Interface MathTransform

All Known Subinterfaces:
MathTransform1D, MathTransform2D

@UML(identifier="CT_MathTransform", specification=OGC_01009) public interface MathTransform
Transforms multi-dimensional coordinate points. A MathTransform is an object that actually does the work of applying a formula to coordinate values. The math transform does not know or care how the coordinates relate to positions in the real world. For example, the affine transform applies a matrix to the coordinates without knowing how what it is doing relates to the real world. So if the matrix scales z values by a factor of 1000, then it could be converting metres into millimetres, or it could be converting kilometres into metres.

Because they have low semantic value (but high mathematical value), MathTransforms can be used in applications that have nothing to do with GIS coordinates. For example, a math transform could be used to map color coordinates between different color spaces, such as converting (red, green, blue) colors into (hue, light, saturation) colors.

Application to coordinate operations

When used for coordinate operations, this interface transforms coordinate value for a point given in the source coordinate reference system to coordinate value for the same point in the target coordinate reference system.
  • In a conversion, the transformation is accurate to within the limitations of the computer making the calculations.
  • In a transformation, where some of the operational parameters are derived from observations, the transformation is accurate to within the limitations of those observations.
If a client application wishes to query the source and target coordinate reference systems of an operation, then it should keep hold of the CoordinateOperation interface, and use the contained math transform object whenever it wishes to perform a transform.
Since:
1.0
See Also: