Difference between setting the coordinate system for a layer, and changing it for a Map in Surfer

Updated November 22, 2021 17:10

In Surfer, the map properties are applied to all map objects including each layer and axis. The layer properties are only applied to the objects within each individual map layer. When setting coordinate systems, the source coordinate system set for a layer defines the coordinate system used to collect the data or create the source files. The target coordinate system set for the map defines the coordinate system that will be used to display the map including all of the individual layers.

When you select a layer (i.e. Contours, Post, Base, etc), the Coordinate System tab shows the coordinate system for the file used to create that map layer. This is the coordinate system of the source data or grid file, not necessarily what you want the map to be displayed in. If the source data file had a reference file with this information, then it is automatically filled in. If the source data file did not have a reference file, then the coordinate system Name for the layer shows Unreferenced local system. Click the Set button to set the original coordinate system for the source data for that layer. Once the coordinate system is set for the layer, it should not be changed unless you change the source data or grid file.

When you select a Map in the Contents window, the Coordinate System tab shows the coordinate system that the map will actually be displayed as in the plot window. Click the Change button to change the coordinate system for the map frame to any coordinate system you want. When you change the coordinate system for the map frame, all map layers will be converted from their source coordinate system to this target coordinate system for display. When you export data from Surfer it will be in this system.

Updated November 2021

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