Desktop Help 10.0 - How to work with GML in ArcGIS

GML is a very large specification that enables users to create their own GML specifications. Many, but not all, are supported as core capabilities in ArcGIS. Therefore, it is important to understand some of the aspects of GML support in ArcGIS before you start to use your GML dataset.

GML simple features

ArcGIS can read and write GML 3 using the GML Simple Features profile. See Using GML simple features for instructions.

ArcGIS support for GML application schemas

GML has the ability to support community-specific GML application schemas for data interchange and sharing across a user community. Some of these application schemas are supported by the Data Interoperability extension. You can also add new formats to Data Interoperability to support other GML application schemas.

The first step to use a GML application schema in ArcGIS is to create a translator. If you are using GML simple features or any of the application schemas supported out of the box in the Data Interoperability extension, this task is accomplished by simply adding the format in your ArcGIS environment.

If your GML application schema is not a supported Data Interoperability format, first you need to build a custom format using the FME workbench included in the Data Interoperability extension. See Adding new GML application schemas.

Using GML datasets in ArcGIS

First, make sure you have installed and enabled the Data Interoperability extension for use in ArcGIS. Once this is in place, you can use GML.

Any place where you can specify a data source, you can use a GML file as your data source—for example, when adding a dataset as a map layer in ArcMap or as an input for geoprocessing, as shown below.

Examples of ways you can use GML in ArcGIS

Adding GML files as a feature class data source for a map layer in ArcMap
Using GML files as inputs and results of geoprocessing operations
Using GML files as inputs for ArcGlobe
Specifying GML as the output in data conversion operations
As a WFS service in ArcIMS and ArcGIS Server

10/28/2010