11 replies to this topic

[Claude]

Hi All,
I'm looking for a tool whereby I can create or edit polylines or polygons from Google Earth and export to a GIS format. Hopefully, including attribute data but not required.
thanks,
Claude

[mdsumner]

Manifold can do it, and so can OGR.

Manifold: www.manifold.net
http://www.manifold.net/googleset.html

OGR: www.gdal.org/ogr/
http://www.gdal.org/ogr/drv_kml.html

Both have limitations on what can be done, and not just because there is a lag time between current GE capabilities and that of these tools.

Manifold will be much easier and will have better editing capabilities, but OGR is free (and I'd recommend using FWTools to get started).

If you have a concrete example of what you'd like to do I'm happy to try out either and help.

[Andrew]

Hi All,
I'm looking for a tool whereby I can create or edit polylines or polygons from Google Earth and export to a GIS format. Hopefully, including attribute data but not required.
thanks,
Claude

I know you can do this with FME. They also offer a free 14 day trial! You can access the FME site here

[Hans van der Maarel]

Hi All,
I'm looking for a tool whereby I can create or edit polylines or polygons from Google Earth and export to a GIS format. Hopefully, including attribute data but not required.
thanks,
Claude

I know you can do this with FME. They also offer a free 14 day trial! You can access the FME site here

FME certainly is something worth looking at, especially since it can do a *lot* more (although that does have an effect on the price tag)

Don't know if you're going to be at NACIS, but I've been asked by Martin to do a presentation on FME as part of Practical Cartography Day...

[Martin Gamache]

FME certainly is something worth looking at, especially since it can do a *lot* more (although that does have an effect on the price tag)

Don't know if you're going to be at NACIS, but I've been asked by Martin to do a presentation on FME as part of Practical Cartography Day...

I don't know Hans, now that I know you didn't get your GIS certification I'm not sure anymore if you are worthy of PCD...

[MapMedia]

If not Hans, then who? When I think of FME I think of Hans!

[Hans van der Maarel]

If not Hans, then who? When I think of FME I think of Hans!

See that, Martin? I think that proves I'm qualified enough

[Sky Schemer]

FME certainly is something worth looking at, especially since it can do a *lot* more (although that does have an effect on the price tag)

It is very cool, though it has a pricing structure that is not for the feint-of-heart.

Ever get the feeling you're on the wrong end of this business?

[Hans van der Maarel]

It is very cool, though it has a pricing structure that is not for the feint-of-heart.

True, but that in itself isn't uncommon in this market.

[Matthew Hampton]

I have used a script that runs in Arcview 3.x written by Antonio Sobral Almeida. Here is the link. It actually works pretty slick.

I searched on ESRI's Arcscripts page and found quite few other conversions related to KML's that you might want to try as well. They do require ESRI software, however.

Hi All,
I'm looking for a tool whereby I can create or edit polylines or polygons from Google Earth and export to a GIS format. Hopefully, including attribute data but not required.
thanks,
Claude

[Sky Schemer]

True, but that in itself isn't uncommon in this market.

And it's nothing compared to others. At the day job, they use circuit design software that is very highly specialized, and probably used only by a few dozen companies across the country. Some of the software packages have price tags with five and six figures ($US).

[Matthew Hampton]

I just found a great set of free conversion tools at Zonum Solutions. One of which converts KML to shapefile.

I haven't tried it yet, but the info states that it carries attributes. The best part is that it's FREE!