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ravidavi · 03-14-2006, 06:21 PM

Hey all,
On request, here's a short intro on using your GPS receiver to plot your position on Google Earth.

1: The Main Idea
As of this post date, the only way to get data into Google Earth is through a kml file (Google's version of an xml file). This is a file that contains info about placemarks: where to put them, what icon type to use, etc... The programs that send GPS data to GE do so by saving the data to a kml file, which GE reads regular time intervals.

2: Get Prepared
You currently have 2 options for GPS to kml programs that you can use:

The first is an Applescript written by zapwizard; you can find it http://www.zapwizard.com/GPS.scpt. You'll need to edit the script to specify where you wanna save the output file. You'll also need to download SerialPortX and XML Tools.

The second is a program written by me, called GPStoGoogleEarth.

3: Run the GPS Program
These programs work by connecting to your GPS receiver and saving the GPS data to a kml file. The file is updated regularly, so that it's always up to date (as long as you have a GPS signal). Make a note of where the kml file is created.

4: Connect to Google Earth
Start Google Earth, and choose "Add -> Network Link". In the resulting dialog, specify the kml file created by the GPS program. You should also set a refresh rate, and if you like you can select "Fly to view on refresh" to have GE automatically center on the GPS position.

5: Helpful hints
If you're going on a road trip and won't have an internet connection along the way, then you my friend are living in the stone age (cell phones provide internet now, you old fogie

). Nevertheless, you can get by. In GE, you can map a route beforehand and save it in your "My Places" list. In addition, you can also have GE fly a virtual tour of your path, gathering and saving satellite images as it goes along. Get a route by specifying your origin and destination in the "Directions" tab, then clicking on the "play tour" button. You can specify in the GE preferences to play this tour slowly so that GE will have time to download all the maps.

03-14-2006, 06:21 PM	#8
ravidavi Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Vehicle: 2006 Scion tC Posts: 13 My Photos: ()	Google Earth How-To Hey all, On request, here's a short intro on using your GPS receiver to plot your position on Google Earth. 1: The Main Idea As of this post date, the only way to get data into Google Earth is through a kml file (Google's version of an xml file). This is a file that contains info about placemarks: where to put them, what icon type to use, etc... The programs that send GPS data to GE do so by saving the data to a kml file, which GE reads regular time intervals. 2: Get Prepared You currently have 2 options for GPS to kml programs that you can use: The first is an Applescript written by zapwizard; you can find it http://www.zapwizard.com/GPS.scpt. You'll need to edit the script to specify where you wanna save the output file. You'll also need to download SerialPortX and XML Tools. The second is a program written by me, called GPStoGoogleEarth. 3: Run the GPS Program These programs work by connecting to your GPS receiver and saving the GPS data to a kml file. The file is updated regularly, so that it's always up to date (as long as you have a GPS signal). Make a note of where the kml file is created. 4: Connect to Google Earth Start Google Earth, and choose "Add -> Network Link". In the resulting dialog, specify the kml file created by the GPS program. You should also set a refresh rate, and if you like you can select "Fly to view on refresh" to have GE automatically center on the GPS position. 5: Helpful hints If you're going on a road trip and won't have an internet connection along the way, then you my friend are living in the stone age (cell phones provide internet now, you old fogie ). Nevertheless, you can get by. In GE, you can map a route beforehand and save it in your "My Places" list. In addition, you can also have GE fly a virtual tour of your path, gathering and saving satellite images as it goes along. Get a route by specifying your origin and destination in the "Directions" tab, then clicking on the "play tour" button. You can specify in the GE preferences to play this tour slowly so that GE will have time to download all the maps.