topic Re: Identifying & Defining Coord System in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Identifying & Defining Coord System

AmeliaNewsam — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:26:35 GMT

I'm trying to make a map package, and the error comes up "Layers dataset is using an unknown coordinate system." When I right-click and select "help" it takes me to an ESRI page (error 00047) where it first tells me I must

Define the coordinate system of the layer's dataset.

and then goes into detail on how to change the map's coordinate system, which is not what I need to do (the map is WGS 1984 UTM zone 10N). When I go into the source data in the layer properties, it does not indicate any way to change the coordinate system there. How can I do this? How can I know that it is the correct coordinate system? If I can't find the correct coordinate system, is that the end of my project?

Thanks,

Amy

Re: Identifying & Defining Coord System

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:30:56 GMT

in the toolbox... Define Projection—Data Management toolbox | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: Identifying & Defining Coord System

AmeliaNewsam — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:35:02 GMT

Thanks Dan - as usual, I came upon this the moment I posted the question.

Trying it out now. Not sure what happens though if I define it as the

wrong coordinate system. Guess I'll find out.

Re: Identifying & Defining Coord System

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:51:20 GMT

yes... make sure you define it as what it IS and NOT what you want it to be

A visual guide

/blogs/dan_patterson/2016/09/07/define-projection-vs-project-a-visual-guide

Re: Identifying & Defining Coord System

AmeliaNewsam — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:56:03 GMT

thanks.

Re: Identifying & Defining Coord System

MervynLotter — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 19:41:39 GMT

If you are not sure what the projection of your shapefile/raster should be,

I find it is easier to include other shapefiles with a known projection (or

an ESRI basemap) within your map view, and then change the projection of

your map view until your unknown shapefile matches up perfectly with your

background data, then bingo, you have your projection to use in the Define

projection tool as Dan suggested.

Re: Identifying & Defining Coord System

AmeliaNewsam — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 20:32:39 GMT

That's a great idea, thanks Mervyn!