Identifying & Defining Coord System

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6
11-04-2016 11:26 AM
AmeliaNewsam
Occasional Contributor

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

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6 Replies
DanPatterson_Retired
MVP Emeritus
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AmeliaNewsam
Occasional Contributor

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.

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DanPatterson_Retired
MVP Emeritus

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 

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AmeliaNewsam
Occasional Contributor

thanks.

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MervynLotter
Occasional Contributor III

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.

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AmeliaNewsam
Occasional Contributor

That's a great idea, thanks Mervyn!

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