Pitney Bowes MapInfo Professional - Manual (Page 403)

For example, to add a new Universal Transverse Mercator projection (Australian Map Grid using
AGD66 datum), scroll down to that entry and type the new projection at the end of the list.
Adding a Line in the MAPINFOW.PRJ File
4. On a new line, type the new parameter entries based on the required parameters described for that
projection type in the table Projections and Their Parameters .
• If the name of your projection does not appear in the Common Map Projections list, consider the
kind of projection you are creating (Latitude/Longitude, Conic, Transverse, etc.) and follow the
table entries for the type of projection you want.
• Remember to include constant values ( Accounting for Affine Transformations and Explicit
Bounds in Projection Types ) to indicate an affine transformation, specific bounds, or both if
appropriate or necessary.
The order of parameters is vitally important. Remember to separate each parameter with
a comma. Note:
5. Save your edited MAPINFOW.PRJ file in the directory in your user directory.
In the past the MAPINFOW.PRJ file was saved in your installation directory but this did not allow
different users to have different PRJ files. This new file placement permits this. Note:
Things to keep in mind when editing the MAPINFOW.PRJ file:
• You must record the X and Y coordinates of the origin point in decimal degrees.
• Remember to include a negative sign for west longitudes and south latitudes.
• You must list the origin longitude first in the MAPINFOW.PRJ file entry.
• Carry out decimals to at least five (5) places for greater accuracy.
• Do not use commas to represent thousands or millions in large numbers. Only use commas to separate
parameters from one another.
• When specifying projection, datum and units, use the number that represents the parameter. These
numbers are listed in the table for each parameter earlier in this section. In our example, 6 represents
Equidistant Conic projection; 74 represents NAD 83 datum, and 7 represents meters.
Using the New Projection in a Coordinate System
Once you have created this new projection, you can use it in a Map window to replace the coordinate
system you are using.
1. Open the map for which you want to change projections.
2. From the Map menu, select Options to display the Map Options dialog box.
3. Click the Projections button to display the Choose Projection dialog box.
To change the projection of a tab file and all of the map objects in it, use the File > Save Copy
As command and select the new projection. Note:
403 MapInfo Professional User Guide
Chapter 15: Working with Coordinate Systems and Projections