[GIS] MMQGIS: How to make grid layer in meters not degrees

coordinate systemqgis

I've read several of the posts on here pertaining to MMQGIS Create Grid Layer option, but I have not found information on how to make the grid based on meters veres degrees. I know how to manipulate the CRS for shp layers to adapt to meters, but I'm not quite sure on how to do it within this context.

Specifically, I'd like to make a hex grid with roughly a radius of 804.672 meters for each hex. The grid would have to cover an area that is about a 48280.3 meter radius.

Am I doomed to inaccurate degree measurements of the Hex Grid, or is there a solution to this problem. I have a basic proficiency with QGIS. Thanks!

Best Answer

This "doesn't" work as it is an apples to oranges comparison. Meters is length. Degrees latitude or longitude are an measurement of angle. And the length of a degree of geodetic latitude varies because the earth is not a perfect sphere.

That said, it can be done: "Since the variation in lengths of degrees of latitude varies by only 1.13 kilometers (0.7 mile), the standard figure of 111.325 kilometers (69.172 miles) can be used. For example, anywhere on the earth, the length represented by 3 degrees of latitude is (3 * 111.325) 333.975 kilometers."

The problem is much more pronounced for longitude (111.32 km at 0 degrees and 0 km at 90 degrees). Check section 3 of this source for a more complete explanation: http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/units/u014/u014.html

Also, there is a good explanation here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4102520/how-to-transform-a-distance-from-degrees-to-metres

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