Create Custom Geographic Transformation (Data Management)

AllSource 1.0    |

Summary

Creates a transformation method for converting data between two geographic coordinate systems or datums. The output of this tool can be used as a transformation method for any tool with a parameter that requires a geographic transformation.

Usage

  • All custom geographic transformation files are saved with a .gtf extension and stored in the ESRI\<ArcGIS product>\ArcToolbox\CustomTransformations folder in the user's Application Data folder. The CustomTransformations folder is created by the tool if it does not exist. If the Application Data folder is read-only or hidden, the output is created in ArcToolbox\CustomTransformations in the user's temp folder. The location or name of the Application Data and temp folders is dependent on the operating system.

    • In any Windows operating system the Application Data folder is located in %appdata% and a user's Temp folder is located in %temp%. Entering %appdata% in a command window returns the Application Data folder location. Entering %temp% returns the temp folder location.
    • In Unix systems, the tmp and Application Data folders are located in the user's home directory, under $HOME and $TMP, respectively. Typing /tmp in a terminal returns the location.

  • Any geoprocessing tool that uses geographic transformations will look at all custom transformations in the default storage location and present them as valid transformation options on the dialog box under the Geographic Transformation parameter's drop-down list.

  • Custom transformation files can't be edited. They are binary files that store version and string length information that may be corrupted if edited outside of the geoprocessing framework. To update the file you should create a new custom geographic transformation and overwrite the existing file.

Parameters

LabelExplanationData Type
Geographic Transformation Name

Name of the custom transformation method.

All custom geographic transformation files are saved with a .gtf extension and stored in the ESRI\<ArcGIS product>\ArcToolbox\CustomTransformations folder in the user's Application Data folder. The CustomTransformations folder is created by the tool if it does not exist. If the Application Data folder is read-only or hidden, the output is created in ArcToolbox\CustomTransformations in the user's temp folder. The location or name of the Application Data and temp folders is dependent on the operating system.

  • In any Windows operating system the Application Data folder is located in %appdata% and a user's Temp folder is located in %temp%. Entering %appdata% in a command window returns the Application Data folder location. Entering %temp% returns the temp folder location.
  • In Unix systems, the tmp and Application Data folders are located in the user's home directory, under $HOME and $TMP, respectively. Typing /tmp in a terminal returns the location.

String
Input Geographic Coordinate System

The starting geographic coordinate system.

Coordinate System
Output Geographic Coordinate System

The final geographic coordinate system.

Coordinate System
Custom Geographic Transformation

Select a transformation method from the drop-down list that will be used to transform the data from the input geographic coordinate system to the output geographic coordinate system. Once chosen, its parameters will appear in the table for editing.

String

Environments

This tool does not use any geoprocessing environments.