Coordinate Systems

XMS programs work in a single coordinate system. The user selects what system will be used using the Edit | Coordinate System menu command.

Both a horizontal and vertical system are specified. Many numerical models work in a local system, so there may not be a problem if the user does not know what coordinate system the data is referenced to. If the desired model requires a global system, or the base data is referenced to more than one system, the modeler must determine the coordinate systems involved.

Since data can be gathered and referenced to various coordinate systems, XMS allows the user to convert data from one coordinate system into another. The Coordinate Conversions page describes how to do this. The available systems and units include:

Horizontal System

The options to the right of the dialog change as the horizontal system is changed. For example, the hemisphere is required for a Geographic system and a UTM zone is required for a UTM system.

• Local
• Geographic
• UTM
• State Plane
• CPP

Local is the default horizontal and vertical system. Unless the user desires to convert data to another system, it is not necessary to change the system from Local.

Horizontal Units

The horizontal units can be specified for all systems except Geographic, which uses decimal degrees. The units set here are the units used by the models such as RMA2.

• U.S. Survey Feet
• International Feet
• Meters

Ellipsoid

The Ellipsoid options are only available for non-NAD/HPGN/CPP systems. The ellipsoid can be selected for a region of the world. Changing the ellipsoid changes the minor and major radii of the earth, measurements used in performing conversions. To set the radii for an ellipsoid not included in XMS, select the User Defined ellipsoid and a button appears titled Define. Clicking on the button brings up a dialog where the radii are defined. The Major and Minor Radii (a and b, respectively) are defined in meters only. The Minor Radius can be input directly or defined by specifying the ellipsoid flattening (1/f) or eccentricity squared (e2) variables, where

${\frac {1}{f}}={\frac {(a-b)}{a}}\quad {\text{ and }}\quad e^{2}=1-{\frac {b^{2}}{a^{2}}}$

Vertical System

The supported vertical options are for North America. If a non-NAD/HPGN horizontal system is selected, this option is disabled.

• Local
• NGVD 29
• NAVD 88

Vertical Units

The vertical unit is only used for conversions. Area and volume calculations performed by XMS use the horizontal units.

• U.S. Survey Feet
• International Feet
• Meters

See also

• Single Point Conversion
• Coordinate Conversions

External Links

• Introduction to Tidal and Geodetic Vertical Datums and Datum Computations - Presentations available here

Coordinate Conversions

UTM Coordinate System: Africa · Asia · Australia · Europe · North America · South America
State Plane Coordinate System: Alaska · Hawaii · Mideast · Midwest · New England · Northwest · South Central · Southeast · Southwest · Virginia Area
Geographic Coordinate System