Datamine Discover KB - Projections

GDA 2020 Projections

kbadmin — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:16:21 GMT

The Australian GDA 2020 were added as a datum (datum code #1028) in the MapInfo 16.0.3 patch (including optional NTv2 support) and in the Discover 2017 update (Discover tools did not support NTv2) -

https://support.precisely.com/product-downloads/item/mapinfo-pro-v16-0-3-maintenance-release/

However Australia wide scale imagery, this maybe in Lambert Conformal conical, which needs to be manually added under the Other Australian projections -

"Australian Lamberts Conformal Conic (GDA2020)\p7845", 3, 1028, 7, 134, 0, -18, -36, 0, 0

Note by default the NTv2 grid shift support is disabled for GDA2020 in MapInfo Pro. To enable it, you will need to open and modify the relevant setting in the file -

C:\Program Files\MapInfo\Professional\NTv2.xml

Change the <Enabled> value to true for both of the lines below GDA94_GDA2020_conformal_and_distortion.gsb -

<GridFile>GDA94_GDA2020_conformal_and_distortion.gsb</GridFile>

Then reprojecting your data using MapInfo's Save Copy As (for vectors) or the Raster menu tools will automatically apply NTv2 transform.

NTv2 support for GDA2020 was added to certain Discover tools in Discover 2021 version. Note that by default NTv2 will be on in Discover tools, causing a mismatch for GDA2020, if you have not changed the above setting as describe, or untick the NTv2 option each time the Discover tool is run.

In older version's of MapInfo, a custom datum will need to be added. De ...

How do I change a projection for a layer which is misregistered (without changing coordinates)?

kbadmin — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 03:38:56 GMT

Occurrence

Vector objects such as Lines, Polylines or Polygons have been digitised into the incorrect projection. In this case, reprojection does not work, as the object coordinates will change (move). For
example the vector object may have been created in the incorrect UTM Zone, or the wrong projection was selected during import and registration of the file.

How can this be modified without recreating the objects/registration?

Solution

For vector data you can use this tool that you can install by going to Home>MapInfo Marketplace, and find CoordsysChanger and install it.

http://mapinfomarketplace.precisely.com/product/4d68d42c-7d5a-40c8-ab37-56c005176049

For rasters or surface grid images, simply use Table>Raster>Modify Image Registration, and select a new Projection, or edit control points. Note that editing control points may cause errors, which ought to be fixed through rectification.

For points, you can firstly save the coordinates using DISCOVER>Projections>Updates Coordinates. Then simply delete the map, using Table>Maintenance>Table Structure and un-ticking Table is Mappable, and then re-create the points.

Australian Albers projections

kbadmin — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 01:06:54 GMT

MapInfo Pro includes 2 Australian Albers, but they are old datums. The updated GDA94 and GDA2020 datums are below. Simply copy and paste these into your file C:\Program Files\MapInfo\Professional\MapInfow.prj

"Albers Australian Conic (GDA94)\p3577", 9, 116, 7, 132, 0, -36, -18, 0, 0

"Albers Australian Conic (MGA2020)\p9473", 9, 1028, 7, 132, 0, -36, -18, 0, 0

What are the [EPSG:XXXX] or "\pXXXX" codes at the end of a projection name?

kbadmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 04:40:06 GMT

The "\pXXXX" numeric codes that appear at the end of projection names in some projection selection
dialogs are the corresponding EPSG code for the projection.

These are used by GIS software packages to when converting files to different GIS formats, to define a common standard coordinate system different software can understand.

For example, when MapInfo exports a geopackage file or a ArcGIS Shape PRJ file. The MapInfo coordinate system is converted based on its EPSG code.

Custom or local affine coordinate systems are no supported by the EPSG database. Archaic projection systems also do not usually exist in the EPSG database.

How do I increase the precision of a Map Window?

kbadmin — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 00:21:24 GMT

See this MapInfo KB on details about precision. The default precision is <10cm, but can be increased.

https://support.pitneybowes.com/SearchArticles/VFP05_KnowledgeWithSidebarHowTo?id=kA180000000CtOnCAK&popup=false;&lang=en_US

There is also a white paper, attached.

How do I add a custom projection to MapInfo and Discover

kbadmin — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 00:10:24 GMT

Occurrence

I've added a custom projection line to my MAPINFOW.PRJ but it does not appear in the select projection dialog box's list.

Solution

If the projection is not appearing in MapInfo Pro, it will need to added to the default MAPINFOW.PRJ file located in -

C:\Program Files\MapInfo\Professional (64-bit)

C:\Program Files (x86)\MapInfo\Professional (32-bit)

Note that these are read only locations, so you will need to copy the file to your desktop, edit it, and then copy back to overwrite with the changes.

If it is still not listed check the format is exactly correct by copying the exact formatting -

"--- Custom name ---"
"Projection name", x, x, x

You should also use DISCOVER>Projection Editor to create the custom coordinate system string.

If using Discover 2017 Update version or later, you only need to update the 1 PRJ file. Other PRJ files are kept in sync. Also there is a new Projection Editor tool to add custom projections, and update both files.

If you wish to share the same PRJ file on a network drive for all users, this can be set using the MapInfo Workgroup directory setting in PRO>Options>Directories.

On older versions, Discover's reprojection tools and Discover3D use a separate projection file (to MapInfo Pro) which you will need to copy and paste the custom projection lines into It has the identical format as the Mapinfow.prj file..
It is located at-

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Encom\Common\Projections\Encom.prj

After installing MapInfo Pro, my custom Projections are deleted

kbadmin — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 00:08:56 GMT

Occurrence

After upgrading the MapInfo Professional version, all custom MapInfo Professional projections have be deleted.

Solution

If you have installed with the Discover Bundle, it includes a backup of the PRJ file, before the MapInfo Pro installer deletes it.

At the conclusion of the updating process a copy of the previous MapInfo Projection file is now placed in the User's Temp folder or in more recent versions, the Encom folder -

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Encom\Common\Projections\MapInfow_backup.prj

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp\Mapinfow_old.prj

In the bottom status bar I am seeing strange coordinates

kbadmin — Wed, 09 May 2018 01:47:43 GMT

Occurrence

In the bottom left corner of the MapInfo window status bar, where I normally see coordinates in metres or decimal degrees, I am instead seeing a strange mix of characters and numbers.

Solution

Sometimes the MapInfo settings corrupt and it switches to Military Grid reference coordinates.

To change this, navigate to MAP>Map Options and check the Display Coordinates option should be set to the default Decimal Degrees (which will show for example UTM Coordinates in metres for map in a UTM projection)

My raster or surface grid image is shifting when I zoom in or out

kbadmin — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 03:33:23 GMT

Occurrence

When I zoom in on a Map Window, a raster or surface grid image shifts and 'jumps around'.

Solution

This is usually due to image being in a different projection type, than the current mapper window.

There are 2 ways to workaround this -

1) Reproject a new copy of the image into the Map's projection, using IMAGES>Reproject Image or SURFACES>Grid Utilities>Reproject. remove the original raster layer and use this new projected file instead.

2) Disable MapInfo's on the fly reprojection support.

Navigate to Map>Options>Image Processing and set this to Never.

Note that the map option will be saved in workspaces, and needs to be changed in all existing windows.
You should also adjust the default settings under Options>Preferences>Image Processing, to Never.

How do I determine the projection of a map window or table?

Josh Knight — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 00:22:38 GMT

In MapInfo 64-bit, the projection is displayed in the Status Bar at the bottom of the Mapinfo window.

Alternatively, Right click in the mapper window and select the Projection Info from the pop-up menu. The first tab while show the Map's projection, and other tables will display each layer's projection.

To change a Map windows projection, you will need to navigate to MAP>Map Options dialog, and click projection.

What is the Popular Visualisation projection?

Josh Knight — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:53:02 GMT

From :

http://georepository.com/crs_3785/Popular-Visualisation-CRS-Mercator.html

"Popular Visualisation CRS / Mercator is a projected CRS last revised on 03/14/2008 and is suitable for use in World between 85°S and 85°N. Popular Visualisation CRS / Mercator uses the Popular Visualisation CRS geographic 2D CRS as its base CRS and the Popular Visualisation Mercator (Mercator (1SP) (Spherical)) as its projection. Popular Visualisation CRS / Mercator is a CRS for Certain Web mapping and visualisation applications. It was defined by information from Microsoft.. Uses spherical development. Relative to an ellipsoidal development errors of up to 800 metres in position and 0.7% in scale may arise. Some applications call this WGS 84. It is not a recognised geodetic system: see WGS 84 / World Mercator (CRS code 3395)"

My data appears as a single point in the map window

kbadmin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:48:40 GMT

Occurrence

When I open the map window after I have created points from my data table, the points appear in a
single point in the center of the map window.

Solution

This occurs when there is a mis-match between the projection of the point data and the projection of
the table's map. Check the projection of the Map window and table matches that of which the points are created in.

To check the Table's projection go to Table->Maintenance->Table Structure and click the projection
button. Alternatively right click on the layer in the Enhanced Layer Control and select Show Table Projection.

If this is the correct projection (.. it matches the projection your co-ordinates are recorded in), go to
Table->Create Points make sure to choose the same Projection and check the 'Overwrite
Existing Points' option.

If the projection of the Table is wrong, go to Table->Maintenance->Table Structure and untick
Table is Mappable. This will delete and clear the incorrect map. Now tick the box again and select
the correct Projection. Now you can go to Table->Create Points, making sure to choose the same
Projection as the table.