PDA

View Full Version : Google Earth experts?



SGT Rock
11-21-2007, 09:32
I didn't know exactly where to put this, so here is as good as any.

What I'm hoping to find is someone that knows how to make a trail overlay or whatever they are called in Google Earth. I want to plot my proposed BMT re-route in that software and create a file for it.

Cuffs
11-21-2007, 09:43
Try Mr Parkay... If you can find him, he's usually on the trail...

Sly
11-21-2007, 09:52
I checked quickly, it looks like if you want to import a trail or set of waypoints you need to have Google Earth Pro. However I've seen others do it, whether they're all Pros, don't know.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 09:56
What's your starting data; maps, gps files?

It's actually very easy in Google Earth (GE) to overlay a map. With the map in place, not hard to trace a trail. I've done it for planning out my own section hikes.

Heck, I've done it for plotting my route from a subway station to the Cyclorama in Boston.

Sly
11-21-2007, 10:00
Yikes GE pro is $400. I'll email a friend and ask how he did it.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 10:03
Yikes GE pro is $400. I'll email a friend and ask how he did it.

GE Plus is $20. That's all ya need.

Sly
11-21-2007, 10:05
GE Plus is $20. That's all ya need.

Right, I just saw that. Thats better. What's funny, well maybe not funny, is that Plus and Pro may already be on your computer and all you need is a license key to get at it.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 10:11
I can say the $20 subscription was well worth it to me, just for extra functionality if gives my little GPS. It's fun to upload the track log and see where I've been.

Sly
11-21-2007, 10:17
Is that $20 for life or yearly?

ki0eh
11-21-2007, 10:21
If you have a Garmin GPS you can download the free DNR Garmin 5.2.33 software, paid for by the Minnesota taxpayer, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/extensions/DNRGarmin/DNRGarmin.html , import the track from your GPS, and save directly as a Google Earth .kml file.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 10:28
Is that $20 for life or yearly?

It's annual.

I suppose in 20 years, I will have paid that $400. :-)

SGT Rock
11-21-2007, 10:36
What I am hoping to do is create some products like a Power Point presentation with both map views and 3d views of the proposed route so it will make a better presentation for the GSMNP folks.

Sly
11-21-2007, 10:51
What I am hoping to do is create some products like a Power Point presentation with both map views and 3d views of the proposed route so it will make a better presentation for the GSMNP folks.

That would be awesome. I think Weathercarrot did something like that on one of his PCT DVD's.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 10:52
Well, I'd be happy to help if there anything I can do.

SGT Rock
11-21-2007, 10:57
Well I just want to plot this in the software by hand. I don't want to upload from a GPS for now. I need to make it look like a trail map on the terrrain in Google Earth so I can look at it flat and in 3d. I also want to make a couple of different routes in places as we have a few Courses of action for placement of the route in some areas to show we we can do if the GSMNP guys don't want one route for whatever reason. I also want to be able to show the old original AT that we do not plan to use in places so I can show the relationship of where it did go and where it could go so we can say why it is best to move the route to another location.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 11:07
Is this about the area we're talking about?

SGT Rock
11-21-2007, 11:10
No, the Smokies at Deals gap to campsite 95

Cuffs
11-21-2007, 11:12
Have you tried Nat'l Geographic software? I use them for my hikes. They give you both an aerial and fly-thru views.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 12:17
'Round here?

My gmail is whipmaker, if you'd like to go off list.

SGT Rock
11-21-2007, 12:20
That is the basic area. Let me get done with Thanksgiving and I'll send you some maps.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 12:25
While we're playing, this is why like Google Earth...

Sly
11-21-2007, 12:43
While we're playing, this is why like Google Earth...

Sweet. If you had that on a slideshow you could probably similate flying by zooming in and panning. Anyway to capture and import GE fly to?

Sly
11-21-2007, 13:34
Hey Rock,

If you use Garmin and Mapsource software, you can import your way points from the GPS to Mapsource, click view, click view in Google Earth.

CoyoteWhips
11-21-2007, 15:28
Sweet. If you had that on a slideshow you could probably similate flying by zooming in and panning. Anyway to capture and import GE fly to?

I believe that there's a program to capture directx screen animations. Something like that might work. Otherwise, I'll bet the Pro version can do it!

Rock got me started playin' around today. I imported the AT centerline data and the AT shelter list. It's stuff like this that's gonna lead to me sectioning the New England states when Spring hits.

Proudfoot
12-02-2007, 09:37
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/at/googleat.php?lat=37.37478&lon=-80.75855&scale=11

Follow link, scroll to bottom, says Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/) KML file atshelters.kmz (http://www.cs.utk.edu/%7Edunigan/at/atshelters.kmz)
Download the kmz file and open with google earth, zoom to the area.

Out here.

Analogman
08-04-2008, 16:16
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/at/googleat.php?lat=37.37478&lon=-80.75855&scale=11 (http://www.cs.utk.edu/%7Edunigan/at/googleat.php?lat=37.37478&lon=-80.75855&scale=11)

Follow link, scroll to bottom, says Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/) KML file atshelters.kmz (http://www.cs.utk.edu/%7Edunigan/at/atshelters.kmz)
Download the kmz file and open with google earth, zoom to the area.

Out here.

Great information. You can download the .kmz file, save it to your computer, and then open it using Google Earth. It will show you all of the shelters on the Trail and allow you to see nearby roads, towns, etc.

Great stuff. Everyone should at least take a look.

Tennessee Viking
08-04-2008, 23:26
I didn't know exactly where to put this, so here is as good as any.

What I'm hoping to find is someone that knows how to make a trail overlay or whatever they are called in Google Earth. I want to plot my proposed BMT re-route in that software and create a file for it.I think the easiest and most detailed way is to shell out for the Google Earth Pro and import your waypoints. Pro does offer more features but its like a yearly subscription.

If you don't want to put in the money and have time. Just plot our your route with the regular placemarks. And save it as a kmz file.

You can lay it out with the multiple point distance ruler. But it won't be clean or accurate.

fiddlehead
08-05-2008, 01:25
Why not just draw the route on there with the "add path" tool (you can pick whatever color you want for the different routes you are talking about)
Then you can print the page.

If you hold down the shift key and use your scroll wheel on a mouse, it tilts the earth to wherever you desire. Again, print the page when you like what you see.

Just save as a kmz file when you are done. You can even email it then.
If you want to put the route on a gps, it is a bit more complicated. Here's a blog of mine that i wrote up after doing that for a trail i'm designing here in Phuket: Trailblazing in Phuket (http://fiddlehead.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/gps-problems-solved-trailblazing-starts-in-phuket-thailand/)

I don't really see what the $20 gets you that the free version doesn't.
I would like to know if someone could enlighten me.

By the way, i have been out actually hiking this trail i'm designing and then i come back and revise it to fit the terrain and existing small dirt roads (when i can find any)
It's going to take a while as i figure the trail will eventually be 100 miles long and so far i've been out 6 times and have about 4 miles finished. (it's rainy season and there's a lot of thick jungle out there)
Another interesting thing about this adventure i've decided to tackle: Thai people think i'm nuts for going out there because of cobras. But, it's just like back on the AT, when you ask them how many people they know who have been bitten, they have all said "no one" so far. I tell them that those cobras are just as afraid of me as i am of them and have yet to see one.

Anyway, good luck Rock. The drawing tool takes some getting used to but an awesome addition and i use it all the time, then transfer it to my gps and go out and try to follow it. Fun stuff!

Odd Thomas
08-05-2008, 02:32
I didn't know exactly where to put this, so here is as good as any.

What I'm hoping to find is someone that knows how to make a trail overlay or whatever they are called in Google Earth. I want to plot my proposed BMT re-route in that software and create a file for it.

What format is your data in, or are you drawing by hand?

kayak karl
08-05-2008, 04:50
I don't really see what the $20 gets you that the free version doesn't.
I would like to know if someone could enlighten me.


the only advantage we found was that you signed in and all your locations are on line (not in your computor) a friend of mine would search for land to build on and hunt. he said it was worth the $20 for him. i just save my maps to file or save on maps.google.com like this one http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=112746510977574609048.00044e27d5d54ea0f640b&t=h&z=11