I was wondering what the procedure is for creating a polygon (and/or a polyline) in ArcGIS, using a set of points based on coordinates in a csv file, and having the segments between the points represented by rhumb lines - thus accommodating for the earth's curvature.
Example:
I am in a geographic coordinate system (NAD83) add 4 points from a csv file using lats/longs. I then want to create rectangular shaped shapefile, where the north and south boundaries of the shapefile are parallel with lines of latitude, with the 4 vertices defined by 4 points from a csv file.
Once the points have been created, I normally use the 'Draw Polygon' tool in the 'Drawing' pulldown to create a polygon and then save it as a shapefile. I then edit the shapefile and snap the vertices to the points.
Next, say I want to use this shapefile in a map with a projected coordinate system, I'd like to see the north and south boundaries of the shapefile I just created to follow the curvature of the lines of latitude, but instead they show up as straight lines. The shape changes, to more like a square, which is normal, but the lines segments between the vertices don't bend to match the lines of latitude.
How do I overcome this? What is the best way to have create a shapefile that will bend to match a projected coordinate system? Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Mike
I think you want...
That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks very much, Dan. Have a great weekend!
Mike
Glad it worked Mike
Hi, Mike. There is a discussion that may help, located here:
https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/242825/choosing-between-densify-vs-geodetic-densify-tools