Using the Projection Utility Wizard

This training will walk through the steps involved with reprojecting shapefiles using the ArcView Projection Utility.  It utilizes a data set for SE Idaho and has an example the projection process from the Idaho Transverse Mercator projection (a customized state projection) to a Universal Transverse Mercator projection (a standard projection).

Step 1 - Load the Extension under File/Extensions

Once the Projection Extension is loaded, it is not necessary to repeat Step 1 for each projection

Step 2 - With a View selected, use the Extension under File/ArcView Projection Utility

This screen then appears while the extension is loading (this can take a while!)

Step 3 - Select the shapefiles to work with

Step 4 - Establish the input coordinate parameters

Name Information - use this configuration for an input projection of IDTM

Parameters Information - use this configuration for an input projection of IDTM

Datum Information - use this configuration for an input projection of IDTM

Ellipsoid Information - use this configuration for an input projection of IDTM

Step 5 - Save the parameters if needed

This saves a file with a [shapefile].prj naming convention.  It is handy to then use this file the next time a projection is made so that the user does not have to go through the input parameters.  The disadvantage is if you make a mistake in the input parameters then the .prj file will contain erroneous information and will have to be deleted before another projection can be made.

Step 6 - Establish the output coordinate parameters

Name Information - use this configuration for an output projection of UTM (Zone 11)

Parameters Information - use this configuration for an output projection of UTM (Zone 11)

Datum Information - use this configuration for an output projection of UTM (Zone 11)

Ellipsoid Information - use this configuration for an output projection of UTM (Zone 11)

Give a name for the resultant new shapefile.

Step 7 - Review all of the projection parameters

Step 8 - Sit back and let the software do the processing!

Step 9 - Add the data to a View to check on quality of transformation

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