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Installing Grid Shift Files

FME supports conversions between coordinate systems using different datums. Many datum transformations are not mathematically definable and require the use of grid of shifts. If you attempt to perform a datum transformation of this kind without the appropriate grid shift file in place, FME stops the translation.

Installing Grid Shift Files on Windows

When you install FME for Windows, the grid shift files provided by Safe Software are automatically installed in the correct location.

If you have already installed FME, you can find more information on which files are included by opening Workbench help and clicking on the Coordinate Systems topic, or by choosing Tools > Browse Coordinate Systems and pressing the F1 key.

You can manage grid shift files by choosing Tools > FME Options > Coordinate Systems.

Click the Help button for more information on how you can maintain grid shift files.

Installing Grid Shift Files on Linux

When you install FME for Linux, the grid shift files provided by Safe Software are automatically installed in the correct locations.

You can find more information on which files are included in Linux and UNIX installations by viewing our FME Knowledge Center site:

FME Knowledge Center.com/index.php/Datum_Transformations_and_Grid_Shift_Files

The files in the Reproject subdirectory of your FME installation folder include a path to the location of your grid file. The order in which the grids are listed is the order in which FME uses them.

To register a file, add the full pathname of the file to the beginning of the appropriate .gdc file. For example, in Nad27ToNad83.gdc, add:

fmehome\Reproject\GridData\Canada\NTV2_0.gsb

To make sure the files were registered correctly, check the log file when you run a translation.

If you have access to the FME Workbench user interface, you can manage grid shift files through the Workbench > Tools > FME Options menu. Click the Coordinate Systems icon.