How To: Define a custom projection for a geodatabase

Summary

This article describes how to define a custom projection for a geodatabase using ArcToolBox.

Procedure

As an example, we will use the Wisconsin Tranverse Mercator projection with the following parameters as the custom projection:

Map Projection: Transverse Mercator
Central Meridian: -90
Latitude of Origin: 0
Scale Factor: 0.9996
False Easting: 520,000
False Northing: -4,480,000
Units: Meter
Datum: NAD 1983

1. Start ArcToolBox.
2. Open Data Management Tools > Projections toolbox.
3. Double-click Define Projection Wizard (shapefiles, geodatabases).
4. Click the Browse icon and navigate to the location of the geodatabase.
5. Select the feature class and click the Add button.
6. Click Next.
7. Click Select Coordinate System.
8. Click New in the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box.
9. Select the projection in the popup window. Projected applies to the Wisconsin Transverse Mercator projection example.
10. Type a name for the new projection.
11. Set Name to Transverse_Mercator.
12. Type the parameters for the projection. See the parameters for the Wisconsin Transverse Mercator projection listed above.
13. Set the Linear Unit to Meter.
14. Click the Select button to load the Geographic Coordinate System.
15. Open the North America folder.
16. Select North American Datum 1983.prj and click Add.
17. Click OK.
18. Click Apply and OK to close the Spatial Reference dialog.
19. Click Next.
20. Review the Summary and click Finish.

Related Information

• Define a projection for a shapefile to a predefined coordinate system