Project (Data Management)
Release 9.2 Last modified November 29, 2010	Print all topics in : "Feature Tools"

Changes the coordinate system of your Input Dataset or Feature Class to a new Output Dataset or Feature Class with the newly defined coordinate system, including the datum and spheroid.

Usage tips

• All input feature classes and/or feature layers are valid inputs to this tool.

• If you have a feature class that does not have a defined projection and PRJ file, then use the DefineProject tool first.

• Map projections allow areas on the surface of the earth (a spheroid) to be represented on a map (a flat surface). A projection more precisely equates locations on a map with their true locations on the earth. However, expressing a three-dimensional surface in two dimensions involves distortion of some parameter, either shape, area, distance, or direction, and various projections cause different kinds of distortion. The individual characteristics of the projections make each useful for some applications but not for others.

• Do not name an output file the same as the projection_file, even if the projection_file has a .prj extension.

• When projecting a feature class, the Output Dataset or Feature Class can be an existing, empty feature class. The coordinates of the Input Dataset or Feature Class will be projected into the coordinate system defined by the PRJ file of the Output Dataset or Feature Class.

• Depending on the input and output projection definitions, a line in the input feature class may have to be clipped into more than one segment while the output feature class is being generated. This will occur whenever a line encounters the horizon line or crosses the line of longitude opposite the central meridian.

• Whenever a vertex is encountered that cannot be projected, the previous vertex will be interpreted as the end of a line, and the partially projected line will be written to the output. It is possible for a line to be split into several segments if subsequent vertices are encountered that can be projected.

• For more information on map projections, see An overview of map projections, and List of supported map projections.

• For more information on coordinate systems, see About coordinate systems and map projections, About geographic coordinate systems, and About projected coordinate systems.

• For more information on geographic transformations, see Geographic transformation methods.

• Learn more about spatial reference and geoprocessing

• The following environments affect this tool: configKeyword, extent, outputCoordinateSystem, scratchWorkspace, and workspace.

Command line syntax
An overview of the Command Line window
Project_management <in_dataset> <out_dataset> <out_coor_system> {transform_method;transform_method...} {in_coor_system}

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
<in_dataset>	The feature class whose coordinates are to be converted.	Feature Layer | Feature Dataset
<out_dataset>	The feature class whose coordinates have been converted into the new coordinate system.	Geodataset
<out_coor_system>	The coordinate system to be applied to the Output Dataset or Feature Class.	Coordinate System
{transform_method;transform_method...}	A method for converting data between two geographic coordinate systems or datums. For more information on geographic transformations, see Geographic transformation methods.	String
{in_coor_system}	The coordinate system of the Input Dataset or Feature Class.	Coordinate System

Data types for geoprocessing tool parameters

Command line example

Project_management c:\test_data\dams C:\test_data\dams_projected.shp 'Coordinate Systems\Projected Coordinate Systems\Utm\Nad 1927\NAD 1927 UTM Zone 14N.prj'  NAD_1927_To_NAD_1983_NTv2_Canada

Scripting syntax
About getting started with writing geoprocessing scripts
Project_management (in_dataset, out_dataset, out_coor_system, transform_method, in_coor_system)

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
in_dataset (Required)	The feature class whose coordinates are to be converted.	Feature Layer | Feature Dataset
out_dataset (Required)	The feature class whose coordinates have been converted into the new coordinate system.	Geodataset
out_coor_system (Required)	The coordinate system to be applied to the Output Dataset or Feature Class.	Coordinate System
transform_method (Optional)	A method for converting data between two geographic coordinate systems or datums. For more information on geographic transformations, see Geographic transformation methods.	String
in_coor_system (Optional)	The coordinate system of the Input Dataset or Feature Class.	Coordinate System

Data types for geoprocessing tool parameters

Script example

# Create the Geoprocessor Object
import arcgisscripting
gp = arcgisscripting.create()

# Set the workspace
GP.workspace = "c:/Test_data/Personal GDB/canada.mdb"

# Set the Toolbox
GP.toolbox = "management"

# Set the spatial reference variable
cs = "C:/ArcGIS/Coordinate Systems/Geographic Coordinate Systems/North America/North American Datum 1983.prj"

# Run tool in a try and except
try:
    GP.project (GP.workspace + "/prov/province_buffer1", "province_buffer5", cs, "NAD_1927_To_NAD_1983_NTv2_Canada")

except:
    print GP.GetMessages(2)

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