MSP GEOTRANS (Geographic Translator) is an application program which allows you to easily convert geographic coordinates among a wide variety of coordinate systems, map projections, and datums. GEOTRANS runs in Microsoft Windows, LINUX and UNIX environments.
The user interface of GEOTRANS is similar to that of a calculator. To convert a set of coordinates, simply select the coordinate system or map projection, the datum, in which your coordinates are defined, then enter the source coordinates, select the coordinate system or map projection, and the datum, to which you want the coordinates to be converted, and click on the Convert button. The resulting coordinates will be displayed. Because the GEOTRANS application stores your previous selections, you can convert additional coordinate sets from the same source by just entering the new coordinates and clicking the Convert button. You can change any of the coordinate system, map projection, or datum selections at any time. Currently, there are twenty-five different coordinate systems, map projections, grids, and coding schemes, and over two hundred different datums that are supported.
GEOTRANS can also be used to efficiently convert large numbers of coordinates contained in either text files (.txt) or comma separated values (.csv). The file format is very simple. A multiline file header defines the coordinate system or map projection, and datum, of the coordinates contained in the file. Following the header, each line contains a single set of coordinates, separated by commas. Using the GEOTRANS file processing interface, you can select an existing file of coordinates to be converted, define the coordinate system or map projection, and the datum, to which you want to convert the coordinates, and specify the name and location of the output file that is to be created. GEOTRANS then converts the input file and creates the output file as a single operation.
The full user's manual can be found in the directory ./geotrans3/docs/ after downloading and unzipping the file.
The user's manual describes how to use GEOTRANS to convert coordinates both interactively and via file processing. Section 2, Getting Started, describes how to start the GEOTRANS application, perform basic interactive coordinate conversions, and exit the application. Section 3 covers interactive coordinate conversion and datum transformation in more detail. Section 4 describes how to use GEOTRANS file processing capabilities. Section 5 contains reference information, describing all of the windows, controls, menu items, and fields that make up the GEOTRANS user interface, as well as error conditions, and how to access the on-line help subsystem. Section 6 contains a glossary and bibliography. Appendix A contains brief descriptions of the coordinate systems and map projections, datums, and ellipsoids supported by GEOTRANS.
Downloading ↑
End-Users version includes executables, data files to run the executables, and online help.
Developer's version includes all of the end-users version plus the source code.
For system developers that just need a MGRS capability; it includes the MGRS, UTM, UPS, Transverse Mercator, and Polar Stereographic modules, source code and documentation).
The following software was last updated January 2011.
Unix | File Size | Filenames |
UNIX Master (everything) | (18.3 MB) | master.tgz |
Developers | (17.8 MB) | unix_dev.tgz |
End-Users | (10.1 MB) | unix_user.tgz |
MGRS-only users | (32.7 KB) | mgrs.tgz |
Windows | File Size | Filenames |
WIN Master (everything) | (19.6 MB) | master.zip |
Developers | (17.6 MB) | win_dev.zip |
End-Users | (8.75 MB) | win_user.zip |
MGRS-only users | (62.5 KB) | mgrs.zip |
NOTE: If the filename is different after downloading, be sure to rename the file for decompression purposes.
The distribution of GEOTRANS for UNIX is packaged as a compressed tar archive named either unix_user.tgz or unix_dev.tgz. To install it:
% mkdir /home/geotrans
You may replace /home/geotrans with whatever path you choose.
% cd /home/geotrans
% cp unix_user.tgz /home/geotrans
% gunzip unix_user.tgz
% tar xvf unix_user.tar
The distribution of GEOTRANS for Windows is normally packaged as a ZIP archive named either win_user.zip or win_dev.zip. To install it (using DOS commands):
C:\mkdir \geotrans
C:\cd \geotrans
C:\>cp D:\win_user.zip C:\geotrans
C:\GEOTRANS>pkunzip a:geotrans.zip
Of course, you may also use the Windows desktop to perform these steps, creating a GEOTRANS home directory, copying the ZIP archive into that directory, and then unzipping it.
For assistance with MSP GEOTRANS software or for a CD containing the executables, libraries and included files for:
· Windows XP SP2 32 bit multi-thread (complied with Visual .Net 2003)
· Solaris 8 32-bit multi-thread (compiled with Forte Workshop 6 update 2)
· Red Hat Enterprise Linux4 32-bit multi-thread (compiled with GCC 3.4.6)
Please contact the MSP Program helpline (858) 592-5677 or email msphelp@baesystems.com (UNCLASSIFIED ONLY).
Regards,
Brian Akers (St. Louis) and Dan Mullaney (Bethesda)
GEOTRANS Project Managers
Document last modified April 06, 2011