When you create a new project in RockWorks, you need to tell the software which coordinate system your borehole locations use. Here are your main options:
- WGS 84 (NAD 83): A global standard suitable for most projects worldwide.
- US State Plane: Commonly used for state-level surveys in the U.S.
- Local Cartesian (X, Y): A simple custom grid you define yourself.
If your data uses another system, say, a UTM zone with a non‑standard datum or any of the countless projections used outside the U.S. then RockWorks still has you covered. The software includes hundreds of global coordinate systems, and you can also define a custom projection using PROJ codes. These advanced options can be found under the "Other" tab in all coordinate selection windows.
- Other: Select this radio button to enable an expanded list of projection systems, including international and custom options.
- Set Projection: Use the drop-down list to define how your project's projection is defined.
- Search for a projection: Use this feature to locate a projection based on keyword search across EPSG, ESRI, and IGNF code descriptions. Enter a search term such as “France” or “New Mexico” into the Add/Edit Search Term box, and click Add. A list of matching projections will appear on the left. You can scroll through and select the one that matches your data.
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- Build/Edit a projection: Use this option if you need to define a coordinate system or modify an existing one manually. Click the >Help with Parameters button for a complete list of PROJ parameters. You can use the File menu in this window to Import or Export a .PRJ file.
- Note: If you already know the projection code you need, such as an EPSG or ESRI identifier, you can enter it directly in the CRS Parameters window. For example, enter “EPSG: 27581” or “ESRI: 102584”.
- Display projection parameters: Click this button to view the core parameters (e.g., datum, units, projection type) of the currently selected coordinate system.
- Display expanded parameters: Use this to view a more detailed breakdown of the projection’s full set of parameters, including advanced settings defined by the PROJ specification.
- Import from a file: Select this option to load projection information from an external file.
- Units: Choose from Feet (International), Meters, or Other
Note: Proj4 assumes that feet means International feet, although you can set a custom parameter for something different:
+units=us-ft for U.S. Surveyor´s Foot
+units=ind-ft for Indian Foot
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