Map Projection Settings

  
Main: Project > Settings > Set Map Projection

A map projection is an attempt to portray the curved surface of the earth on a flat piece of paper or computer screen.  Map projections have two parts: the reference datum and the coordinate system.

The reference datum is a model of zero elevation, which is used to calculate latitude and longitude for a point on the Earth's surface (see the Datum tab help screen).  The coordinate system essentially is a set of coordinates that transforms latitude and longitude on a globe into XYs on a flat map (see the Standard or Custom coordinate system tab help screen).  

To view and change a Petra project's map projection:
  • Main: Project>Settings>Set Map Projection…
  • Click embim1button on the Project tab.

Details tab

Shows the project's current map projection

Custom (Coordinate System) option

Provides backwards compatibility for Petra projects older than October 2008 and obscure coordinate systems not included in the Standard coordinate system list.

Standard (Coordinate System) option

Standard Coordinate systems cover the vast majority of projections used in the oil and gas industry

Datum tab

Selects the project area and reference datums for:

  • The project
  • Imported data

Units tab

Sets the units of measurement (US Feet or Meters) for the entire projects.

Quadrant tab

Corrects incorrectly positive latitude and longitude values during import

Map Rotation tab

Rotates the entire map projection.

This process changes the map projection, and consequently the XY coordinates of all the data inside that project.

Convert Crds tab

Provides a quick way to convert specific points on a map into different forms and datums

Lock/Unlock tab

Prevents any changes from being made to the Petra project's map projection

Advanced tab

Re-projects the entire project to use a new reference datum and coordinate system

File tab

Saves specific map projections and establishes a default map projection for all new projects
Related Topics

Modifying an Existing Coordinate System

Creating a Coordinate System from Scratch

Creating a Coordinate System Set by Data Limits