Jeff Jensen Notes on Google Earth

Jeffery J. Jensen, PE
Adjunct Professor

University of Nevada Las Vegas
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
4505 S Maryland Pkwy
Box 454015
Las Vegas NV 89154-4015

Email: jefferyjjensen@gmail.com
Mobile: 702-327-9294

Google Earth

Google Earth Table of Contents

How to get Google Earth Pro
Introduction to Google Earth
- Benefits of Google Earth
- Google Earth Versions
3D Viewer Window
- Navigation Controls
- Google Earth Options
  - Status Bar
  - Google Earth Overview Map
Side Bar Panels
- Search Panel
- Places Panel
  - Add Content
  - Google Earth 3D Warehouse
- Layers Panel
Toolbar Buttons
- Display Side Bar Button
- Add Placemark Button
- Add Polygon Button
  - How to Create a Polygon
  - How to Edit a Polygon
- Add Line Button
  - How to Create a Line
- Add Image Overlay Button
  - WMS Image Overlays
- Add → Model
- Record a Tour Button
- Show Historical Imagery Button
- Display Sunlight Button
- View Heavenly Objects Button (Sky, Moon, Mars)
- Measure Button (Measure Tool - Ruler)
- Email Button
- Print Button
- Google Maps Button
Desired Google Earth Features
Google Earth Style Templates
- Thematic Maps in Google Earth
Import Data into Google Earth Pro
Export Data out of Google Earth Export/Save As
- KML
- How to use KML/KMZ files
  - How to create a simple web page under your UNLV account
Tables Window
Google Earth Grid
Google Earth Support
- Google Earth Pro Support
- Google Earth Help Center
- Google Earth Help Forum
- Suggest a feature for Google Earth
Google SketchUp and Earth Training
- Make buildings and see them in Google Earth
- Google Local Business Center
- Google SketchUp - Video Tutorials
- Self-paced Tutorials - Introduction to SketchUp
- Google SketchUp: Google Earth Pro - Basics Training
- Google Authorized Training Center

How to obtain Google Earth Pro

Google Earth Pro Grants for Educators
- Google Earth for Educators
Maps and Earth Grants for Non-profits
UNLV Google Earth Pro License
- User: jeffery.jensen@unlv.edu
- License Key:
Google SketchUp for Educators
- Google SketchUp for Educators
- Google SketchUp Video Tutorials

Introduction to Google Earth

Created in 2001 by a company called Keyhole. At first their Earth browser was known as Earth Viewer. Keyhole also created a new data format called KML (Keyhole Markup Language) to display data on top of the Earth browser.
3D data is displayed as longitude (x), latitude (y), and altitude (z)

Benefits of Google Earth KML files

Google Earth is free for non-commercial uses. Easily add a .kml file as a layer over the rich photos of the virtual earth model
Can easily turn on/off layers in Google Earth. Must write HTML and JavaScript code to turn on/off layers in Google Earth Plugin.
Disadvantages - when distributing the .kml file, the end user gets all the data, not the same when using Internet Mapping products like MapGuide where the end user only gets a flat image of the data. Google Earth will stream the tiled aerial imagery, but doesn't do that with .kml.

Google Earth Version

Google Earth 5.2 Released on 14 June 2010 (see Google Earth Blog)

Google Earth 3D Viewer Window

How to Navigate in Google Earth and Earth Plugin

Google Earth Navigation Controls
Rotate
- Button is made up of 2 tools - rotate and tilt (look joystick)
- Click the North-up button (N) reset the 3D view so that north is at the top of the screen
- Click and drag on the rotate ring to rotate your 3D view.
- Hold the wheel mouse down and move it left or right to rotate
- Shift + left arrow will rotate the 3D view clockwise
- Shift + right arrow will rotate the 3D view counter-clockwise
- shift-arrow keys to rotate
- n rotates view so that north is up
- r restore tilt and compass view to default
Tilt (Look joystick)
- click the upper (north) arrow to tilt up to the sky
- click the lower (south) arrow to tilt down towards the ground
- will tilt 180 degrees from straight up into the sky to looking straight down at the ground
- Click and Hold the wheel mouse down, then move the mouse backward/towards you or forward/away from from you to tilt
- u reset tilt to top-down (a.k.a. up) mode
- r restore tilt and compass view to default
Pan
- Click the direction arrows to pan the 3D view in that direction
- Hold the left mouse button down and drag to pan
- arrow keys on the keyboard to pan (see Google Earth Keyboard Controls)
Zoom
- Double click a location on the Earth with the mouse to zoom into it
- Micro-Zoom: to zoom in smaller increments, hold the Alt key down while rotating the wheel mouse
Drift Continuously across the Earth
- Hold the left mouse button down, move the mouse then release
- To stop the drifting, just click once on the 3D view with the mouse
Zoom to Feature - double click the placemark found under the Places panel to zoom to that feature/placemark.
Ctrl+Left Mouse Click - will bring up the Balloon Descriptor for a polygon feature in Google Earth and Google Earth Plugin. Otherwise you need a <MultiGeometry> element which has both a polygon and the information point icon.

Google Earth Status Bar and Viewing Preferences

Status bar shows the coorinate (Lat/Long or UTM), elevation, imagery date and streaming status
To turn on/off the status bar (View -> Status Bar)
To change Lat/Long display format or see UTM coordinates in the status bar, use Tools -> Options... -> 3D View Tab
Reference, see Google Earth User Guide - Viewing Preferences
Earth API
- ge.getOptions().setStatusBarVisibility(1)
- getOptions().setStatusBarVisibility(true) makes the status bar visible in the plug-in, which displays the current coordinates in deg min sec.ss
- Cannot display UTM format or display elevation
- see Google Earth Browser Plugin - Coordinates in UTM format on status bar
- GEOptions Interface Reference - getStatusBarVisibility()

Google Earth Overview Map

Google Earth Users Guide - Using the Overview Map
Shows the position (red box or tic mark) of the current 3D view relative to the entire earth
To display the overview map use View -> Overview Map from the Menu
Double click an area in the Overview Map and the main 3D view window will pan and zoom to that area
To adjust the size of the Overview Map and Zoom Ratio, use Tools -> Options -> 3D View tab
Similar ESRI's ArcGIS - ArcMap Overview Window

Google Earth Side Bar Panels

Google Earth Search Panel

Fly To Tab
- Search Format
  - City, State such as Las Vegas, NV
  - Number Street City State such as 4505 Maryland Las Vegas NV
  - Location such as North Las Vegas Airport
  - Latitude and Longitude
    - Latitude, Longitude in Decimal Degrees: 36.11, -115.14
    - Latitude, Longitude in Degrees Minutes Seconds: 36 6 36, -115 08 30
    - Similar to ESRI's ArcGIS - ArcMap Go To XY
  - Reference, see Google Earth User Guide Finding Places and Directions
- To clear search history: Edit -> Clear Search History
- To remove search results, click the X button to clear searches
Find Businesses Tab
- zoom into an area of interest
- type in what your looking for, such as indian food
- type in where (mostly just use current view)
- click the magnifying glass button to start the search
Directions Tab
- Fill out from and to then click search, should see a route between the two points
- Tip: to quickly fill out the from or to, right click on a placemark and choose Directions from here or Directions to here
- To do a fly through of the route, just click play

Routing in Google Earth

Unable to generate a route with more than one destination. Google Maps provides the ability to add more than one destination and determine the best route to those stops/destinations
Appears you cannot alter a route like you can in Google Maps.
Can do a fly through of the route, which cannot be done in Google Maps.
How to find a path/route between two locations
- Step 1: In the Search Panel, click the directions tab and enter the from and to addresses. Then the Begin Search button. Should have a purple route between the two locations, looks similar to this
  - Alternative to entering in the address, could enter the business name on the Fly To tab, then once you see the symbol in the Earth Display window, click the marker symbol to open the Info Window (Balloon Descriptor). At the bottom of this window is the Directions: To here - From here. By click one of these links, the address values will be copied into the Directions tab of the Search Panel.

Google Earth Places Panel

Reference, see Google Earth User Guide Using Places
If you have a red dot (instead of a green dot) in the Places frame, just right click the folder and choose Refresh

3D Warehouse in Google Earth

3D Warehouse http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse
Modeling for Google Earth Guide (PDF)
Google SketchUp Help - Finding and downloading 3D buildings from within Google Earth
- 3D Warehouse network link
Browse Google 3D Warehouse in Google Earth
Google Building Maker

Google Earth Layers Panel

Typically use Terrain, Roads and 3D Buildings
"Layers content is created by Google or its content partners. Google publishes the content you see in the Layers panel." (see Google Earth User Guide Layers Versus Places
3D Buildings
- To hide a 3D building, just right click the building and choose hide building
US Traffic Counts Layer
- Market Planning Solutions Inc.
  - Most of the Nevada traffic counts outside of Las Vegas are from NDOT. Las Vegas traffic count data comes from NDOT and the City of Las Vegas. (Steve Olsen, email: SOlsen@mpsisolutions.com voice: 918-877-6833 4343 S 118th E Ave, Suite C Tulsa OK 74146)
  - MPSI-CorporateProfileDiversification.pdf
  - MPSI-TrafficMetrix.pdf
- NDOT Annual Traffic Reports

Toolbar Buttons

Display Side Bar Button

Used to toogle on/off the side bar (search panel, places panel and layers panel)

Add Placemark Button

clicking this button will 1) add a point to the 3D viewer, 2) a new window opens which allows you to enter the placemark properties (name, description, style view and location), and 3) places an entry in the selected folder (My Places or Temporary Places folder) in the Places Panel (need to click OK on the placemark properties window first)
How to Create a Point (Placemark)
1. Decide where to save the point (either the Places or Search Panel)
  - Your placemark appears in the 3D viewer and as an entry in the selected folder (Places Panel or Search Panel)
  - Places Panel - My Places
  - Places Panel - Temporary Places
    - Note - when you close the Google Earth Session, this point will be removed. Only points saved in the My Places will be saved.
  - Search Panel
    - Need to perform a search or have the search results window open
    - Right click on the folder in the search results window and select Add -> Placemark
    - Note - when you close the Google Earth Session, this point will be removed. Only points saved in the My Places will be saved.
2. click a location in the 3D View
3. enter various attributes about the point (placemark)
4. process should look like this
How to Edit a Point (Placemark)
- To manually move a point, right click on the point and select Properties. Once the Edit Placemark window is open, place your mouse over the point again, now have the ability to move it.
- Appears you can only edit the location and symbol of the feature. You CANNOT edit the attribute data (what is displayed in the Info Window/Balloon Descriptor). Appears you can edit the name, description, style view and location only of the point.
- To edit the Latitude and Longitude position of the point, right click on the point and select Properties from the context menu. The Edit Placemark window gives you the ability to edit the Lat/Long values.
How to Create a 3D Point (Placemark)
- From the Edit Placemark window, click the Altitude tab
- Extruding or adding a 3D effect to point is only available with Relative to ground, Relative to sea floor or Absolute.
- Altitude cannot be edit if using Clamped to ground or Clamped to sea floor
- Reference: see Google Earth User Guide - Drawing Paths and Polygons
How to change the Point (Placemark) Symbol
- Bring up the properties window of the point (placemark). Click the icon button just to the right of the name of the point. This will bring another window up where you can change the symbol.
How to create a point from a coordinate?
- In the Search Panel, click the Fly to tab then enter a coordinate value
- A placemark will be created in the 3D view for that location, just right click on it and select Save to My Places
- You the same procedure to edit the placemark
References
- Google Earth User Guide - Marking Places

Add Polygon Button

clicking this button will 1) allow you to create a polygon in the 3D viewer, 2) a new window opens which allows you to enter the placemark properties (name, description, style, view and altitude location), and 3) places an entry in the selected folder (My Places or Temporary Places folder) in the Places Panel (need to click OK on the placemark properties window first)
How to Create a Polygon
1. Decide where to save the polygon (either the Places or Search Panel)
  - Your polygon appears in the 3D viewer and has an entry in the selected folder (Places Panel or Search Panel)
  - Places Panel - My Places
  - Places Panel - Temporary Places
    - Note - when you close the Google Earth Session, this polygon will be removed. Only polygons saved in the My Places will be saved.
  - Search Panel
    - Need to perform a search or have the search results window open
    - Right click on the folder in the search results window and select Add -> Polygon
    - Note - when you close the Google Earth Session, this polygon will be removed. Only polygons saved in the My Places will be saved.
2. click a location in the 3D View to start the polygon. To trace a feature, just hold down the left mouse button.
3. enter various attributes about the polygon
How to Edit a Polygon
- Appears you can only edit the vertices of the polygon, cannot move the entire polygon. To manually edit a vertice, right click on the polygon and select Properties. Once the Edit Placemark window is open, you should see the vertices of the polygon. To add a vertice, just left click on the edge of the polygon where you want it. To delete a vertice, just right click on it. To move a vertice, just place you mouse of it until the vertice becomes green, then can move it.
- Appears you can only edit the location and symbol of the feature. You CANNOT edit the attribute data (what is displayed in the Info Window/Balloon Descriptor). Appears you can edit the name, description, style view and location only of the point.
How to Create a 3D Polygon
- Not a true 3D polygon, more of a flat plane that you can raise (extrude) and extend to the ground. When drawing the polygon, no option to add elevation of the vertice or have the vertice inherit the elevation from the Terrain layer.
- From the Edit Placemark window, click the Altitude tab
- Extruding or adding a 3D effect to polygon is only available with Relative to ground, Relative to sea floor or Absolute.
- Altitude cannot be edit if using Clamped to ground or Clamped to sea floor
- Reference: see Google Earth User Guide - Drawing Paths and Polygons
References
- Google Earth User Guide - Drawing Paths and Polygons

Add Line Button

clicking this button will 1) allow you to create a line (path) in the 3D viewer, 2) a new window opens which allows you to enter the placemark properties (name, description, style, view and altitude location), and 3) places an entry in the selected folder (My Places or Temporary Places folder) in the Places Panel (need to click OK on the placemark properties window first)
Paths are used to guide the camera when recording a tour
How to Create a Line (Path)
1. Decide where to save the line (either the Places or Search Panel)
  - Your line appears in the 3D viewer and has an entry in the selected folder (Places Panel or Search Panel)
  - Places Panel - My Places
  - Places Panel - Temporary Places
    - Note - when you close the Google Earth Session, this line will be removed. Only lines saved in the My Places will be saved.
  - Search Panel
    - Need to perform a search or have the search results window open
    - Right click on the folder in the search results window and select Add -> Path
    - Note - when you close the Google Earth Session, this line will be removed. Only lines saved in the My Places will be saved.
2. click a location in the 3D View to start the polygon. To trace a feature, just hold down the left mouse button.
3. enter various attributes about the polygon
How to Edit a Line
- Appears you can only edit the vertices of the line (path), cannot move the entire line. To manually edit a vertice, right click on the line and select Properties. Once the Edit Placemark window is open, you should see the vertices of the line. To add a vertice, just left click on the edge of the line where you want it. To delete a vertice, just right click on it. To move a vertice, just place you mouse of it until the vertice becomes green, then can move it.
- Appears you can only edit the location and symbol of the feature. You CANNOT edit the attribute data (what is displayed in the Info Window/Balloon Descriptor). Appears you can edit the name, description, style view and altitude vertice.

Add Image Overlay Button

Google Earth WMS Image Overlays
- Background
- Step 1: position 3D viewer where you want to place the overlay image
- Step 2: Add -> Image Overlay
- Step 3: in the New dialog box, click the Refresh tab
- Step 4: click WMS Parameters. Either Add a URL to a WMS server or select one of the given examples.
  http://imselev.cr.usgs.gov/wmsconnector/com.esri.wms.Esrimap/USGS_EDC_Elev_NED_3
  ~~http://gisdata.usgs.gov/wmsconnector/com.esri.wms.Esrimap/USGS_EDC_Elev_NED_3~~
  is the NED 1/3 arc sec layer.
  questions email webmapping@usgs.gov
- Reference: Google Earth User Guide - Placing WMS Image Overlays
Terrain Overlay
- Appears you need to have Google Earth Enterprise to overlay Terrain data
- When adding USGS DEMs in GeoTIFF format, the image is just white, no color ramp applied to it.
- Download USGS DEMs
  - Seamless DEM of the site, visit USGS National Map Seamless Server
  - USDA Geospatial Data Gateway - which requires Java to be installed
- WMS Servers
  - http://terraserver-usa.com/ogccapabilities.ashx?
    - Microsoft Research (MSR) Maps which is Microsoft's free, public access data store of maps and aerial photographs of the United States and is formerly known as TerraServer USA
    - USGS Digital Ortho-Quadrangles
    - USGS Digital Raster Graphics (DRG)
    - USGS Urban Areas Ortho-Imagery
    - The National Map Services
- Google Earth - Data and Imagery - Does Google Accept Terrain and Aerial Imagery?
- Google Earth Help Forum
- Side note, unable to create a surface in Civil 3D using these GeoTIFF DEMs, see Autodesk Civil 3D Discussion Group - Making Surface from DEM in 2010. It appears the binary ArcGRID format from the seamless DEM website can be imported into Civil 3D. Need to investigate which file to import since Civil 3D doesn't recognize the complete GRID folder but only the individual sub-files.

Add → Model

Background

Can easily add a model to Google Earth from SketchUp, but how do you add a model manually?
Google 3D Warehouse can download COLLADA (.dae) models and SketchUp models
It appears you can only manually add COLLADA models in Google Earth

File Menu: Add → Models
can move the model when the properties window is open

Google Developers - Keyhole Markup Language - Models

Google Earth Tours

Create a Tour manually using the Record a Tour button. Behaves like a video recorder on the 3D View, so any movements will be recorded.
Alternative, can play a tour along a Path
Tours are KML-based
Set tour options using Tools -> Options
Alternative to a Tour is Movie Maker. See Making Movies with Google Earth
Reference
- Google Earth User Guide - Using Tours
- Google Earth API - Touring
- Google Earth API Samples - Playing a Tour

Show Historical Imagery Button

To view historical imagery do one of the following
- click View -> Historical Imagery
- click the Clock icon in the toolbar above the 3D viewer
Timeline shows small vertical lines indicating the dates of different imagery available at that location. The slider in the Timeline will snap to the closest to the closet vertical line (available historic imagery)
Google Earth User Guide - Viewing Historical Imagery
Contact Cynthia Yeung, Strategic Partner Development with Google, Voice: 650-214-2648, email: cyeung@google.com if you have rights to aerial images that you want to share with the Google Earth community.

Show Sunlight Button

View the sunlight for Barrow, AK
- December 21 (no sunlight) winter solstice
- June 21 (no darkness) summer solstice
It appears you cannot enter a End date/time less than 2009. See Google Earth API Time
Reference
- Displaying the Sun
- Official Google Blog New sunrise layer on Google Earth
- Earth API Samples - Real Time Sun Shadow Position

Explore Button (View Heavenly Objects) - Show Earth, Sky, Mars, Moon

Menubar: View -> Explore then check either Earth, Sky, Mars or Moon
default is Earth view

Google Earth Measure Tool - Ruler

Use to measure length, area and circumference of a circle
To open the Ruler window, either click on the Show Ruler button or from the Menu: Tools -> Ruler
"Position the imagery you want to measure within the 3D viewer and make sure you are viewing the earth from top-down (type U) and with terrain turned off for best accuracy. Measuring is calculated using the lat/lon coordinates from point to point and does not consider elevation." see Google Earth User Guide - Measuring Distances and Areas
Red dot indicates the beginning point, yellow line connects the points.
To delete a point, move mouse over the a red dot, cursor will change from a drawing box to a finger-pointing hand, just right click with the mouse or click delete on the keyboard.
To insert a point. Cannot do this. Must restart the ruler graphic. Can only add a point from the last point enter
To delete all measuring shapes, click the Clear button on the Ruler Window
Reference: Google Earth User Guide - Measuring Distances and Areas

Desired Google Earth Features (Wishlist)

Posted at Suggest a feature for Google Earth
Edit KML features
- Currently can move the lat/long location of a point, but cannot move an entire polygon or path, can only move the individual vertices.
- Using Google Earth to import a Shapefile, cannot edit any of the shapefile attributes in the KML. Appears can only edit the name, description, style and altitude
Need ability to edit the Terrain, would like to add a 3D site layout which includes the 3D buildings along with the roads, parking lot, etc. Google Help -> Google Earth -> Discussions -> Imagery/Data/Layers -> Import high resolution terrain model or DEM or TIN
Google Earth could label features such as lines and polygons
- Currently can only label points
Need Google Earth would support Raster Image Catalogs. If I have more updated aerial photos, I have to manually add each one instead of adding a single raster image catalog to view all of them.
Need ability to turn on/off point labels
- using Tools -> Options... I have the option to change the Icon Size to Small, Medium or Large and under Fonts, I have the option to change the Primary 3D font point size, font name (Arial, Times Roman, ...) and font style (Normal, Italic, Bold)
- Unable to Google Earth to accept a font point size of 0
- To turn off point labels, just set the label opacity to 0%, tip by Earth Ranger Adam
  - Step 1: Places Panel, right click the layer and select Properties
  - Step 2: click the Style, Color tab and change the Label opacity to 0% to make it invisible
Ability to use Google Earth/Map as an Internet Map Server which has the following abilities
- Ability to turn on/off layers/groups
- Ability to display GIS tabular attribute data (fields) in Google Earth/Map
- Ability to display multiple features in a Google Map kml file (e.g. drainage study points, traffic study points, drainage easement polygons and so on)
  - Will need to use the NetworkLinks. Network link simply points to another KML file.
  - Using Network Links Effectively
  - Network Link tutorial on Frank Taylor's gearthblog
- Ability to display large amounts of data
  - Often get the error message: could not be displayed because it is too large
  - Need to use a combination of NetworkLinks and Regions
- Ability to symbolize the features
- Ability to add hyperlinks
- Lastly automate this for easy updates

The KML reader and writer are designed to simultaneously handle multiple KML files in the same translation. By default, the KML writer assumes that each feature sent to the writer should be written to the root file/document. To write a feature to an alternate document, the feature must have a kml_document attribute that contains the filename of the destination file/document.
KML Document Specification, p. 20
The kml_document and kml_parent format attributes are designed to be used in conjunction with each other. That is, to add a Placemark feature to the folder "A" in document "other.kml", the feature needs to have the following attribute values: kml_document="other.kml" and kml_parent="A"
KML Document Specification, p. 21

How to workaround this error message: could not be displayed because it is too large

Google Earth Places and Style Templates

Google Earth User Guide - Using Style Templates
To modify an existing style template
- Step 1: select the layer in the Places Panel
- Step 2: from the GE Menu: Edit -> Apply Style Template...
- Step 3: click Use existing template then check edit selected template
- Step 4: make any changes to the Name, Color, Icon, or Height in the Style Template Settings
- Step 5: save changes to the Google Earth style templates (*.kst)
- Google Earth should automatically reflect the style changes

Thematic Maps in Google Earth

GoogleDevelopers Video: Google Earth Plug-in API and Thematic Maps
Google Earth Style Templates - Adding Height Values
Procedure
1. Obtain a shapefile which has a numerical attribute field, for example population by state, area of a county
  - Shapefile of NAD27 Zones (usstpln27.zip) assign height field to SQMI and assign feature name as ZoneName.
  - Shapefile of NAD83 Zones (usstpln83.zip)
2. Import into Google Earth Pro and apply a style template

Google Earth Import .csv files with Lat/Long

Google Earth User Guide - Importing Your Data Into Google Earth
Problem: unable to assign any projection information about the coordinates stored in the .csv file, that is, a .csv file doesn't have the concept of a shapefile .prj which tells Google Earth the projection of the file. So, can only import .csv files which use LAT/LONG or addresses.
Problem: it appears Google Earth Pro cannot recognize Lat/Long values in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds so the data must be converted to Decimal Degrees.
Issue: unclear how to assign which fields in the .csv contain Lat/Long values. It appears Google Earth Pro automatically does this on import.
It appears you cannot import 3D values, see Google Earth Discussion Group - Import 3D (x,y,z) point data using Google Earth Pro
Sample text file of PLSS Initial Points (PLSSInitialPoints.csv)

Geocoding with Google Earth

Google Earth with create a placemark on the earth for each address it is able to successfully geocode.
Problems with Google Earth Geocoding
- Cannot place any addresses that contain PO Boxes
- Google Earth Plus can only import 100 addresses at a time
- Failed Matches
  - Google Earth doesn't have the ability to interactively score or match address canidates
  - unable to edit the failed matches, but have to open the source .csv address file and edit that
  - Google Earth will display a window of address it could NOT match. Unknown how to save this information.
    - "A dialog box appears indicating that Google Earth could not geocode one of your addresses. This is the last address in the sample file and it is intentionally formatted incorrectly. This dialog box allows you to view exactly which addresses did not import correctly so that you can edit the data or refine how you import your data in Google Earth." (Importing Address Data from the Sample File into Google Earth Plus, Pro and EC)
- Only available for United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain
- Unclear how to extract the Lat/Long coordinates back into the .csv address file
  - From the Google Earth Help Forum - How do I export data to Excel or Comma Delimited CSV file? the answer appears to be you cannot. Can only export data to KML/KMZ file format.
- Google Earth Pro cannot import Excel Spreadsheets (.xls)
  - Workaround: save the excel spreadsheet as .csv file
  - Google Earth Help Forum - Can you import excel files containing lat/long data into Google Earth Pro?
Google Earth Tutorials: Importing Addresses in Google Earth Plus, Pro and EC

Google Earth Import Shapefiles

If the shapefile has the projection file (.prj) then Google Earth will automatically re-project the GIS layer to Lat/Long on import.
Appears Google Earth Pro does NOT recognize a 3D shapefile when importing.
Reference - see Google Earth User Guide Importing Vector Data
Example Shapefiles of Polygons and Lines - Meridians and Base Lines ( MeridiansBaseLines.zip is a zip of shapefile files .shp) from www.geocommunicator.gov ArcIMS server

Google Earth Import GeoTIFF Images

"You can open GIS imagery files in Google Earth Pro or EC and have the files correctly projected over the proper map coordinates in the 3D viewer. Google Earth Pro and EC support the following types of GIS imagery: TIFF (.tif), including GeoTiff and compressed TIFF files. National Imagery Transmission Format (.ntf). Erdas Imagine Images (.img). Note - All imagery files must contain the correct projection information in order to be accurately re-projected by the Google Earth software." (see Google Earth User Guide - Importing Imagery)
"Note - Currently, files using NAD83 projection are not supported by Google Earth." (see Google Earth User Guide - Importing Imagery)
Steps to Import non-NAD83 GeoTIFF
- File -> Import
- Change Files of type: to GeoTIFF (*.tif)
- Google Earth should overlay the raster image in the correct geographic location
- Do NOT use Add Image Overlay button. This method doesn't georeference the image, just places it in the current view.
Steps to reproject image file from Stateplane to Geographic Coordinates, see Raster Projection - NAD83 datum to WGS84

Google Earth Export/Save As to KML

"You can save placemarks, shapes, and entire folders (and their contents) to your computer's hard drive. The placemark file or folder is saved as a single file in KMZ format, which you can open at any time in Google Earth."
When importing shapefiles, Google Earth Pro will add the layer to the Places Panel. To export this layer to a .kmz file, just right click and choose Save Places As
Save Places As will also merge files
Reference: Google Earth User Guide - Saving Places Data

How to use KML files

To view the KML/KMZ file in Google Maps, just append it link to http://maps.google.com, example:
- http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://public.server.com/path-uploaded-to/test.kml
- http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://complabs.nevada.edu/~Jeff Jensen/SunriseMtnZone.kmz
  - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fcomplabs.nevada.edu%2F~Jeff%2520Jensen%2FSunriseMtnZone.kmz&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=52.240038,64.6875&ie=UTF8&z=13
- References
  - Google Maps URL Parameters
  - Barry Hunter post under KML Developer Support

Google Earth Tables Window

Activate from Tools -> Table menu
Similar to the ArcMap Attribute Table window or the Map3D Data View window
Should be able to double-click an item in the table to fly to it in the 3D viewer
right-click on any table row to access the pop-up menu which you can use to sort or modify the field display
Appears to only show records which are in the current view. If true, then this would be a spatial definition query to limit the amount of data being displayed.
see Google Earth User Guide - Viewing Vector Data Fields

Google Earth Grid

Activate from View -> Grid
Similar to ESRI ArcMap Reference System of Grids and Graticules

Google Earth Plugin and AJAX API Table of Contents

Google Earth API/Plugin
Example websites using Google Earth Plugin
Dynamic KML
Publishing KML Services with ArcGIS 9.3
Google Map KML Code Examples
KML Data Description Language
How to validate KML files
KML Network Links
KML Regions
- Steps to create table with NLatYmax, SLatYmin, ELongXmax and WLongXmin fields
Configure Google Earth API (Plugin)

Google Earth Plugin and AJAX API Table of Contents

Google Earth API/Plugin
Example websites using Google Earth Plugin
Dynamic KML
Publishing KML Services with ArcGIS 9.3
Google Map KML Code Examples
KML Data Description Language
How to validate KML files
KML Network Links
KML Regions
- Steps to create table with NLatYmax, SLatYmin, ELongXmax and WLongXmin fields
Configure Google Earth API (Plugin)

Google Earth Plugin and AJAX API

Google Earth API Signup

Google API Key

Background on Google API Key

It appears the API Key is used by Google to ensure its users agree to the Terms of Service for the Google Maps API
Both Google Earth and Maps AJAX API users are required to sign up for an API Key
"For most applications we recommend that you simply register your domain name. Your key will be valid for that domain, its subdomains, all URLs on hosts in those domains, and all ports on those hosts." see How does the Google Maps APIs key system work
You cannot lookup your API key. If you forget it, then just create it again. "Keys are just tokens based on your Google Account and Domain, so recreating a key for the same domain will be the same token." (Google Maps API group, post by Barry Hunter API map not showing under my maps

How to get a Google API Key

Step 1: to get your own API Key, visit http://code.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html
Step 2: must login into your Google Account, such as your gmail.
Step 3: enter the domain name where your going to be hosting the .html file which uses the Google Earth or Maps API. Agree to the Terms of Service.
Step 4: Results, will be given the API Key, should look similar to this
- Google Maps API Key: ABQIAAAA1uq4vqBxopl1SMNB-F8rLBS6-Ql4odJAb4_dVefVAf8GxGxm1RS646BxruPYCrK2c89AhzUA2YZ2FA
- Example API Key for http://faculty.unlv.edu/jensen
  - ABQIAAAA1uq4vqBxopl1SMNB-F8rLBSHh3RDflKHKYaNCmjQpiQp30pHJRRzCw5UzGzLquOITWnpr8jEBN7woQ

Google API Key Issues

Will I get an error message if I use a Maps API key from one domain (i.e. a different web site) and attempt to use it on a different domain (i.e. on my own webpage)? Yes, this is what the error message will look like

Google Gadgets

Google Gadgets and Earth Plugin Table of Contents

Earth Plugin
Google Maps
- Driving directions gadget
- How can I get driving directions using Google Maps?

Embed Google Earth Gadget in Unrestricted Webhost (e.g. UNLV Student Account)

Background information
- Benefits of Google Earth Gadget
  - Quickly get Google Earth on your webpage
  - Not required to signup for the Google API Key
- Disadvantages of Google Earth Gadget
  - Limit customization with the Gadget, any detail changes requires using the Google Earth AJAX API
  - It appears you cannot use the webpage interface to edit an existing Google Earth Gadget. Can only edit the HTML
Step 0: read Google Tutorial: Embed your Google Earth Project in your Website
Step 1: visit Embedded KML Viewer by Roman Nurik
http://www.gmodules.com/ig/creator?synd=open&url=http://code.google.com/apis/kml/embed/embedkmlgadget.xml
Step 2: edit gadget settings
- To add a custom layer on top of Google Earth, enter the URL to the KML/KMZ file in the input box labeled 'KML or My Maps URL'
- http://faculty.unlv.edu/jensen/kml/ExampleURL.kml
Step 3: click the "Get the Code" button and copy the HTML code
Step 4: on your webpage, edit your HTML file (e.g. H:/public_html/index.htm) and paste this code somewhere in the body section of the page
Step 5: view the webpage. Note first time users of the Google Earth Plugin will be prompted to install it

Google Gadgets and Google Earth API

Google Gadgets for your Webpage
Embedded KML Viewer by Roman Nurik
- Google Geo Developers Blog - Recent KML and Earth Developments
Google Earth Viewer Gadget
gadgets,* API Developer's Guide
Google Gadget Ventures - Develop new gadgets with support from Google
Google Code: Project Hosting for Open Source Gadget Applications
OpenSocial Tutorial

How to embed Google Earth Gadget in Google Sites

Step 1: Signup and login to Google Sites
- This step can be skipped if you already have a gmail account
- Click the Create Site button
- Fill in the required fields (that is provide a Site name, such as UNLV on Google Earth Select a site and who to share with (everyone in the world or only people I specify). Enter the security text.)
- Within Google Sites, click the Create Page on the top right or if you already own Google Sites account, then can choose Edit Page
- Select the Web Page radio button, give it a title and then put page under Home.
Step 2: obtain KML/KMZ file to display on Google Earth
- Option 1: Use existing KML/KMZ file
  - can use any KML/KMZ file available on the internet
  - Example KML file you can use, shows the location of the University of Nevada Las Vegas - College of Civil Engineering http://faculty.unlv.edu/jensen/kml/ExampleURL.kml
- Option 2: create KML/KMZ file
  - Can easily create a KML/KMZ file using the Google Earth Pro desktop application
  - zoom to an area of interest in Google Earth
  - Create a Point by clicking on the yellow thumbtack button called 'add placemark' on the toolbar
  - Position the mouse over the area of interest in Google Earth, click, give a name such as "my casa"
  - Fill in a basic description
  - click on the thumbtack in the new pop up to change the icon to a custom image
  - click ok
  - Export the point as a KMZ file by right click on your new place mark, select "save place as" Click the drop down menu to select:Local disk (C:), click temp, click save.
Step 3: Attach KML/KMZ file
- The KML or KMZ file must available from the Internet, will not work if it is just stored on your local computer
- Recommend attaching the KMZ file to your Google Sites webpage. This should improve performance since everything is stored on the Google Servers
- expand the attachment area by clicking the plus sign to the left of attachments
- click browse, find local disc (C:), temp, and locate your KMZ file
- Expand the Attachments link and then click the browse button.
- Can also attached the KML/KMZ file in Google Sites. To get the URL of the attachment, just right click and choose Copy Shortcut
Step 4: setup Google Earth Gadget
- Copy http://code.google.com/apis/kml/embed/embedkmlgadget.xml this URL.
  - Alternative
  - 1. visit the Embedded KML Viewer Gadget webpage
    - could also click Google Earth Viewer Gadget
    - Doesn't work if using http://tr.im/embedkml
- On the bottem right hand side click "View source" underneath the catogory titled "For Webmasters"
- Save the URL
  - recommend opengin NotePad (Start Menu -> Programs -> Accessories -> NotePad)
  - paste this url into notepad and hit return enough times so you can tell the difference between this link and a future link you will soon paste underneath it.
- close the window that internet browser window that contains the source code you don't need this page open anymore.
- In Google Sites, right click onto your place mark titled "my casa" or whatever wordage you choose to put in and select "copy shortcut"
- paste this URL link into the existing notepad file
Step 5
- return to Google Sites
- click on insert on the top left of the page, select more gadgets
- on the far bottem left of the pop up select "add gadget by URL"
- erase the http:// in the field it provides, and paste into it the top url you have pasted into notepad
- wait
- click add
- Where it says "KML or My Maps URL " erase all text provided and paste into this field the bottom url you have pasted into notepad, your custom KMZ
- click save on the top right
- You should now have a new gadget that shows google earth in the backround on your web page stating, "the google earth plug in is not currently instaled"
- install Google Earth Plugin/API. Only required one time. Just visit http://code.google.com/apis/earth/ and click on the window to install the Google Earth Plugin. Might get a yellow toolbar at the top of the browser window, just right click on this and select install ActiveX control.
- Click, "get the google earth plug in now, click run,click run, and on the top of your web site there should be a yellow bar. Right click this bar and select,"run active x control, and select run for the last time I promise.
- the gadget should now zoom into your place of choosing congratulations.
- click save on the top right of your web page
Step 6
- Tell your friends and family about your great success!
- After saving your site you need copy the url to notepad or just memorize it for the rest of your life so you can tell everyone where to see your new wonder
- sign out of google sites on the top right of the page
- paste in your link to make sure the page runs correctlly.
- celebrate if it does, if not, find your error.
Step 9: edit the gadget
- If you want to edit the gadget properties, just click the gadget within Google Sites, this will bring the Properties window up, that is the same Setup your gadget window from Step 8. Note, do NOT edit the HTML file
Step 10: final results - http://sites.google.com/site/jefferyjjensen/Home/unlv-on-google-earth
Background on Google Sites - Benefits
- http://sites.google.com/site/jefferyjjensen/
- Google Groups - KML Developer Support - Discussions - Google Earth Plug-in can Google Sites Embed Google Earth API/Plugin?
- How do I add a gadget to my own blog or webpage?
- Google Sites provides free 100MB of storage for your website, see How much storage do I have in Google Sites?
- Using Google's bandwidth instead of yours, so no direct or indirect cost to you
- Max size of KML file allowed by Google Sites is 10MB per file, see How do I attach a document?
- Unclear how to load multiple KML files in the Embed KML Google Gadget
  - According to Roman N. the gadget only supports one KML. However one can certainly take the XML gadget spec and modify it to your own liking and create a new version from that. Info on Gadgets API and Earth API

Problem - Google Sites and Unsafe Tags (iframe, embeded, styles, script)

Google Sites doesn't support iframe tags which is used by the Google Earth API to embed the Google Earth Plugin in the web browser
Google Earth Gadget also use iframe tags so you cannot embed it in the web browser
Step 4: visit Google Earth Viewer Gadget
BAD Step 4: click the Embed this gadget under the For webmasters section of the page
GOOD Step 4: click View source >> link under the For webmasters section of the paged

copy the URL of the Google Gadget source, that is, http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/114026893455619160549/embedkmlgadget.xml
BAD Step 5: provide the URL of the KML or KMZ file from Step 3 in the Gadget settings
BAD Step 6: click the Get the Code button and copy the HTML script
BAD Step 7: If you attempt to edit or create a new page, then view HTML then paste in the HTML code, you will get this error message and will NOT be able to embed Google Earth into Sites
GOOD Step 7: tip from Barry Hunter - Google sites doesn't allow embedding arbitary code in a site, but it does allow carefully controlled code via a Google Gadget. Goto Google Sites, and edit your page, then 'Insert' menu and select 'More...' in the Gadgets section, on the popup, click 'Add by URL' and paste in the XML URL of Romans gadget which is from Step 4 - http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/114026893455619160549/embedkmlgadget.xml
Step 8: setup the gadget
- enter the URL for the KML/KMZ file from Step 2. Adjust the size of the gadget if needed, then click the OK button. Then click Save in Google Sites. Then you should see both Google Earth API and the KML file.

MySpace and Google Earth API/Google Gadgets

If the Google Gadget uses iframes then it will NOT work in MySpace. See Google Gadgets for your page FAQ - How can I make these gadgets work on my MySpace page?
How to access JavaScript libraries from an IFrame and IFPC call Demo Application
MySpace Developer
Google Code - OpenSocial
Google I/O 2008 - Creating Popular Apps on MySpace video
Google Gadgets at their basic level are XML files
- CDATA section is where all the HTML and JavaScript go
- Google Code - Project Hosting for open source applications
- Orkut sandbox - http://sandbox.orkut.com/ and the OpenSocial Sandbox signup
It appears the Gadgets must be stored on your own server such as sites.google.com
MySpace and OpenSocial discusses method to submit an OpenSocial gadget to MySpace

How to Install Google Earth API in Microsoft Office Live

Insert Google Gadgets and Widgets into Office Live webpage

How to convert KML files to GIS Shapefiles

kml2shp
- will convert Placemark points and Placemark polygons into a shapefile
- Limitations - doesn't export any of the tag information
shp2kml 2.0
GlobalMapper

Example websites using Google Earth Plugin

Jeff Jensen - UNLV
- Region Based Network Links (RBNL)
  - Clark County Subdivision - gives a good example of: 1) the subdindex.kmz RBNL index which points (network links) to the 1 square mile (township range section) tiled KML files (e.g. 16311.kmz) 2) the subdivisions are multipart features, that is one record for many polygons. Will notice the placmark may not be within the polygon. 3) using 50% opacity for the polygon shading of the subdivision 4) using multigeometry to display a polygon (which cannot be labeled or selected) with an icon placemark point (workaround to label a polygon).
- Clark County Development Services, Offsite Permits ccoffsites.html. FME Workbench file used to create the ccoffsites.kmz is shp2kml21offsites.fmw
- City of Las Vegas - Neighborhood Services, HOA Maps. FME Workbench file used to create the lvhoa.kmz is shp2kml21_lvhoa.fmw
- City of North Las Vegas
  - Capital Improvement Projects - ccrec08. Optionally can download the Google Earth kmz file CNLVactiveCIP.kmz and the FME workbench file with source shapefile data in CNLVactiveCIP.zip.
  - CIPMapProjects.pdf
- Clark County Recorders - Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) ccrec08. FME Workbench file used to create ccrec08.kmz is shp2kml21_ccrec08.fmw. Used the ccrec08.zip shapefile as the data source. Gives a good example of: 1) using FME KMLStyler - Icon Name of a URL (http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/pushpin/ylw-pushpin.png) instead of the FME supplied PNG files.
Golf Flyover: Augusta National Golf Club

Dynamic KML

Using JAVA/MySQL to create KML
KML MIME Types for a KML Server
- MIME type for KMZ files: application/vnd.google-earth.kmz
- Apache, add MIME type to the httpd.conf file

Publishing KML Services with ArcGIS 9.3

ESRI Training and Education - Publishing KML Services with ArcGIS Server 9.3
Using ArcGIS Server Geoprocessing Services

KML - Data Description Language

Complex tag
- has children
- tag name begins with Uppercase letter
- has IDs and Name
simple tag
- no children
- tag name begins with lowercase letter
Features
- styling is done at the feature level
- placemark is just a feature with coordinates

How to validate KML files

http://googlemapsapi.blogspot.com/2007/06/validate-your-kml-online-or-offline.html
http://feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fexamples.mashupguide.net%2Fch13%2Fberkeley.simple.kml
Xerces-C

Network Links

Google Earth Plugin API - Using Network Links
Parent kml file will have the network link to the Child kml file, see Smart Loading of Region-Based Network Links
kml_link_href = http://faculty.unlv.edu/jensen/kml/regions/ccbook.kmz

Google Map - KML Regions

Regions are used to resolve the could not be displayed because it is too large issue.
Regions needs a <LatLongAltBox> which is just bounding box and a <Lod> tag which is an abbreviation for Level of detail
- <LatLongAltBox>
  - <altitudeMode>
    - clampToGround - (default) to ignore altitude specification
    - relativeToGround - similar to building height
    - absolute - actual elevation, z above mean sea level
  - <minAltitude> - typically set to 0
    - FME: kml_latlonaltbox_min_altitude
    - Javascript API:
  - <maxAltitude> - typically set to 0
    - FME: kml_latlonaltbox_max_altitude
    - Javascript API:
  - <north> specifies the latitude of the north edge of the bounding box in decimal degrees from 0 to +/-90. Recommend database field name of NorthLatYmax
  - <south> specifies the latitude of the south edge of the bounding box in decimal degrees from 0 to +/-90. Recommend database field name of SouthLatYmin
  - <east> specifies the longitude of the east edge of the bounding box in decimal degrees from 0 to +/-180. Recommend database field name of EastLongXmax
  - <west> specifies the longitude of the west edge of the bounding box in decimal degrees from 0 to +/-180. Recommend database field name of WestLongXmin
- <Lod>
  - <Lod>
    <minLodPixels>256</minLodPixels>
    <maxLodPixels>-1</maxLodPixels>
    <minFadeExtent>0</minFadeExtent>
    <maxFadeExtent>0</maxFadeExtent>
    </Lod>
  - <minLodPixels>
    - FME: kml_lod_min_lod_pixels
    - Javascript API:
    - Bent Hagemark with Google recommends <minLodPixels> never less than 128 pixels
  - <maxLodPixels>
    - FME: kml_lod_max_lod_pixels
    - Javascript API:
    - Bent Hagemark with Google recommends <maxLodPixels> never greater than 512 pixels
    - recommend <maxLodPixels> = -1, which is active to infinite size which allows you to continue to zoom in for more and more detail, the object will not disappear
- Pop in and out KML
  - Step 1: use a course KML file with minLodPixels = 0 (default), will always display until you zoom in and the maxLodPixels = 256 is active
  - Step 2: use a fine KML file with minLodPixels = 256 and change the maxLodPixels = -1 (default)
  - Step 3: keep the LatLonAltBox the same for both the course and fine KML files
  - According to Bent Hagemark (Google), Advanced KML this should give you a nice transition of KML files

Steps to create table with NLatYmax, SLatYmin, ELongXmax and WLongXmin fields

Step 0: Using the Township, Range, Section geodatabase (clarktrs), project into WGS84 Geographic Coordinate System. Even if the Data Frame is in Lat/Long coordinate system, ArcMap Field Calculator will use the coordinates of the clarktrs feature class, hence the need of projecting the dataset.
Step 1: Add 4 fields (NLatYmax, SLatYmin, ELongXmax and WLongXmin) with type Double
Step 2: using the ArcMap Field Calculator, enter the following (tip from Bill Huber on create min bounding rectange (mbr) table from shapefiles post on the ArcGIS Desktop Discussion Conference
Dim Output as Double
Dim pGeom as IGeometry
Set pGeom = [shape]
Output = pGeom.Envelope.Xmin
Step 2 alternative: download the ArcScript Bounding Containers by Dan Patterson

Google Earth API

Earth API = Google Earth in your browser
write client-side JavaScript to communicated with the Google Earth JavaScript API which communicates with the Google Earth Browser Plugin

How to configure Google Earth Plugin and Google Name Space

How do I embed Google Earth in my Web Page?
- Step 1: need to have a Google gmail account
- Step 2: have a website where you can publish HTML files. UNLV Students Website Publishing.
  - use a text editor to create a file called index.html and save it in H:\public_html\index.html
  - http://complabs.nevada.edu/~Jeff%20Jensen/index.html
  - http://complabs.nevada.edu/~Jeff%20Jensen
- Step 3: Obtain Google Earth API Key
- Step 4: using FireFox Web Browser, open http://earth-api-samples.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/demos/helloearth/index.html and view source.
- Step 5: Copy and paste the html code from step 4 into a new file on your web host computer, such as H:\public_html\gehelloworld.html
- Step 6: replace the Maps API key H:\public_html\gehelloworld.html with the one you obtain from Step 3. Save the file.
- Step 7: using a web browser visit http://complabs.nevada.edu/~Jeff%20Jensen/gehelloworld.html
- Step 8: if the Google Earth API is not installed, will be prompted to install it. Can manually install by visiting http://code.google.com/apis/earth (only have to install the Google Earth API once, no need to install a FireFox version and Internet Explorer version)
  - Your web browser should look something like this. Just use your mouse to navigate like you would in desktop Google Earth.
- References:
How do I view borders, terrain, 3d buildings and roads in Google Earth API?
- Add the following code to the
  function initCallback(object)
  some examples call this
  function initCB(object)
- // Managing Buildings Terrain, Roads, and Boundaries
  // http://code.google.com/apis/earth/documentation/advanced.html
  ge.getLayerRoot().enableLayerById(ge.LAYER_BORDERS, true);
  ge.getLayerRoot().enableLayerById(ge.LAYER_BUILDINGS, true);
  ge.getLayerRoot().enableLayerById(ge.LAYER_ROADS, true);
  ge.getLayerRoot().enableLayerById(ge.LAYER_TERRAIN, true);
- Solution: http://complabs.nevada.edu/~Jeff%20Jensen/gehelloworldLayersOn.html
Custom Line Styles
- Google Earth API Samples LineString Styling
How do I load a .kmz file in Google Earth API?
- Add the following code to the
  function initCallback(object)
  some examples call this
  function initCB(object)
- // fetch/load kml file into Google Earth plugin
  // copied from Barry Hunter, see
  // http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Maps-API/browse_thread/thread/1c5b3cc2f6cf187c
  var networkLink = ge.createNetworkLink("");
  networkLink.setDescription("NetworkLink open to fetched content");
  networkLink.setName("Open NetworkLink");
  //
  // zoom to the extents of the KML file
  networkLink.setFlyToView(true);
  var link = ge.createLink("");
  // link.setHref("http://faculty.unlv.edu/jensen/kml/ExampleURL.kml");
  link.setHref("http://complabs.nevada.edu/~Jeff%20Jensen/sclcity_p.kmz");
  networkLink.setLink(link);
  ge.getGlobe().getFeatures().appendChild(networkLink);
- Solution: http://complabs.nevada.edu/~Jeff%20Jensen/gehelloworldLoadKML.html
MIME Types
- Why won't my KML files download correctly from my web server?
- create .htaccess file in the home directory with the following
  - AddType application/vnd.google-earth.kml+xml .kml
  - AddType application/vnd.google-earth.kmz .kmz
- How can I add MIME types...to my APACHE server configuration?
xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2"
- see KML Reference and KML 2.2 schema
Older namespace was xmlns="http://earth.google.com/kml/2.2" see KML Tutorial