Scribd
Upload
88 views

Spatial Adjustment of Vector Data in Arc Map

This document describes two methods for spatially adjusting vector data in ArcMap 9 when it does not have an defined coordinate system. The first method uses the Spatial Adjustment toolbar to create displacement links between control data with known coordinates and the dataset to be adjusted. The second method uses the Move tool to manually drag and align the dataset to the control data. Both aim to assign proper coordinates to pre-existing vector data so it can be used with other spatially referenced data.

Uploaded by

Balendra Shukla
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
88 views

Spatial Adjustment of Vector Data in Arc Map

This document describes two methods for spatially adjusting vector data in ArcMap 9 when it does not have an defined coordinate system. The first method uses the Spatial Adjustment toolbar to create displacement links between control data with known coordinates and the dataset to be adjusted. The second method uses the Move tool to manually drag and align the dataset to the control data. Both aim to assign proper coordinates to pre-existing vector data so it can be used with other spatially referenced data.

Uploaded by

Balendra Shukla
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Spatial Adjustment of Vector Data

using ArcMap 9
Introduction

If two datasets have a defined coordinate system but are in different projections, ArcMap has the
ability to re-project on the fly so that the two datasets can be used together. But this is not
possible if one of the datasets does not have a defined coordinate system. This, in turn, leads to
problems when dealing with data that must be aligned. In order to assign proper coordinates to a
pre-existing vector dataset it must be spatially adjusted. This guide will cover two ways in
which this process can be accomplished.

The first method makes use of the Spatial Adjustment toolbar and is very similar to
georeferencing a raster dataset. The second method involves using the Move command from the
editor toolbar. Using Move only works if the data does not need to be scaled, skewed, or rotated
in any way.

This guide will make use of two types of data. The first is an ortho-photo of the
Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge tri-city area. This file has a known coordinate system (UTM
17N NAD83) and is therefore going to be used as our control layer. The second file is an outline
of the buildings on campus with no coordinate system.

Adjustments using the Spatial Adjustment toolbar

1. Click on FileÆAdd Data and select the control layer.


Note: The control layer is the layer with the known coordinates
2. Click on FileÆAdd Data and select the dataset to be adjusted
3. Turn on the Editor toolbar by clicking on ViewÆToolbarsÆEditor. Begin editing the
dataset by selecting EditorÆStart Editing
4. Turn on the Spatial Adjustment toolbar by clicking on ViewÆToolbarsÆSpatial
Adjustment
5. Make sure the projection of the data frame is
the same as the control layer. Right-click on
LayersÆPropertiesÆCoordinate System and
select the appropriate definition
6. Click on the New Displacement Link
button to start adding links between the two
datasets

Figure 1: Spatial Adjustment toolbar

7. Zoom to the unreferenced dataset and select a location by left-clicking. Zoom to the
control layer and select the same location. This will create a link between the two
datasets
Tip: Use the magnification tool WindowÆMagnification in order to achieve a
more accurate link
8. Repeat Step 7 until enough links have been created (the number of links will depend on
the size and type of features present in the dataset)

Figure 2: Displacement Links (UW Buildings)

2
9. Note the RMS error in the Spatial AdjustmentÆLinksÆView Links Table dialogue.
The RMS error is a measure of accuracy and a lower number is better. Typically an RMS
error of less than or equal to half the pixel size of the control layer is acceptable,
however, it is somewhat subjective. Use your own discretion when dealing with error
levels
10. Once all the links have been created and the RMS error is at an acceptable level, the
adjustment can be made. Click Spatial AdjustmentÆSet Adjust Data and specify the
dataset(s) to be transformed
11. Click on Adjustment Methods and select the method that best fits the type of
transformation required. Typically, the Affine transformation is most often used and will
handle shifting, scaling, skewing, and rotations
12. Click on Spatial AdjustmentÆAdjust to begin the transformation

Figure 3: After adjustment (UW Buildings)

13. If the adjustment is not satisfactory return to Step 7 and create more links, otherwise click
EditorÆSave Edits followed by EditorÆStop Editing. The unreferenced dataset will
now have coordinates.
14. A final step would be to export this data using the projection of the data frame. Right
click on the newly transformed dataset and select DataÆExport Data. Ensure that the
Export field is set to All features and the Output path and filename are defined
15. Click OK and the data will be saved using the proper projection and coordinates

3
Adjustments using the Editor toolbar

1. Click on FileÆAdd Data and select the control layer.


Note: The control layer is the layer with the known coordinates
2. Click on FileÆAdd Data and select the dataset to be adjusted
3. Make sure the projection of the data frame is the same as the control layer. Right-click
on LayersÆPropertiesÆCoordinate System and select the appropriate definition
4. Turn on the Editor toolbar by clicking on ViewÆToolbarsÆEditor. Begin editing the
dataset by selecting EditorÆStart Editing
5. Right-click on the unreferenced dataset and select SelectionÆSelect All
6. Click on EditorÆMove and close the Delta X,Y dialogue box. Move the cursor overtop
of the selected dataset, click and drag the selection overtop of the same feature in the
control layer. This may take a few tries at different extents to achieve an exact match
7. Once a match is made, click EditorÆSave Edits followed by EditorÆStop Editing
8. A final step would be to export this data using the projection of the data frame. Right
click on the newly transformed dataset and select DataÆExport Data. Ensure that the
Export field is set to All features and the Output path and filename are defined
9. Click OK and the data will be saved using the proper projection and coordinates
10. Repeat from step 4 for any additional datasets

David Findlay
July 2005

You might also like