Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box Page 1 of 11

Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box

The Coordinate System Definition dialog box allows you to define or review the properties of a coordinate
system. The title of the dialog box is set by the command or utility that invokes it. In addition to the tabs
described in this section, the dialog box has four buttons: the standard OK and Cancel buttons and buttons
for Load and Save As. The Load button invokes a standard file open dialog box, allowing you to select a
coordinate system file (.csf), MicroStation design file (.dgn), or Projection file (.prj) to read and use to set the
properties of the coordinate system being defined. The Save As button invokes a standard save as dialog
box, allowing you to save the coordinate system definition as a coordinate system file (.csf).

In This Section

General Tab
Storage Space Tab
Projection Space Tab
Projection Parameters Dialog Box
Geographic Space Tab
Reference Ellipsoid Parameters Dialog Box
Units and Formats Tab

General Tab
Allows you to define the type of the coordinate system and to optionally provide a name and a description.
Tab Options
Coordinate system type
Allows you to select the type of the coordinate system. For a coordinate system that describes a physical
storage (such as a warehouse feature class or the model space of imagery), the coordinate system type
defines the base storage type for the data. For other coordinate systems (such as one describing a
displayed view) the coordinate system type indicates the essence and predominant usage of the coordinate
system (for example, a coordinate system for a map view display defines distortion characteristics which may
be noticed in the map view display).
Geographic
Expresses coordinates as longitude, latitude, and height.
Projection
Expresses coordinates as X, Y, height. X normally points east on the plane of the map, and Y normally
points north at the point chosen for the map’s origin. The X coordinate is called easting; the Y,
northing. Projected coordinate systems differ in how they represent the curved surface of the earth
on the flat surface of a map.
Geocentric
Expresses coordinates as defining the position of a specific point with respect to the center of the earth.
These coordinates are Cartesian (X, Y, Z) where the X axis of the geocentric system passes through the
intersection of the prime meridian and the equator, the Y axis passes through the intersection of the
equator with 90 degrees East, and the Z axis corresponds with the earth's polar axis. The X and Y axes
are positive pointing outwards, while the Z axis is positive towards the North Pole.
Optional information
Name
Enter the name of the coordinate system being defined. The name is limited to 100 characters in length.
When the Set default name option is selected the system will generate a name based upon the EPSG
code, provided the code is not user-defined.
Description
Enter a description for the coordinate system being defined. The description is limited to 255 characters

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in length.
Coordinate reference system authority
EPSG code
Allows you to define all of the coordinate system's geodetic parameters using a numeric code from the
Coordinate Reference System table of the EPSG Geodetic Parameter Dataset.
Set default name
Allows you to specify that the system will generate a default value for the Name when the coordinate
system matches or is defined by an EPSG code. The default Name is comprised of "EPSG" followed by
the code number. The system will not generate a default name when the code is user-defined.

n Coordinate reference system codes in the EPSG dataset are defined within the range 1024 to 32767
inclusive. Only a subset of numbers within this range are defined and not all defined code values are
supported by this software.
n The EPSG Geodetic Parameter Dataset is maintained by the Geodesy Subcommittee of the International
Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) Geomatics Committee. Values incorporated into this
software come from version 8.8 of the dataset. An online registry of the dataset is accessible at
www.epsg-registry.org.
n Definition of a coordinate system by an EPSG code value does not define or change values on the Units
and Formats tab of this dialog.
n A system-generated default Name will be automatically modified if the EPSG code is changed from one
valid number to another. A default Name will be cleared if the EPSG code is changed from a valid
number to the user-defined condition.

See Also

Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box

Storage Space Tab
Projection Space Tab
Projection Parameters Dialog Box
Geographic Space Tab
Reference Ellipsoid Parameters Dialog Box
Units and Formats Tab

Storage Space Tab

Allows you to define the storage units and storage center for the coordinate system. For a coordinate system
that describes a physical storage (such as a warehouse feature class or the model space of imagery), these
properties define the data storage.
Tab Options (Geographic Storage Space)
Horizontal storage unit
This combination of a text box and unit-of-measure drop- down list allows you to specify the horizontal
storage unit for a geographic storage space. The horizontal storage unit defines the distance between
sequential integer coordinate values. (For example, if the storage unit is 0.0001 sec., and the x coordinate of
a point changes from 1 to 2, the distance in the x direction of the change is 0.0001 sec.) The number used
must be greater than zero, and the default value is 1 degree.
When the dialog box is reached from the Define Coordinate System File executable, the horizontal
storage unit you choose will be stored in the resulting .csf file and will be used for subsequent editing of
the .csf file.
Vertical storage unit
This combination of a text box and unit-of-measure drop- down list allows you to specify the vertical storage
unit for the geographic storage space. The vertical storage unit defines what the distance between
sequential Z coordinate values is. This option is only available when the base storage type is geographic or

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projection. The number used must be greater than zero, and the default value is 1 meter (m).
When the dialog box is reached from the Define Coordinate System File executable, the vertical
storage unit you choose will be stored in the resulting .csf file and will be used for subsequent editing of
the .csf file.
Storage center
Allows you to offset the range of storage coordinates that is used. For example, you may want all
coordinates to be positive. A normal data set has a center of (0,0), which means no shifting is defined.
Longitude
Allows you to specify the longitude value for the center of the geographic storage space.
Latitude
Allows you to specify the latitude value for the center of the geographic storage space.
Height
Allows you to specify the height value for the center of the geographic storage space.
Tab Options (Projection Storage Space)
Horizontal storage unit
This combination of a text box and unit-of-measure drop- down list allows you to specify the horizontal
storage unit for the projection storage space. The horizontal storage unit defines the distance between
sequential integer coordinate values. (For example, if the storage unit is 0.0001 ft., and the x coordinate of a
point changes from 1 to 2, the distance in the x direction of the change is 0.0001 ft.) The number used must
be greater than zero, and the default value is 1 meter (m).
Vertical storage unit
This combination of a text box and unit-of-measure drop- down list allows you to specify the vertical storage
unit for the geographic storage space. The vertical storage unit defines what the distance between
sequential Z coordinate values is. This option is only available when the base storage type is geographic or
projection. The number used must be greater than zero, and the default value is 1 meter (m).
When the dialog box is reached from the Define Coordinate System File executable, the horizontal
and vertical storage units you choose will be stored in the resulting .csf file and will be used for subsequent
editing of the .csf file.
Storage center
Allows you to offset the range of storage coordinates that is used. For example, you may want all
coordinates to be positive. A normal data set has a center of (0,0), which means no shifting is defined.
X
Allows you to specify the X value for the center of the projection storage space.
Y
Allows you to specify the Y value for the center of the projection storage space.
Height
Allows you to specify the height value for the center of the projection storage space.
Tab Options (Geocentric Storage Space)
Geocentric storage unit
This combination of a text box and unit-of-measure drop- down list allows you to specify the geocentric
storage unit for the geocentric storage space. For the coordinate system of a data source, the geocentric
storage unit defines what the distance between the sequential X, Y, or Z coordinate values is, when the base
storage type is geocentric. The number used must be greater than zero, and the default value is 1 meter
(m).
When the dialog box is reached from the Define Coordinate System File executable, the geocentric
storage unit you choose will be stored in the resulting .csf file and will be used for subsequent editing of
the .csf file.
Storage center
Allows you to offset the range of storage coordinates that is used. For example, you may want all

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coordinates to be positive. A normal data set has a center of (0,0), which means no shifting is defined.
X
Allows you to specify the X value for the center of the geocentric storage space.
Y
Allows you to specify the Y value for the center of the geocentric storage space.
Z
Allows you to specify the Z value for the center of the geocentric storage space.

See Also

Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box

General Tab
Projection Space Tab
Projection Parameters Dialog Box
Geographic Space Tab
Reference Ellipsoid Parameters Dialog Box
Units and Formats Tab

Projection Space Tab

Allows you to select a projection algorithm and to define projection parameters that are unique to the
selected algorithm.
Tab Options
Projection algorithm
Allows you to select from the list of valid projection algorithms. Some projection algorithms, such as State
Plane 1927, also set the datum and ellipsoid .
Projection Parameters
Opens the Projection Parameters dialog box. The gadgets on the Projection Parameters dialog box
change depending on the projection algorithm you chose. This button is disabled if you select Rectangular
Grid, RC Jubail Plant Grid, or Krovak as your projection algorithm.

See Also

Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box

General Tab
Storage Space Tab
Projection Parameters Dialog Box
Geographic Space Tab
Reference Ellipsoid Parameters Dialog Box
Units and Formats Tab

Projection Parameters Dialog Box

Specifies the parameters for the selected projection algorithm, such as projection center and false easting,
northing. If no parameters are available for the selection projection, this dialog box is unavailable. The
gadgets on the Projection Parameters dialog box change depending on the projection algorithm you
choose. Some projection algorithms preset their parameter values. For these projections, the parameter

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values may be reviewed but may not be changed.

Dialog Box Options
Azimuth angle
The azimuth of the central line for oblique projections. Used to calculate the location of the line where the
cylindrical projection surface is tangent to the surface of the ellipsoid. For the Laborde, Oblique Mercator,
preset Hungarian (EOV and Oblique Cylindric), and preset Swiss projections, the azimuth angle is measured
at the map center. The azimuth is expressed in the default azimuth unit and precision set on the Units and
Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Azimuth angle at map center
The azimuth angle of the central line as measured at the map center for Oblique Mercator projections. This
text box is read-only when the Two points option is selected, in which case the displayed value is based
upon the definition of the central line and the latitude of the map center point. When the Map center and
azimuth angle option has been selected, this text box is read-write and the coordinates of the map center
and the azimuth angle at the map center are used to define the central line of the projection. The azimuth is
expressed in the default azimuth unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate
System dialog box.
Azimuth angle at skew origin
The azimuth of the central line as measured at the skew origin, which is approximately the intersection of the
central line with the equator. The azimuth is expressed in the default azimuth unit and precision set on the
Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Central line defined by
Specify how the oblique central line of the projection will be defined.
Two points
Select to define the central line by two points. When this option is selected, you must enter the longitude
and latitude of each point.
Map center and azimuth angle
Select to define the central line by map center and azimuth angle. When this option is selected, you
must type in the longitude and latitude of the map center.
False X
The X coordinate value assigned to the origin of the projection system for a set of data. False X (or False
easting) and False Y or (False northing) are constants added to the actual coordinate values for non-
geodetic reasons, such as to avoid negative coordinate values. False X and False Y values influence only
the appearance of the coordinates--not their geometry, distortions, accuracy, or usefulness. The coordinates
are expressed in the default projection unit and precision as defined on the Units and Formats tab of the
Coordinate System dialog box.
False X at skew origin
The X coordinate value assigned to the skew origin of the Rectified Skew Orthomorphic and Oblique
Mercator projections. The skew origin is approximately the intersection of the central line with the equator.
False X (or False easting) and False Y (or False northing) are constants added to the actual coordinate
values for non-geodetic reasons, such as to avoid negative coordinate values. False X and False Y values
influence only the appearance of the coordinates--not their geometry, distortions, accuracy, or usefulness.
The coordinates are expressed in the default projection unit and precision as defined on the Units and
Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
False Y
The Y coordinate value assigned to the origin of the projection system for a set of data. False X (or False
easting) and False Y (or False northing) are constants added to the actual coordinate values for non-
geodetic reasons, such as to avoid negative coordinate values. False X and False Y values influence only
the appearance of the coordinates--not their geometry, distortions, accuracy, or usefulness. The coordinates
are expressed in the default projection unit and precision as defined on the Units and Formats tab of the
Coordinate System dialog box.
False Y at skew origin
The Y coordinate value assigned to the skew origin of the Rectified Skew Orthomorphic and Oblique
Mercator projections. The skew origin is approximately the intersection of the central line with the equator.

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False X (or False easting) and False Y (or False northing) are constants added to the actual coordinate
values for non-geodetic reasons, such as to avoid negative coordinate values. False X and False Y values
influence only the appearance of the coordinates--not their geometry, distortions, accuracy, or usefulness.
The coordinates are expressed in the default projection unit and precision as defined on the Units and
Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Geometric height of origin
Allows you to type a value for the geometric height for the projection origin. The height is expressed in the
default height unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Geometric height of point 1
Allows you to type a value for the geometric height for the first of two points that will define the X-axis
azimuth. The height is expressed in the default height unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab
of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Geometric height of point 2
Allows you to type a value for the geometric height for the second of two points that will define the X-axis
azimuth. The height is expressed in the default height unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab
of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Geographic radius of standard circle
This text box is available when the projection origin is not at a pole. It allows you to define the geographic
radius of standard circle projection parameter. The radius is expressed in the default geographic unit and
precision as defined by the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box. When you
change the geographic radius of standard circle, the content of the Scale reduction factor at origin text box
is updated to reflect the changed projection geometry.
Hemisphere
Allows you to select the Northern or Southern hemisphere.
Latitude of map center
Latitude of the geographic point in the area of interest used to locate the central line for oblique projections
which use the skew origin for the actual projection origin. The latitude is expressed in the default geographic
unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Latitude of origin
The geographic point of the origin of the projection. The longitude/latitude of the projection origin specifies
the geographic location for the user-defined false easting, northing. The latitude is expressed in the default
geographic unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box. For
the Lambert Conformal Conic (1SP) projection algorithm, this parameter is sometimes referred to as the
single standard parallel. For the Stereographic projection algorithm, when the latitude of origin is at either
pole, the Latitude of true scale field is available, whereas when the latitude of origin is not at either pole, the
Geographic radius of standard circle field is available.
Latitude of points 1 and 2
The latitude of the two points that define the central line for oblique projections or that define the X-axis
azimuth for the Local Space Rectangular projection. These text boxes are available when the Two points
option for defining the central line or X-axis azimuth has been selected. The latitude is expressed in the
default geographic unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog
box.
Latitude of true scale
The latitude where the projection surface is tangent to or secant to the ellipsoid. It is also the line of true
scale. The latitude is expressed in the default geographic unit and precision as defined on the Units and
Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box. When you change the latitude of true scale, the content
of the Scale reduction factor at origin (or Scale reduction factor at pole) field is updated to reflect the
changed projection geometry.
For the Stereographic projection, this text box appears when the projection origin is at a pole.
Longitude of map center
Longitude of the geographic point in the area of interest used to locate the central line for oblique projections
which use the skew origin for the actual projection origin. The longitude is expressed in the default
geographic unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.

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Longitude of origin
The geographic point of the origin of the projection. The longitude/latitude of the projection origin specifies
the geographic location for the user-defined false easting, northing. The longitude of this point is used as the
central meridian of the projection. The longitude is expressed in the default geographic unit and precision
set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Longitude of points 1 and 2
The longitude of the two points that define the central line for oblique projections or that define the X-axis
azimuth for the Local Space Rectangular projection. These text boxes are available when the Two points
option for defining the central line or X-axis azimuth has been selected. The longitude is expressed in the
default geographic unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog
box.
Official standard transformed parallel 1
The first of two standard parallels for Bipolar Oblique Conic Conformal. The parallel is expressed in the
default geographic unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog
box.
Official standard transformed parallel 2
The second of two standard parallels for Bipolar Oblique Conic Conformal. The parallel is expressed in the
default geographic unit and precision set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog
box.
Scale reduction factor
The value of the scale factor at a given standard location (which may vary with the projection); controls the
distribution of scale distortions on the map; and when a value other than 1.0 is used, geometrically indicates
the reduction of the projection surface so that the surface becomes secant to rather than tangent to the
ellipsoid.
Scale reduction factor along longitude of origin
The value of the scale factor at a given standard location. The standard location is anywhere along the
meridian passing through the longitude of origin for British National Grid,Transverse Mercator, Universal
Transverse Mercator, Gauss-Boaga, Gauss Conformal (South Africa), Gauss-Kruger, HR_HDKS, Japan
Plane Rectangular, KKJ, MK_TM, New Zealand Transverse Mercator, RT 90, SI_TM, and SWEREF 99.
Scale reduction factor at map center
The value of the scale factor at a given standard location. The standard location is the map center for
Rectified Skew Orthomorphic and Oblique Mercator.
Scale reduction factor at origin
Define the unitless scale reduction factor that applies at the projection origin. For the Stereographic
projection, when the origin is at a pole and you change the scale reduction factor, the content of the Latitude
of true scale text box is updated to reflect the changed projection geometry. When the projection origin is
not at a pole and you change the scale reduction factor, the content of the Geographic radius of standard
circle text box is updated to reflect the changed projection geometry
Scale reduction factor at parallels
The value of the scale factor at a given standard location. The standard location is anywhere along the
standard transformed parallels for Bipolar Oblique Conic Conformal.
Scale reduction factor at the pole
The value of the scale factor at a given standard location. The standard location is the North Pole for North
Polar Stereographic and the South Pole for South Polar Stereographic. For these projections, when you
change the scale reduction factor, the content of the Latitude of true scale text box is updated to reflect the
changed projection geometry.
Standard parallel
The line where the projection surface is tangent to or intersects the ellipsoid. This is also the line of true
scale. The parallel is expressed in the default geographic unit and precision set on the Units and Formats
tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Standard parallel 1
The first of two lines where the projection surface is tangent to or intersects the ellipsoid. These are also the

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lines of true scale. The parallel is expressed in the default geographic unit and precision set on the Units
and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
Standard parallel 2
The second of two lines where the projection surface is tangent to or intersects the ellipsoid. These are also
the lines of true scale. The parallel is expressed in the default geographic unit and precision set on the Units
and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
X-axis azimuth angle
If the X-axis azimuth defined by Angle keyin option is selected, this option allows you to type in the
azimuth of the X-axis of the projection. The azimuth is expressed in the default azimuth unit and precision
set on the Units and Formats tab of the Coordinate System dialog box.
X-axis azimuth defined by Angle keyin
Allows you to select to specify that the azimuth of the X-axis of the projection will be defined by angle keyin.
X-axis azimuth defined by Two points
Allows you to select to specify that the azimuth of the X-axis of the projection will be defined by two points.
Zone
Allows you to select a zone number for the Universal Transverse Mercator, Japan Plane Rectangular,
Gauss-Boaga, Gauss Conformal, Gauss-Kruger, HR_HDKS, and KKJ projection algorithms. Allows you to
select a zone name for the ARC (Equal Arc-second Raster Chart/Map), RT 90, and SWEREF 99 projection
algorithms. Changing the Zone value updates the remaining dialog box fields to reflect the parameter values
for the selected zone. In all cases, Zone is the only active option; the other fields are read-only. Additionally
for the ARC system, zone selection determines what fields are displayed, where non-polar zones are defined
with the Standard Parallel parameter and polar zones are not.
Zone name
Allows you to select the zone name corresponding to the zone number for State Plane projection algorithms.
Zone number
Allows you to select a zone number for State Plane projection algorithms.

See Also

Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box

General Tab
Storage Space Tab
Projection Space Tab
Geographic Space Tab
Reference Ellipsoid Parameters Dialog Box
Units and Formats Tab

Geographic Space Tab

Allows you to select horizontal and vertical datums and to review or select the associated reference ellipsoid.
It also allows you to review or to define parameters associated with the selected ellipsoid. Standard ellipsoids
are linked to a predefined spheroid model.
Tab Options
Geodetic datum
Allows you to define the horizontal geodetic datum for the coordinate system. For the ARC (Equal Arc-
second Raster Chart/Map), British National Grid, Budapest Stereographic, EOV, the three Hungarian
Oblique Cylindric systems, HR_HDKS, both Japan Plane Rectangular systems, KKJ, MK_TM, the New
Brunswick Stereographic (ATS77) system, New Zealand Map Grid, New Zealand Transverse Mercator, RC
Jubail Plant Grid, RD (Amersfoort), RT 90, SI_TM, Spherical Mercator for Visualization, State Plane 1927,
SWEREF 99, and both Switzerland LV systems, the geodetic datum is preset and cannot be changed. For
the State Plane 1983 projection algorithm, the datum is preset to the North American 1983 datum and may

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be changed only to the North American 1983 - HARN datum or to the NAD83(NSRS2007) datum. For the
New Brunswick Stereographic (NAD83) system, the datum is preset to the North American 1983 datum and
may be changed only to the NAD83(CSRS) datum. For the Gauss-Boaga projection algorithm, the datum is
preset to the Rome 1940 datum and may be changed only to the Monte Mario datum. An exception for these
preset systems is that a named datum may be used with them provided that its base standard datum is the
appropriate preset datum. When you select a geodetic datum, the associated reference ellipsoid appears in
the Reference ellipsoid box.
The drop-down list contains all of the standard (predefined) and named (configurable) geodetic
datums available on the system. Named horizontal geodetic datums are defined in the
file ..\config\NamedHDatum.ini.
Reference ellipsoid
Displays the reference ellipsoid associated with the geodetic datum you selected. You can change the
ellipsoid only if the geodetic datum is set to user-defined (non-standard). The selection upon initial display is
based upon the ellipsoid of the given coordinate system.
Ellipsoid Parameters
Opens the Reference Ellipsoid Parameters dialog box. This dialog box allows you to review the
parameters for the ellipsoid. Default parameter values are supplied per datum and ellipsoid selection. You
may change the ellipsoid parameters only if the ellipsoid is set to user-defined (non-standard).
Vertical datum
Allows you to define the vertical datum. For the RC Jubail Plant Grid system the vertical datum is preset and
cannot be changed. The selection in the drop-down list upon initial display is based on the vertical datum
string property of the given coordinate system.
Vertical datum reference
This read-only field allows you to review the reference of the vertical datum. This information comes from
the coordinate system being defined and is presented as a string. The three possible string values are
Geoid (orthometric), Ellipsoid (geometric), and Unspecified. The vertical datum reference is derived from
the vertical datum selection.

See Also

Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box

General Tab
Storage Space Tab
Projection Space Tab
Projection Parameters Dialog Box
Reference Ellipsoid Parameters Dialog Box
Units and Formats Tab

Reference Ellipsoid Parameters Dialog Box

Specifies the default parameters based on the selected datum and ellipsoid . The ellipsoid parameters
cannot be modified unless you choose user- defined as the reference ellipsoid. You can modify user-
defined ellipsoid parameters by entering an equatorial radius value and any other parameter. The software
automatically calculates the remaining values for you.
Dialog Box Options
Equatorial radius
The equatorial radius in distance units.
Polar radius
The polar radius in distance units.
Eccentricity
The eccentricity value, which has no units.

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Flattening
The flattening value, which has no units.
Flattening inverse
The flattening inverse value, which has no units. When the ellipsoid is defined as a perfect sphere, the
flattening inverse is infinite and this field displays the value “infinite – sphere”. To define such a sphere, set
either Eccentricity or Flattening to zero.

See Also

Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box

General Tab
Storage Space Tab
Projection Space Tab
Projection Parameters Dialog Box
Geographic Space Tab
Units and Formats Tab

Units and Formats Tab

Allows you to set values for measurement units and options and for options that control the presentation of
coordinates. Applications may use these settings within commands that perform measurement or that display
or accept formatted coordinate values.
Tab Options
Default units and precision
These options apply to each coordinate type. The type chosen and then the applicable unit and precision
may be selected.
Type
Specifies the coordinate type for which default units and precision are set. Each unit type used by the
software is listed. When the software outputs values of the specified unit type, those values, by default,
will be displayed using the units and precision specified here. Some commands allow you to override
these defaults.
Unit
Displays the linear, areal, or angular unit of measure. The choices vary with the unit type.
Precision
Defines the number of decimal places of precision in the coordinate readout or applicable measurement
commands. A separate precision may be specified for each unit type.
Measurement interpretation
Specifies how Earth curvature and nominal map scale are accounted for in measurements and coordinate
calculations.
True (spheroidal)
Specifies that ground measurements should take into account Earth curvature when calculating
distance/area/azimuth (bearing) measurements and coordinate calculations. This method is also referred
to as the geographic method of measurement. These measurements do not contain any projection
distortions.
Projected (planar)
Specifies that ground measurements should not take into account Earth curvature when calculating
distance/area/azimuth (bearing) measurements and coordinate calculations. This method is also referred
to as the projection method of measurement. These measurements are affected by projection
distortions. Projected (planar) is the default setting.

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Paper (scaled)
This option, when available, specifies that distance/area/azimuth (bearing) measurements are computed
on the paper plane that is scaled in relation to the projection plane at the current nominal map scale.
Example
The picture box shows an example of the active measurement method.
Geographic coordinate format
Axis order
Specifies the order of latitude and longitude coordinate readouts. These options apply if the coordinate
type has been set to Geographic. The choices for axis ordering are Longitude/Latitude and
Latitude/Longitude.
Positive axes
Specifies the positive direction of the two axes. The choices are dependent upon the axis order.
Projection coordinate format
Axis order
Specifies the ordering of projection east/west and north/south values. The choices for axis ordering are
East/West,North/South and North/South,East/West.
Positive axes
Specifies the positive direction of the two axes. For example, +East, +North indicates that the first
coordinate of the pair is positive along the East axis, and that the second coordinate is positive along the
North axis. Similarly, +East, +South indicates that the first coordinate of the pair is positive along the
East axis, but that the second coordinate is positive along the South axis. In this case, the positive
second value would be “down” instead of “up”. This option applies to the Projection coordinate type. The
order selection choices are dependent upon the axis order.
Azimuth settings
Specifies the direction and starting point when setting and displaying azimuths. An azimuth is a way of
specifying an angle by measuring either clockwise or counter-clockwise from 0 to 360 degrees. For example,
using West as your starting point and going clockwise 90 degrees would give you due North. These options
apply to the distance and azimuth readouts and keyins.
Direction
Specifies the direction to use when setting and displaying azimuths. Select clockwise or
counterclockwise.
Start from
Specifies the direction to use as a starting point when setting and displaying azimuths. Select North,
South, East, or West.

See Also

Coordinate System Definition Dialog Box

General Tab
Storage Space Tab
Projection Space Tab
Projection Parameters Dialog Box
Geographic Space Tab
Reference Ellipsoid Parameters Dialog Box

file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/~hhD89.htm 15-03-2023