlimited flexibility in data model transformation and data distribution.
FME is used by thousands of customers worldwide in a variety of industries including government, utilities, and petroleum. Its powerful data access technology also makes FME the choice of leading GIS, CAD, and database vendors for integration into their own solutions. Designed for true data interoperability, FME unleashes spatial data so people can use it where, when, and how they want to. For more information, visit www.safe.com.
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