Arbitrary Shape File Coordinate Shift

To perform an arbitrary shift in shape file coordinates:

• Insure the shape file is in UTM coordinates;
• Find the amount of the shift to apply:
  • Plot the map with the shape file; insure that your primary map datum is the one you want to use.
  • Use the Calculate distance tool
  • The dialog will give you the shift in both x and y directions.
  • Take several well defined points spread over the map, and average the results.  If the numbers for the shift are not consistent, this is not the primary problem.
• Shift the coordinate with the "Resample, Shape File, Specify Shift" menu choice on the data manipulation form.
• Set the shift in meters in the x and y direction.

Last revision 4/12/2001