Coordinate Reference System (CRS)
Coordinate Reference System: what it means and why it is important
Coordinate Reference Systems are important to locate your data and your project on the earth’s surface. In order to ensure you have the optimum customer experience, and do not experience any issues in quality or timing of deliverables, it is critical to ensure all files uploaded to AirWorks are in the correct and in the same CRS.
Please note that sometimes using different hardware and software can lead to different CRS being assigned to your data. As a result, we highly recommend using GIS software, such as QGIS, to ensure all files are appropriately projected to the same CRS and all files align before submitting to AirWorks.
Determining the appropriate CRS for your project:
There are many different coordinate systems, and many factors go into choosing the right one for your project. These factors include Location, Accuracy Standards, Available Ground Control Point, and other factors.
A great resources to use is epsg.io to locate the CRS for your project, EPSG being one option.
For projects in the United States, we recommend using the UTM Coordinate System when possible. Here are additional resources for you to review:
Assigning a coordinate system:
When you process your data, such as imagery or point cloud, you will need to assign a coordinate system in the software you are using to process the data.
Possible applicable software used to process data:
Photogrametry: ESRI, Pix4D, Carlson Photo Capture, Agisoft Metashape
Point Clouds: ESRI, LP360, GeoCue
Using QGIS (free): How to Apply CRS in QGIS
Re-projecting your data to the appropriate coordinate system:
If you need to assign a new coordinate system to your project, we highly recommend you reprocess your data (imagery and/or point clouds) and use the correct CRS. This will ensure higher quality of your data and AirWorks deliverables
However, if you choose to re-project your data to a new CRS, you can use GIS Software, such as QGIS or Archmap to do this. Please note that this may result in a loss in image quality due to possible distortion.
Once your data is in the correct, and the same CRS, go ahead and re-upload your files to AirWorks.
Non-compatible CRS
There are still a few coordinate systems that are not currently compatible with AirWorks today due to varying entries in the transformation database. We are aware of this issue and are working for a fix in the near future.
Currently these coordinate systems are not compatible with the AirWorks web application, and in particular AirWorks CAD:
Any NAD83 HARN or HPGN systems
Any local/arbitrary systems
EPSG:2958 NAD83(CSRS) / UTM zone 17N
EPSG:31468 – DHDN / 3-degree Gauss-Kruger zone 4
AirWorks software applies the CRS embedded in the user’s input data. Importing data with any of the above CRS’s may result in any of the following issues:
Your data (imagery and point cloud) may not upload properly
CAD linework may be shifted
If you are using the Automate product, the linework in the .dxf file will be accurate, but will appear shifted in our web app viewer.
If you are using our CAD product, the linework you draw may appear to be in the correct location in our web app, but will be shifted in the actual .dxf download.
If you are working with a CRS that is included in the list above, we recommend converting to another CRS that is not on the list (more on how to do that here: How to Apply CRS in QGIS). If that is not possible, please reach out to us. We would be happy to provide support and find a way to work together!