Converting latitude and longitude to x y z coordinates in Partiview If you are given latitude and longitude (in degrees) for some place on earth. Latitude is between -90 and 90, and longitude between -180 and 180. Suppose that the model of earth you're using has radius R. Then the following formulae produce x y z coordinates for that place : LAT = latitude * pi/180 LON = longitude * pi/180 x = -R * cos(LAT) * cos(LON) y = R * sin(LAT) z = R * cos(LAT) * sin(LON)