How to Add a Kmz File to Google Earth
Using Google for Mapping Your Data
(creating KML files for either Google Earth or Google Maps)
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Notes on .KML and .KMZ files
ArcGIS to KML (converting GIS data to KML files)
Converting KML files to Shapefiles (importing KML files)
Converting GPS data to KML
Viewing .KML and .KMZ files in Google EARTH
Viewing .KML and .KMZ files in Google MAPS
Viewing .KML and .KMZ files Using Google's My Maps
How to export a My Maps map to kml (& Convert it to a shapefile)
Other Options for .KML and .KMZ Files
See also: Using a spreadsheet to create a kml file
While by no means a full GIS package, Google Earth/Maps offer increasing possibilities for displaying not only their data, but yours by creating and using a .KML file. The most basic method of creating a KML file is to open Google Earth and create markers that you can save to a .KML file. In addition, you can also bring in existing data to create a .KML file. Below are some rough notes on methods of getting your GPS or GIS data into a KML file that can be used in either Google Earth or Google Maps.
See also Using the Image Overlay Tool in Google Earth (to add your own GIS imagery files)
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Notes on .KML and .KMZ files
The default file for spatial data in Google Earth is a .KML file. A .KML file is a "flat" file (text based) composed of Tags similar to .XML or .HTML. KML files can also be converted to a .KMZ file. The differences between .KML and .KMZ is that a .KMZ has been compressed ('zipped' up) using an application such as WinZip. The .ZIP file is then renamed as a .KMZ (this renaming was done so that your computer would automatically recognize it as a file that can be opened in Google Earth and not WinZip).
To create a .KMZ yourself:
Create your .KML (from Google Earth or as detailed on this page)
U se WinZip to compress the file
Rename the file extension from .ZIP to .KMZ
Try double clicking on the .KMZ file you just created
This should automatically open in Google Earth
You can also open a .KML file in Google Earth and save it as a .KMZ file.
There are a growing number of .KML files that are now available on the web. One method of searching for such files is to use Google search and add the following text string:
filetype:kmz (or filetype:kmz )
So if you wanted to search for files for Bellingham you could enter:
bellingham filetype:kml or bellingham filetype:kmz
Suggestion: search for a KML file or two, download (save) these and open them (in a text editor) to get a sense of what is in a KML file and how they work...
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ArcGIS to KML (converting GIS data to KML files)
ArcGIS 9.3 has a Layer to KML tool (A rcToolbox / Conversion Tools / To KML / Layer to KML ) and a Map to KML tool (A rcToolbox / Conversion Tools / To KML / Map to KML ). Both of these can be used to export GIS data (shapefiles, etc.) to a KML file for posting on the web, etc.
ArcGIS 9.2 also has a Layer to KML tool IF you have the 3D Analyst extension (ArcToolbox / 3D Analyst Tools / To KML / Layer to KML) - note that you must turn the 3D Analyst extension on (from the Tools / Extensions menu)
In the SAL (AH-16) we have also added an extension that will allow you to export a shapefile (points, lines or polygons) to a KML file. Included in this process are limited options for also setting symbology (colors, symbols, transparency) or annotation (labels) for the exported features. This extension can be freely downloaded from ESRI's ArcScripts webpage.
To use this extension:
Open ArcMap
Add the data you wish to export
From the Tools menu choose Extensions
Check the box Export to KML to activate the extension
From the View menu choose Toolbars
Check the box beside Export to KML to turn the toolbar on
Click on the single icon of the Export to KML toolbar
Follow the options/instructions
See notes below on using KML files...
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Converting GPS data to KML
If you have GPS data, you could import it into ArcGIS (see GPS data in ArcGIS and XY Data in ArcGIS) and then use the Export to KML extension (see notes above). Alternatively, you can go directly from a table of GPS data to a KML file using on-line conversions programs.
GPS Visualizer is a web application that will convert lat-long coordinates, or a table of lat-long coordinates, to a kml or kmz file (for free):
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map?form=googleearth&googleearth_docname=gpstest&googleearth_zip=0
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Tables can be ".csv" (comma delimited) or tab delimited
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Header (first) row must have field headings
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Coordinates must be Lat-Long (not UTM or State Plane)
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Note that if all you have are just the X-Y coordinates (no other attribute information like a name or ID number) the program will assume that your data is for a track (a linear feature) and connects the dots. To avoid creating tracks and force it to create just point features, add a new field (such as Name or ID) to your table.
This will produce a .KML (or a .KMZ) file that you can view in Google Earth or download (use Save Link As or Click link and select Save to Disk instead of viewing). You can rename the .KML file once it has been downloaded if you need to.
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Viewing .KML and .KMZ files in Google EARTH
All you need to do is click on the file to open it in Google Earth (assuming you have Google Earth installed).
You can also post your file to a web page as a url - which will then open on the user's computer (assuming they have Google Earth installed). NOTE: this only works from some web servers (WWU's U:/ drive myweb folders now work). Alternatively, users can download your .KML or .KMZ file to their hard drive and double click on it to open the local copy.
So if you have a KML file of points in the Bearing Sea:
http://staff.wwu.edu/stefan/G_test/B_Sea.kml
or the Bellingham Schools:
http://staff.wwu.edu/stefan/G_test/Bham_Schools.kml
Anyone can click on these files and open them in Google Earth.
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Viewing .KML and .KMZ files in Google MAPS
Even though .KML files are intended for Google Earth, they can also be used in Google Maps. It seems that to do this the .KML file has to be on the web (you can simply put it in your U:/ drive myweb folder or post it elsewhere online). (So far I haven't found a way to use a .KML file on your hard drive in Google maps... if you do, let me know).
To open a KML file in Google Maps:
Open Google Maps ( http://maps.google.com/ )
In the Search box enter the url for your .KML file
(e.g. http://staff.wwu.edu/stefan/G_test/B_Sea.kml
or http://staff.wwu.edu/stefan/G_test/Bham_Schools.kml )
If you want a link on a web page to open in Google maps you need to add http://maps.google.com/?q= before the .KML address in your link, e.g.:
http://maps.google.com/?q=http://staff.wwu.edu/stefan/G_test/B_Sea.kml
or http://maps.google.com/?q=http://staff.wwu.edu/stefan/G_test/Bham_Schools.kml
TIP: If you want your Google Map to open with the Satellite background (instead of the default basemap) add "&t=k" (no quotes) at the end of the link:
http://maps.google.com/?q=http://staff.wwu.edu/stefan/G_test/Bham_Schools.kml&t=k
OR Viewing .KML and .KMZ files Using Google's My Maps:
From Google Maps there is a tab for My Maps (a way to create, save and share Google Maps). If you create a new map you can import a KML file and save that out as a My Map. NOTE: You'll need to have a Google account to create, save and share your Google Maps.
Basic My Maps Functionality:
Open Google Maps ( http://maps.google.com/ )
Click on the My Maps tab (on the left hand side of the screen)
Click on Create new map
Sign in if you aren't already (you have to have a Google Account to play this game...)
If you don't have a Google Account, use the Create an account now button to do so
Give the new map a Title in the dialog section
Click the Add a Placemark icon to add markers to your map
You can then give your placemark a Title and/or Description
Use Rich Text or Edit HTML to add images, hyperlinks, etc.
You can also add Lines or Shapes (polygons)
Existing placemarks can also be moved (relocated)
To Add a Placemark using Latitude-Longitude Coordinates:
Open Google Maps
In the Google Maps Search box, enter a set of Lat-Long coordinates
e.g.: 48.738221, -122.486432
Click Search Maps
Google should zoom to your location and create a temporary placemark
Click on your placemark and in the pop-up box click Save To My Maps
Choose the Name of your Map to add the placemark to
Click Save
To Import a KML file into your My Map:
Create and begin editing your map (see above)
Click on the Import link
Browse to a KML file on your computer and Upload it...
If you have the same file on the web (i.e., on your mywebs folder on your U:/ drive)
you can enter the URL and click Upload from File
Linking to your My Map:
You can get a URL link for your My Map by clicking on Link
Copy and paste the URL or the HTML code into your web site
You can now delete your version of the KML (as Google is now hosting their copy of it...)
Sharing your My Map:
Click on Send
Enter the To and From email addresses & click Send
You can also get coordinates from Google Maps by using the following script...
Getting Latitude-Longitude Coordinates from Google Maps:
Go to Google Maps ( http://maps.google.com/ )
Zoom / Pan to your desired location
Zoom in as far as you can, with your location centered in the screen
In the browser address bar, replace http://maps.google.com/ with the following line of text:
javascript:void(prompt('',gApplication.getMap().getCenter()));
A pop-up window should display your coordinates in latitude and longitude.
How to export a My Maps map to a kml file (and convert that to a shapefile)
Google's My Maps can be used as a simple tool for creating and sharing spatial data (digitizing points, lines or polygons on line). This data is stored on Google's servers as a kml file. To get a copy of the data off of Google's servers (for incorporation into ArcGIS, etc.) you can export your own kml file:
From your My Map click on Link
Copy and paste the URL into your web browser (as a new url)
To the end of the url add:
&ouput=kml
Click return/enter
(This should output a kml file which you can open in Google Earth or save)
Choose to Save File and browse to the folder of your choice
To convert a KML file to a Shapefile
If you have the current version of ArcGIS there is now a KML to Layer tool (Conversion Tools / From KML / KML to Layer). If you have an older version of ArcGIS or if the tool isn't working for you there are various other ways to convert a KML file to a shapefile:
ArcScripts has:
KML 2 SHP Converter tool: http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=14988
Convert KML files to Shapefiles: http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=15603
KML Conversion: http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=14980
(or search ArcSripts for KML)
The DNR GPS (formerly "DNR Garmin") program (which is installed in the SAL) (see http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/DNRGPS/DNRGPS.html ) can read a kml file (as well as a GPS file or a shapefile). Once you have loaded a file (KML or otherwise) you can export it out as a shapefile (or a text file or a KML file, etc.)
(File / Load From / File: Type = Google Earth Format *.kml)
Once loaded, the file can then be sent to a GPS unit or saved as a shapefile
Zonum Solutions has a online kml2shp tool: http://www.zonums.com/kml2shp.html
Or Search for kml shapefile conversion (or the like)...
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Other Options for .KML and .KMZ Files ( stuff I haven't tried yet )
There is an Excel macro that converts a list of coordinates into a .KML file (I haven't tried this yet but looks simple enough):
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php?Number=613667
More notes on using KML on Google maps:
http://googlemapsapi.blogspot.com/2006/11/kml-on-google-maps.html
KML Editor:
http://www.ogleearth.com/2007/03/and_then_there_2.html
GPS Utility:
http://www.gpsu.co.uk/download.html
Google Earth MyMaps/KML converter for Garmin GPS units
http://www.takitwithme.com/
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NOTE: KML/KMZ files can be posted to U:/ drive websites..
but cannot be posted to acadweb (the SAL site) - (not sure about the SANS server...)
How to Add a Kmz File to Google Earth
Source: https://www.wwu.edu/huxley/spatial/tut/google_mapping.htm
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