6

I have some points given in ECEF coordinates (or LatLongAltitude based on WGS84, which is interchangable in my understanding). Currently I am working on a mapping software which allows to visualize these points in maps. The current software version orthographically projects the points onto a plane, but future versions should support a wider range of map projections like Mercator and others. (It is not yet decided which exactly but the software design should be open to extension.)

From what I have read so far, the usual process for creating maps is

  • project the 3D points onto the chosen reference ellipsoid which yields (2D) LatLong coordinates (in case of WGS84 ellipsoid, I could use my current LatLong and "drop" the altitude information)

  • transform the LatLong coordinates into map coordinates (depending on the chosen map projection)

This actually is different from what we are doing currently: By first projecting onto the reference ellipsoid, the altitude is "lost". If then the projected point is transformed (e.g. with an orthographic projection) to map coordinates, altitude has no effect. In contrast, if the 3d point is directly projected orthographically, "altitude" (wrt to any ellipsoid) has effect on the output coordinates.

I tried to illustrate this (based on the height definition in @Farid Cher's answer):

1-step vs 2-step projection When Point P0 is directly projected (as in our case) it becomes P0p on the Projection plane, whereas by first projecting onto the ellipsoid (to P1) and then projecting on the Projection plane, it becomes P1p (which is not P0p).

My questions are these:

1.) Is there any (practically relevant) map projection which follows the approach that we have currently implemented or do they "all" adhere to the two step process described earlier? (I.e., does the Altitude have an influence on the map coordinates?)

2.) Is it safe to assume that all points with the same LatLong coordinates (wrt any practically used reference ellipsoid) are on a straight line? (I know that depending on the choice of geodetic or geocentric coordinates, these lines for different LatLong may have a common point or not, but that's not too important for me.)

6
  • 1
    ECEF is usually meant to be 3D Cartesian: XYZ, not Lat-Lon plus ellipsoidal height. If you do have Lat-Lon, are the heights ellipsoidal (relative to the ellipsoid surface or are they gravity-related (elevations, converted via a geoid model)?
    – mkennedy
    Sep 22, 2015 at 17:07
  • yes, with ECEF I meant XYZ. My LatLonAltitude as based on the WGS84 ellipsoid (and thus can be converted to XYZ, right?).
    – Philipp
    Sep 22, 2015 at 18:47
  • Is the vertical deflection in the vicinity of your points known? Sep 26, 2015 at 20:53
  • Do you know what the vertical datum is for the points? Sep 26, 2015 at 20:55
  • no, at least not currently. Just imagine I received my points using a GPS receiver.
    – Philipp
    Sep 28, 2015 at 2:58

2 Answers 2

7

To address your second question, I can say, that depends on how you project earth topography on your ellipsoid (how the straight line is defined). The straight line can be rhumb-line, a line vertical to the ellipsoid surface or a line that passes through the ellipsoid center. If you define this line, then you can say any LatLong on this line are equal.

enter image description here

So any point (LatLong) on earth surface has an equivalent point on the ellipsoid (e.g. wgs84). It is not like simply dropping the z (altitude) from 3D coordinate. This is usually the intersection of rhumb-line with the mathematical ellipsoid surface. enter image description here When you transform a geographic coordinate system (WGS84) to a projected coordinate system, It doesn't mean you are losing (dropping) the Z (earth topography). The LatLong already contains the altitude implicitly (intersection of rumb-line with ellipsoid).

So to answer your first question, all map projections are doing the same process like your orthographic projection. But you should know how the ellipsoid X,Y (Phi,Lambda) are inferred from the location on earth surface. There are many ellipsoids or spheroids that estimate the earth surface. Each of them has a well defined mapping, from the earth topography on the mathematical earth surface (ellipsoid or spheroid).

I reccommend you to read esri online documentation about map projections: Projection basics the GIS professional needs to know

Update

In your example you are trying to project a simple 3D point (X,Y,Z) to a 2D space (not a map projection).

Why do we use map projections at all? With map projection we want to reach the 2D space from ellipsoidal (spherical) surface of the earth. It seems more complex than your simple projection. So we use approximation. For example with the popular TM (Transfer Mercator) projection, We fit a cylindrical shape to earth surface that the cylinder is longitudinal along the equator. Although with this specific projection, it may result in extreme stretching near poles.

enter image description here

Imagine you are projecting each point on estimated earth e.g. ellipsoid (LatLong) to this cylinder (This part is like your process of orthogonal projection). visualize you have cut the earth to equal slices; Then open the sliced earth to cover the cylinder.

enter image description here

Then suppose this cylinder is a paper and you cut the paper vertically. Now you have a 2D surface that contains all points from the complex 3D earth surface.

4
  • thanks for your answer. 2nd question is ok, that's what I wanted to say with geodetic/geocentric, as far as I understand. For the first question I have added an image to clarify what I mean. From my understanding and reading, map projections are usually defined from LatLong->x/y, so the P0->P1->P1p approach are used, but that's different from "our current" P0->P0p approach, whereas you say that map projections are what we do. Could you please comment on this again? Thanks!
    – Philipp
    Sep 29, 2015 at 6:36
  • Map projections are doing the same process **like** your orthographic projection. I don't say you are doing map projection. Check the updated answer for details. Sep 29, 2015 at 9:54
  • are you sure you submitted the updated answer? I don't see any edits?
    – Philipp
    Sep 29, 2015 at 10:13
  • Based on your first paragraph, I think it's worth noting that the Latitude is defined as an angle between the line perpendicular to the ellipsoid's surface (at that location) and the equatorial plane. That line is different from the line you describe as the connection between point on the ellipsoid's surface and the "center of the ellipsoid".
    – Matej
    Sep 29, 2015 at 15:21
2
+100

First, let me outline the two steps from the location on the physical Earth's surface to the projected (plane) coordinates since they are slightly different from what you described above:

  1. From the physical location on Earth to the mathematical reference surface: when you capture coordinates with a GPS receiver, you get the ellipsoidal coordinates (lat, lon) in WGS84 reference system. WGS84 is the ellipsoid used by the GPS system which center coincides with the Earth's point of gravity. Note that vertical and horizontal (positional) datums are completely independent. Vertical datum represents the definition of the geoid surface which is not a mathematical surface. Also, I would avoid using "projecting" verb in this context, since projection is involved in the second step.

  2. Second step represents a transition from the curved mathematical surface to the plane - flat surface: this step involves a cartographic projection. All projections involve distortions - you choose the projection that best fits your needs based on the area and other requirements. There is a fairly new research that studies dynamic projections, based on location: article

Answers to your questions:

  1. Altitude influences the positional, ellipsoid's coordinates because ellipsoid's and geoid's tangent planes are in general not parallel at a certain location. In other words, the direction of the force of gravity is in general not parallel to the line perpendicular to the ellipsoid's surface.

  2. I assume you mean multiple points with the same LatLons but different elevations. Those points are on the same line, which is also perpendicular to the ellipsoid's surface. However, the direction of the force of gravity would be different at each of those points, which may not be what you are concerned about - just wanted to point it out.

Also, you need to provide a clear answer to the question: what do your Z- coordinates represent? Ellipsoidal elevations or elevation from the geoid surface (above sea level)? That makes all the difference to the way how to treat them.

2
  • thanks a lot for your answer! My Z/altitude-coordinate is elevation above the ellipsoid (not geoid), measured perpendicularly from the ellipsoid tangent plane. Does your answer to 1.) change then? In that case, every point on the perpendicular line has different altitude but the same Lat/Long, right?
    – Philipp
    Sep 30, 2015 at 7:35
  • Yes, the different ellipsoidal heights do not influence the Lat/Lon coordinates.
    – Matej
    Sep 30, 2015 at 12:44

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.