In order to perform coordinate transformations between NAD27 and NAD83 coordinate systems, MicroSurvey users need to specify the NAD27 to NAD83 gridshift file that is to be applied during coordinate transformations. The required gridshifts are provided with the gridshift packages that can be downloaded from the : World Grid Shift Files page, or by downloading from the gridshift library in some mobile products.
Canadians will use the file: .\Mapping\Canada\NAD83\Ntv2_0.gsb
Americans will use a combination of the las and los files found in: .\Mapping\USA\NADCON\
1a. The Canadian NTV2 Gridshift binary file is included with your installation of any desktop product, but if required you can access it or a newer realization from:
http://webapp.geod.nrcan.gc.ca/geod/tools-outils/applications.php?locale=en
The Gridshift will be saved to:
MicroSurvey CAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\MSCAD\YYYY\mscad\Mapping\Canada\NAD83\
embeddedCAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\embeddedCAD YYYY\mscad\Mapping\Canada\NAD83
inCAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\YYYY\mscad\Mapping\Canada\NAD83
SurveyTools for BricsCAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\SurveyTools XXXX for BricsCAD\mscad\Mapping\Canada\NAD83
STAR*NET: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet\V**\Mapping\Canada\NAD83
1b. The American las and los files are included with your installation of any desktop product, but if required you can access it or a newer realization from the NGS.
The Gridshift will be saved to:
MicroSurvey CAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\MSCAD\YYYY\mscad\Mapping\USA\NADCON
embeddedCAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\embeddedCAD YYYY\mscad\Mapping\USA\NADCON
inCAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\YYYY\mscad\Mapping\USA\NADCON
SurveyTools for BricsCAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\SurveyTools XXXX for BricsCAD\mscad\USA\NADCON
STAR*NET: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet\V**\Mapping\USA\NADCON
2. Mobile products require that you download and unzip a preconfigured Mapping support files package from this link and unzipped into your mapping folder:
FieldGenius Windows:
Tablet PC: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\FieldGenius\11\Mapping\
Windows Mobile or EC: <location varies> ProgramFiles\MicroSurveyFieldGenius\Programs\Mapping\
FieldGenius for Android:
(Most gridshift downloads are handled in the gridshift library)
<internal storage>\FieldGenius\Mapping\
3. Next, use a text editor such as Notepad to open the following file:
MicroSurvey CAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\MSCAD\YYYY\mscad\Mapping\Nad27toNad83.gdc
embeddedCAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\embeddedCAD YYYY\mscad\Mapping\Nad27toNad83.gdc
inCAD: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\YYYY\mscad\Mapping\Nad27toNad83.gdc
STAR*NET: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\StarNet\V**\Mapping\Nad27toNad83.gdc
or in FieldGenius Windows should be copied to:
FieldGenius Windows:
Tablet PC: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\FieldGenius\11\Mapping\Nad27toNad83.gdc
Windows Mobile or EC: <location varies> ProgramFiles\MicroSurveyFieldGenius\Programs\Mapping\Nad27toNad83.gdc
FieldGenius for Android
<internal storage>/FieldGenius/Mapping/Nad27toNad83.gdc
Canada Instructions:
The file is preconfigured assuming the Canadian Ntv2.0.gsb file is to be used:
#.\Canada\NAD83\GS27V1_1.dac#version 1 of Canadian National Transformation
.\Canada\NAD83\Ntv2_0.gsb#version 2 of Canadian National Transformation
#
# The rest of this is quite standard per the manual.
#
#.\USA\NADCON\Conus.l?s
#.\USA\NADCON\Alaska.l?s
#.\USA\NADCON\PrVi.l?s
#.\USA\NADCON\Hawaii.l?s
#.\USA\NADCON\STGEORGE.l?s
#.\USA\NADCON\STLRNC.l?s
#.\USA\NADCON\STPAUL.l?s
Check with NRCAN that you have the latest release of Ntv2.0.gsb, and if you do simply select a NAD27 system and start working.
USA Instructions:
The file requires modification to ensure it uses the las and los files found in the USA folder. Use a text editor to modify the file so it appears as below:
#.\Canada\NAD83\GS27V1_1.dac#version 1 of Canadian National Transformation
#.\Canada\NAD83\Ntv2_0.gsb#version 2 of Canadian National Transformation
#
# The rest of this is quite standard per the manual.
#
.\USA\NADCON\Conus.l?s
.\USA\NADCON\Alaska.l?s
.\USA\NADCON\PrVi.l?s
.\USA\NADCON\Hawaii.l?s
.\USA\NADCON\STGEORGE.l?s
.\USA\NADCON\STLRNC.l?s
.\USA\NADCON\STPAUL.l?s
4. Copy the modified version of Nad27toNad83.gdc back to the mapping folder of your MicroSurvey product. Then run your MicroSurvey product. NAD27/NAD83 transformations should work properly. If MicroSurvey was running while you made the above changes, you need to exit and restart it for the changes to take effect.
5. Use the Migration wizard in desktop products to copy the customized gdc file between workstations or from year to year.
James Johnston
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