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An overview of the Projections toolset

Available with Advanced license.

The Projections toolset contains tools to set a projection for, reproject, or transform a coverage. Properly projected data ensures accurate, reproducible representations and measurements with your GIS data.

Maps are flat, but the surfaces they represent are curved. Transforming three-dimensional space onto a two-dimensional map is called projection. Projection formulas are mathematical expressions that convert data from a geographical location (latitude and longitude) on a sphere or spheroid to a representative location on a flat surface. The process distorts at least one of these properties—shape, area, distance, direction—and often more. Because measurements of one or more of these distorted properties are often used to make decisions, anyone who uses maps as analytic tools should know which projections distort which properties and to what extent. Briefly, conformal maps preserve shape; equal area, or equivalent, maps retain all areas at the same scale; equidistant maps maintain certain distances; and azimuthal, or true direction, maps express certain accurate directions.

  • About map projections
  • Projection types
  • Choosing a map projection
  • Determining a map's projection
  • Crossing map projection zones
  • Transforming between NAD27 and NAD83
  • Storing coordinates

ToolDescription

Define Projection

Records the coordinate system information of the Input Coverage including any associated projection parameters, such as datum and spheroid.

Project

Changes the coordinate system of your coverage including its datum or spheroid.

Transform

Moves all features in a coverage based on a set of from and to control points.

Projection toolset

Related Topics

  • What is a coverage?
  • Storing coordinates
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