Getting Started: Transform a Coordinate System Using the MAP View Editor

Welcome back to the MAPublisher Getting Started video series, a tutorial-focused introduction to the MAPublisher workspace. In this video, we focus on performing a coordinate system transformation using the MAP View Editor. We also show you how to edit the scale of the MAP View, as well as fine-tuning the positioning and rotation. Use the video summary notes below to help you follow along.

Basic Coordinate System Transformations Using the MAP View Editor

When importing data, you can check the Advanced section of the Import window to view which coordinate system has been identified for the file you are importing. The data being used for this tutorial uses the WGS 84 coordinate system, which is a very commonly used unprojected coordinate system.

After importing your data, you can open the MAP Views panel and double-click the MAP View to open the MAP View Editor. The MAP View Editor allows you to view and change the name, coordinate system and scale of your MAP View, as well as change its rotation and position on your artboard. It is also where coordinate system transformations are performed.

To transform the coordinate system of your MAP View, you can simply check the Perform Coordinate System Transformation box and click the “[No Coordinate System Specified]” link. In the Specify Destination Coordinate System dialog box, you can choose from a multitude of coordinate systems to convert your data to. In this tutorial, the coordinate system used was found under Projected > UTM > NAD83, and NAD83 / UTM zone 17N was selected.

The preview pane displays how the new coordinate system will fit to the page. Upon clicking OK, the MAP View is transformed from WGS 84 to NAD83 / UTM zone 17N. Transformations do affect the data geometry on the page as map art is redrawn to match the properties of the new coordinate system.

Editing Scale, Position and Angle of a MAP View

You can also use the MAP View Editor to edit the scale and position of your MAP View. For example, if you want to change the map scale to 1:35,000, you can do so by typing “35000” in the Scale box.

In the Positioning section, you can use the Quick alignment tab to position your data on the page in pre-determined positions. There are nine squares in the alignment grid indicating positions on the artboard. If you would like your data to be centered, you can select the center square to reposition the data accordingly. You can also use the Fine-tuning tab to incrementally adjust the position of your data or enter a specific location on the page. As you make changes, you will notice the preview pane will show the new data extents and the page anchor values will be automatically updated.

Finally, you can rotate the MAP View. In the Angle box, you can type a number between 0 and 360 to specify an angle of rotation. The angle of the MAP View will be adjusted based on this specification.

An important thing to note is that spatial referencing has not been affected because the MAP View Editor was used to scale, reposition, and/or rotate the data. All referencing remains intact throughout this process.

Please visit the Transform a Coordinate System Using the MAP View Editor tutorial page for this video to follow along with detailed descriptions. For more helpful tutorials like this one for MAPublisher, check out our Support Centre!