Creating a zipper zone grid

Zipper grids are created when the area of interest (AOI) for a grid contains two converging universal transverse Mercator (UTM) zones. The Make Grids and Graticules Layer geoprocessing tool can be used to generate this type of grid with the grid template XML files that are installed with Defense Mapping.

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. Add a feature layer that represents the areas of interest (AOIs) for the map sheets that will be used for map grid generation.
3. Select the AOIs that will be used for grid generation.
4. Click the ArcToolbox Window button on the Standard toolbar.

   The ArcToolbox window appears.

5. Navigate to Cartography Tools > Grids and Graticules.
6. Double-click the Make Grids and Graticules Layer tool.

   The Make Grids and Graticules Layer dialog box appears.

   Example of the Make Grids and Graticules Layer dialog box once the parameters for the zipper grid file are loaded

7. Click the Browse button next to the Grid Template (XML File) text box.

   The Open dialog box appears.

8. Navigate to the XML definition file that contains the grid to use for creating the grid over the selected area of interest.

   The grid XML files are installed at <Installation Location>:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Desktop10.0\GridTemplates\DefenseMapping.

   • TLM50_Zipper_Left—Creates a grid for a TLM at 1:50,000 scale where the primary UTM zone grid is to the left of the UTM zone junction
   • TLM50_Zipper_Left_Equatorial—Creates a grid for a TLM at 1:50,000 scale where the primary UTM zone grid is to the left of the UTM zone junction and when the area of interest is near the equator
   • TLM50_Zipper_Right—Creates a grid for a TLM at 1:50,000 scale where the primary UTM zone grid is to the right of the UTM zone junction
   • TLM50_Zipper_Right_Equatorial—Creates a grid for a TLM at 1:50,000 scale where the primary UTM zone grid is to the right of the UTM zone junction and when the area of interest is near the equator
   • TLM100_Zipper_Left—Creates a grid for a TLM at 1:100,000 scale where the primary UTM zone grid is to the left of the UTM zone junction
   • TLM100_Zipper_Left_Equatorial—Creates a grid for a TLM at 1:100,000 scale where the primary UTM zone grid is to the left of the UTM zone junction and when the area of interest is near the equator
   • TLM100_Zipper_Right—Creates a grid for a TLM at 1:100,000 scale where the primary UTM zone grid is to the right of the UTM zone junction
   • TLM100_Zipper_Right_Equatorial—Creates a grid for a TLM at 1:100,000 scale where the primary UTM zone grid is to the right of the UTM zone junction and when the area of interest is near the equator.

9. Click Open.

   The Make Grids and Graticules Layer dialog box appears. The Output Layer and Name parameters are automatically populated based on the name of the XML file.

10. For the Input Area of Interest [feature or extent] parameter, do the following:
    1. Choose the Feature Layer option.
    2. Click the Feature Layer drop-down arrow and choose the layer that contains the area of interest.
11. Click the Browse button next to the Input Feature Dataset text box.

    The Input Feature Dataset dialog box appears.

12. Navigate to the feature dataset where you want to create the grid.
    Note:

    The spatial reference for the input feature dataset should have the same geographic coordinate system as what is specified in the grid template XML file.

13. Click Add.

    The Make Grids and Graticules Layer dialog box appears.

14. Click OK.

    The grid components are created in the feature dataset specified. The progress of the grid creation is displayed in the Make Grids and Graticules Layer window.

15. Click Close.