map grid parameters

Map Grid/Graticule Parameters

Option on map toolbar or by right clicking on map window. This can give you up to 5 grids:

Lat/long graticule, primary datum
Lat/long graticule, secondary datum. You can only see this if the pixel spacing on the map is less than the datum shift.
UTM grid, primary datum This will not appear until the map is sufficiently large scale.
UTM grid, secondary datum. You can only see this if the pixel spacing on the map is less than the datum shift. The shift in UTM is different than in geographic coordinates.
The projection's native grid, helpful for systems like SPCS or the conic projections.

You can set the color and line width for each to try to differentiate. However, these are designed to allow you to display the correct, single grid, and for educational purposes to see the relationships of the different grids.

Window allows you to modify parameters of the grid on the map. You can:

Select UTM grid, lat/long graticule, both, or neither.
Select grids to show
- Primary datum grid.
- Secondary datum grid will be plotted. The datum for the main grids is selected in the Options form (Datum tab). The secondary datum only can be changed on this form. To change the primary datum you must close the map window, select the new primary datum in the Options from (Datum tab) and then reopen the map window.
- Native grid: for a DEM that uses an external projection file, such as UK OS grid or SPCS DEMs.
UTM grid settings
- Pick the maximum screen pixel size for the UTM grid, in meters. If you want something at much smaller scales, use Map projection zone options.
- Grid spacing.
Lat/long graticule settings
Labels inside map. This will use less space for the map compared to putting in the margin, but can overprint important map information.
Pick grid color and line weight for primary and secondary grids;
Pick intervals for both of the grids.
Change secondary datum.
Label KML--create a point shapefile, as a separate layer, with grid labels for KML export.
Short UTM: the labels can either be the full UTM, or just the two digit short form. The short form might be more legible on the Google Earth display.
KML export: exports grid/graticule to Google Earth.

Alternative Prepare printer image.

Grid Gallery--options illustrated

Last revised 4/5/2021