Basics of Map Projections (for ArcGIS 10)

Description

When starting a GIS mapping project, a crucial step is deciding which map projection to use. If the projection does not support the map's purpose, the map will be ineffective—or worse, misleading. This course explores major categories of map projections and their properties. You will learn which projections are commonly used for different types of GIS maps and how to choose an appropriate projection for a given mapping project.

• Watch a course preview demo

Who Should Attend

Students and professionals who need to understand fundamental map projection concepts in order to create effective GIS maps.

Learn How To

• Describe characteristics of different categories of map projections.
• Identify the distortion patterns of different map projections.
• Change the projection used by a map and assess the differences.
• Know what questions to ask before deciding which map projection to use.
• Choose an appropriate map projection for a specific part of the world and map purpose.

To complete course exercises, you need the following software:

• ArcGIS 10.0 for Desktop (ArcView, ArcEditor, or ArcInfo)

What is distortion?

• From coordinate systems to projections
• Types of distortion
• Test your understanding

Draping a map over a globe

• Characteristics of planar, cylindrical, and conic projections
• Terminology review
• Classifying projections
• Compare projections
• Choose the appropriate projection

Optimizing the globe's orientation

• Positioning the light source
• Examine perspective
• Introducing aspect
• Moving the map
• Choose the appropriate parameters

Choosing the best projection

• Popular projections
• Geographic coordinate systems revisited
• Scale and distortion
• Choose projections

• Completion of ArcGIS Desktop I: Getting Started with GIS or Getting Started with GIS (for ArcGIS 10) or equivalent knowledge is required.
• Completion of Basics of Geographic Coordinate Systems (for ArcGIS 10) or equivalent knowledge is recommended.