Localization or Custom Coordinate System?

Hello,

I’m not new to data collection using Emlid, but I am new to utilizing coordinate systems, as well as importing CAD files.

I’d like to use CAD files of my civil IPs but the coordinate system they use is typically custom. They do provide control points as well as a “basis of bearings”. For example, the “basis of bearings” for one of the plan sets is attached.

Is it possible to create this custom coordinate system in Emlid Flow using this description, or do I have to use localization from the control points that the engineer provided instead?

Long story short, I’d like to start using CAD files in Flow, but I don’t know how to get the correct coordinate system, or the best way to do so.

Thanks in advance.

I find it is typically better to do this in CAD. It is fairly easy to rectify and format data appropriate for Flow(360) using Civil 3D or Carlson Survey/Civil. The first step is having their control available in CAD. If you have the factors you can create a new CAD file. Or if you have localization in Flow just create a Custom coordinate system in Flow, but I personally prefer to get the CAD data in the right place so that it works with the other geospatial data that may be available.

4 Likes

Hi @Landy4.6,

Based on the screenshot you shared, it looks like a custom CS is not possible.

Since these control points were provided by your Engineer, then it’s likely they have the site calibration parameters for this site. If so, you can use the Custom CS in Flow and copy these parameters.

If not, the only solution is to calibrate your site using the Localization option in Flow.

2 Likes

@ruth.bongon @michaelL
Thanks for the replies. I ended up using the localization feature. I started with NAD83 since that’s the local cs and applied localization using the control points, but nothing seemed to match up.
Then, I tried starting with Global CS first before localizing and now its spot on!

2 Likes