Importing Google Earth Data into a GISJason Parentjason.parent@uconn.edu

Google EarthProvides free access to a rich resource of satellite imagery and geographic dataExcellent for visualizationOn-screen digitizing capabilities allow mapping of features

Features can be saved as kml fileskml files cannot be directly loaded into a GIS

The Convert KML to SHP toolConverts kml features to shapefile features

Names and descriptions of kml features are retained in the shapefileEasy to use - run as a tool in ArcToolboxRuns on ArcView 9.2 no extensions required.Works with kml files created by Google 4.2

May not work with older versions

Creating features in Google EarthCreate a folder to contain the features

Enter single line description

Creating features in Google EarthCreate feature in the appropriate folder

description

Saving features to a KML fileSave the entire folder as a kml file (do not save as a kmz file)Folder can contain more than one feature type.

Running the Convert KML to SHP toolAdd toolbox to ArcToolbox

Google Polygons to Shapefile

Shapefile is not projected

Feature Attributes

Using Google Earth Imagery in a GISGoogle Earth imagery cannot be downloaded.Screen captures can be georeferenced and used in a GIS.Reference points are needed to geo-reference a screen capture.Features digitized in Google Earth can be used as references.

Georeferencing Snapshots

Saving the Georeferenced Image

DownloadsThe Convert KML to SHP tool, as well as other geospatial tools, can be downloaded through the Center for Land use Education and Research (CLEAR) website:

http://www.clear.uconn.edu/tools/geospatial/KML_to_SHP_ArcGIS.zip

Importing Google Earth Data into a GISJason Parentjason.parent@uconn.eduCenter for Land use Education and ResearchQuestions?