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A practical course on working confidently with projections, coordinate systems, and datum transformations in ArcGIS. Participants learn how to identify spatial reference systems correctly, combine geospatial data with positional accuracy, and resolve common projection problems systematically.
You will learn the fundamentals of geographic and projected coordinate systems and examine spatial reference systems commonly used in Germany. You will define and transform geospatial data, select appropriate datum transformations, and assess how different settings affect positional accuracy.
You will also work with entries from the EPSG database, manage the coordinate systems of CAD and raster data, and examine spatial reference and accuracy settings within geodatabases.
By the end of the course, you will be able to apply projections and coordinate systems confidently in ArcGIS, transform data correctly, and identify and resolve errors in spatial alignment.
• Distinguish between geographic and projected coordinate systems
• Identify and select spatial reference systems commonly used in Germany (customisable)
• Recognise missing or incorrectly defined coordinate systems
• Transform geospatial data into different coordinate systems correctly
• Select suitable geographic or datum transformations
• Investigate positional discrepancies and projection errors systematically
• Use EPSG codes and the EPSG database for research
• Manage coordinate systems for vector, raster, and CAD data
• Consider spatial reference and accuracy settings within geodatabases
• Transform data from Gauss–Krüger and DHDN to UTM and ETRS89
• Basic knowledge of ArcGIS Pro or ArcMap
• Experience working with layers and geospatial data
• A basic understanding of spatial data and maps
• Advanced mathematical or geodetic knowledge is not required
*We customize the course outline and content to your specific needs and relevant use cases.
Module 1: Fundamentals of Spatial Reference Systems
• Why geospatial data requires a spatial reference system
• Distinguishing geographic and projected coordinate systems
• Understanding datums, ellipsoids, projections, and coordinate units
• Longitude and latitude compared with Cartesian coordinates
• Effects of projections on shape, area, distance, and direction
• Importance of positional accuracy and map scale
• Examining spatial reference information in ArcGIS
Module 2: Coordinate Systems Used in Germany
• Historical and current spatial reference systems
• The German Main Triangulation Network and DHDN
• Gauss–Krüger coordinate systems and meridian zones
• The European Terrestrial Reference System ETRS89
• UTM zones and their use in Germany
• Understanding official and regional coordinate systems
• Recognising differences between systems using practical data
Module 3: Identifying and Defining Coordinate Systems in ArcGIS
• Checking the spatial reference of a dataset
• Examining layer and map properties
• Identifying missing projection information
• Understanding the difference between defining and projecting data
• Identifying an unknown coordinate system from coordinate values and reference data
• Assigning coordinate systems correctly
• Correcting incorrectly defined spatial references
Module 4: On-the-Fly Projection and Map Display
• Understanding dynamic projection in ArcGIS
• Defining the coordinate system of a map
• Displaying datasets with different spatial references together
• Reviewing automatically suggested transformations
• Effects of the map projection on display and measurements
• Recognising the limitations of on-the-fly projection
• Creating a consistent spatial basis for analysis and output
Module 5: Transforming Geospatial Data
• Tools for projecting vector and raster data
• Selecting input and output coordinate systems
• Creating new datasets with the correct spatial reference
• Projecting individual datasets and collections of data
• Distinguishing geometric projection from datum transformation
• Checking results against suitable reference data
• Managing source and transformed datasets clearly
Module 6: Datum Transformations and Positional Accuracy
• Understanding the role of geodetic datums
• Why changing the projection alone may not be sufficient
• Selecting geographic or datum transformations
• Understanding transformation direction and parameters
• Considering the geographical area of validity
• Assessing how different transformations affect positional accuracy
• Documenting and checking transformation workflows
Module 7: DHDN, Gauss–Krüger, ETRS89, and UTM
• Differences between DHDN and ETRS89
• Transforming Gauss–Krüger data to ETRS89/UTM
• Selecting suitable target zones and coordinate systems
• Recognising shifts caused by unsuitable transformations
• Understanding official transformation approaches
• Using BETA2007 to transform DHDN data to ETRS89
• Checking results against reference points or comparison datasets
Module 8: Custom Datum Transformations
• Applications of custom transformations
• Understanding transformation methods and parameters
• Integrating grid-based transformation files
• Configuring a custom transformation in ArcGIS
• Considering transformation direction and reversibility
• Documenting and distributing custom transformations
• Checking accuracy using suitable test data
Module 9: Identifying and Resolving Projection Errors
• Common symptoms of incorrect coordinate systems
• Data appearing in the wrong location or not appearing at all
• Investigating offsets between layers from different sources
• Recognising incorrect units, zones, and meridian strips
• Distinguishing missing definitions from incorrect definitions
• Identifying unsuitable datum transformations
• Isolating and correcting errors systematically
• Documenting corrections and safeguarding data quality
Module 10: Working with the EPSG Database
• Purpose and structure of the EPSG register
• Finding EPSG codes for coordinate systems
• Distinguishing spatial reference systems with similar names
• Interpreting information about datum, projection, unit, and area of use
• Comparing EPSG entries with spatial references in ArcGIS
• Selecting suitable systems for data import and exchange
• Recording EPSG codes clearly in metadata
Module 11: Projections for CAD Data
• Characteristics of CAD files in a GIS environment
• Managing CAD data without a defined spatial reference
• Considering drawing units and local coordinate systems
• Positioning CAD data using known reference points
• Using projection files for CAD datasets
• Converting CAD data into suitable geodatabase formats
• Checking the position and scale of converted data
Module 12: Projections and Georeferencing for Raster Data
• Checking the spatial reference and cell size of raster datasets
• Understanding raster projection and resampling
• Selecting suitable resampling methods for continuous and categorical data
• Georeferencing maps and images without spatial references
• Using control points and transformations
• Assessing residual errors and positional differences
• Combining raster and vector data with positional accuracy
Module 13: Coordinate Systems and Accuracy in Geodatabases
• Spatial references of feature classes and feature datasets
• Consistent coordinate systems within a feature dataset
• Understanding XY, Z, and M resolution
• Interpreting tolerances and accuracy settings
• Effects of spatial references on topology and geoprocessing
• Importing data with different coordinate systems into a geodatabase
• Selecting an appropriate spatial reference for new data structures
Module 14: Practical Project – Combining Datasets Correctly
• Examining the spatial references of several datasets
• Identifying unknown or incorrectly defined coordinate systems
• Selecting a suitable target projection and datum transformation
• Transforming vector, raster, or CAD data
• Checking positional accuracy against reference datasets
• Identifying and correcting projection errors
• Documenting transformation steps and EPSG information
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