HOW TO

Install a new NTv2 geographic transformation and grid file for use in ArcGIS Pro

Last Published: January 27, 2023

Summary

The National Transformation version 2 (NTv2) is a standard binary grid shift (.GSB) file format. Some NTv2 geographic transformations require files that are not installed with ArcGIS Pro. The geographic transformation and grid files can be downloaded and installed with the ArcGIS Coordinate System Data software component from My Esri. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Install supplementary coordinate system files to download the files.

However, ArcGIS Pro does not distribute the grid files for certain grid-based geographic transformations due to license restrictions. For Canada, the geographic transformation and grid files are not included in the Esri software installation and are not available to be downloaded from My Esri as the Canadian provinces charge for these files. Users can obtain these files from each provincial government or Esri Canada. Refer to FAQ: Where can I get datum transformation grids for Canada? to obtain the NTv2 geographic transformation and grid file.

This article provides the workflow to install the NTv2 geographic transformation and grid file in ArcGIS Pro.

Procedure

  1. Open File Explorer, navigate to and open the ntv2 folder.
C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\Resources\pedata\ntv2
  1. In the ntv2 folder, create a new folder and name the folder with the name of the country where the transformation will be applied. In this example, a folder for Canada is created.
Canada folder created in the ntv2 folder.
Note:
The new folder name must be a single word and in lowercase letters. No spaces are permitted in the folder name.
  1. Copy the NTv2 geographic transformation file and paste it into the folder.
Option to copy the NTv2 geographic transformation file.
  1. Open an ArcGIS Pro project.
  2. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click the Create Custom Geographic Transformation tool. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Run a tool in the Geoprocessing pane for instructions.
  3. In the Create Custom Geographic Transformation pane, configure the parameters as follows:
    1. For Geographic Transformation Name, specify a name for the transformation. The transformation name cannot contain spaces, use underscores instead. The transformation name is in the format ‘Input_GCS_To_Output_GCS’.
    2. For Input Geographic Coordinate System, click Select coordinate system The Select coordinate system icon., and select the starting geographic coordinate system in the Coordinate System window.
    3. For Output Geographic Coordinate System, click Select coordinate system The Select coordinate system icon., and select the final geographic coordinate system in the Coordinate System window.
Note:
To determine the best geographic transformation for data, refer to How To: Select the correct geographic (datum) transformation when projecting between datums for more information. The list includes an alphabetical list of all transformations that are available for each version of the software, the published accuracy of the transformation (in meters), and both a text description, and coordinates, describing the extent to which that transformation can be used. If the data falls outside the area the transformation is defined for, the data is not transformed.
  1. From the Custom Geographic Transformation drop-down list, select NTv2.
  2. Click Run. The custom transformation file is created in C:\Users\<user profile>\AppData\Roaming\Esri\ArcGISPro\ArcToolbox\CustomTransformations.
The Create Custom Geographic Transformation tool pane to be configured.
  1. Close and relaunch ArcGIS Pro to use the new transformation.
Note:
The NTv2 geographic transformation and grid files are not removed when ArcGIS Pro is uninstalled.

Article ID:000029167

Software:
  • ArcGIS Pro 3 0
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 8 x
  • ArcGIS Pro 2 x

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