Search TipsWhat are Coordinate Systems and Coordinate Reference Systems?
The surface of the Earth is curved but paper is flat.
These two facts mean paper maps will always be slightly distorted.
There are many different ways of projecting positions in the world onto paper. These different projections (known as Coordinate Reference Systems) are designed to minimise distortion in different ways.
Some coordinate reference systems show orientation accurately, some show areas accurately.
In Cadcorp SIS Desktop "coordinate system" refers to positions that are stored in datasets and reported to you. The term "coordinate reference system" denotes how graphics are mathematically transformed onto your screen and onto paper.
TIP: See Coordinate Reference Systems for systems supported in Cadcorp SIS Desktop.