Coordinate System Preface

This usage guide is written at various levels. The simplest level is to aid you in using the coordinate systems while storing and interpreting locations. Since all locations must refer to a coordinate system (or datum or projection zone, as commonly used), the general user of Epicentre needs to know how to find and use the coordinate system as stored in the data base.

The examples are displayed in express-i and sql. It is necessary to have a basic understanding of these in order to fully understand the examples.

At a higher level, there are sections for the geodescist. These sections document the formulas for the projection and redatuming transformation. They also explain in some detail how the information is stored in Epicentre. To understand this section, it is necessary to know basic geodesy as used in the oil and gas industry.

In addition to understanding express-i and sql, it is necessary to have an understanding of data modeling. The sections as presented explain the coordinate system area of the data model and give examples of usage.

Web References

EPSG page, containing coordinate standard coordinate systems and transformations

Cartography Resource, Rice University. This has links to many other sites, as well as a link to a tutorial on cartography.

Coordinate System Overview, University of Texas. A nice outline that can help with a lot of terms.

The Great Globe Gallery. All the Globe Graphics you will need.