Creating a magnetic bearing distance

The Bearing Distance (Magnetic) function calculates the output coordinate based on a heading, also an azimuth, and a distance. A line is also created that represents the distance between the input and output points. The resulting line represents the magnetic course for an aeronautical or nautical feature.

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. On the menu bar, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Feature Builder.
3. Click the Launch Feature Builder button on the Production Feature Builder toolbar.

   The Feature Builder window appears in ArcMap.

   The Feature Builder window

   Tip:

   The Feature Builder window can be placed anywhere in ArcMap, or in the TOC, with the aid of the arrows showing the possible placement positions.

4. Choose Bearing Distance (Magnetic) in the list on the Functions tab.

5. Define a coordinate for the start point of the polyline by doing one of the following:
   • Clicking the Pinprick button on the Production Feature Builder toolbar, then clicking on the map
   • Typing the coordinates in the cells on the Input tab in the Coordinates area
   Tip:

   To view the input coordinates on the map, double-click the row headers for each coordinate.

6. Click the cell next to Azimuth and type the azimuth value.

   The azimuth is the angle at which the output coordinate is going to be calculated. The default unit is degrees.

Tip:

You can right-click the parameter name and change the unit of measurement. If you change the unit of measurement after defining a value, the value is converted to the new unit of measurement, and you may need to redefine the value.

7. Click the cell next to Distance and type the distance value.

   The distance value represents the amount of space between the input coordinate and the output coordinate. The default unit is Nautical Miles.

Tip:

You can right-click the parameter name and change the unit of measurement. If you change the unit of measurement after defining a value, the value is converted to the new unit of measurement, and you may need to redefine the value.

8. If necessary, click the cell next to MagVar Value and type a value for the magnetic variation.

   This can be a specified value or from a field defined in the MagVar Source parameter. The default unit is degrees.

   Learn more about the magnetic variation value

Tip:

You can right-click the parameter name and change the unit of measurement. If you change the unit of measurement after defining a value, the value is converted to the new unit of measurement, and you may need to redefine the value.

9. If necessary, click the drop-down arrow next to MagVar Source and choose a source for the magnetic variation.

   This is the source of the magnetic variation value.

   Learn more about the magnetic variation source

10. If necessary, click the drop-down arrow next to MagVar Year and choose a different year for the World Magnetic Model.

    This is the year associated with the magnetic variation value.

    Learn more about the magnetic variation year

11. Click the Execute button .

A line representing the magnetic course along a distance is created.

Tip:

If the line does not appear, click the Add Scratch Data Layers button at the top of the Feature Builder window.