How-To create KML Overlays for Google MapMaker/ GoogleEarth

With recent updates dated 09-apr-2009 to Google MapMaker, GMM team have added new functions Image Overlays and KML Overlays.

Those with scanned paper maps might want to try-out Image Overlays, one will eventually get tired of moving/ stretching image to align it with GMM map. Not to mention - refreshing the browser will wipeout any Overlays :(

Here's I am presenting some simple steps to help you create KML Overlays for GMM. We'll create .kml file which will position the image on the map. Actually its a .kml file with Image Overlay.

You will need to download and use two tools:

GeoRegArcView

http://frankl.comdesign.at/Geo/Georeg.html

Download GeoRegArcView at http://frankl.comdesign.at/Geo/georegarcview.zip

and

WorldFileTool

http://gis.hsr.ch/wiki/Worldfiletool

Download WorldFileTool at http://gis.hsr.ch/wiki/images/a/ad/Worldfiletool_0_3_6.zip

KML Overlays example

I've got maps in .pdf format and these are the steps that follow to create KML overlay file.

Map in .pdf format -> Print to "MS Office Document Image Writer" (comes with MS Office 2003) to save as map.tif image
Convert map.tif -> map.jpg
Use georegarcview.exe to make worldfile map.jpgw
Copy map.jpgw to map.jpw and map.jgw
Use WorldFileTool to make map.kml from map.jgw
Edit map.kml to put full url to point to map.jpg
Upload map.kml and map.jpg to a website
Use the url in GMM KML overlays

Trace the information as GMM features

The advantage of KML overlays is that you don't have to worry to refresh browser and fear about losing image overlays, or need to calibrate as in image overlays to GMM map again. You just need to remember the .kml overlay URL to put in GMM KML overlays.

What I do is save the .kml URLs list in a text file, and keep it in my Desktop so that I can again add KML overlay after browser refresh ;)

How-To create KML Overlays for Google MapMaker/ GoogleEarth

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