Google Earth is a popular tool used by many for various purposes such as exploring different locations or even mapping. For those who work with spatial data, it is often necessary to import or convert shapefiles to KML/KMZ format in order to display them in Google Earth. Converting shapefiles to KML/KMZ format can be quite daunting, especially for beginners. However, with the use of ArcGIS, the process can be made much easier. This article will guide you through the steps to convert shapefiles to KML/KMZ format using ArcGIS and then display them on Google Earth.
Converting Shapefiles to KML/KMZ format using ArcGIS
Before starting the conversion process, ensure that you have ArcGIS installed on your computer, and also ensure that the shapefile you wish to convert is stored in a local or network drive. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Adding the shapefile to a new ArcMap document
The first step to converting shapefiles to KML/KMZ format is to add the shapefile to a new ArcMap document. To do this, launch ArcMap and click on the “Add Data” button on the main toolbar. Navigate to the location where the shapefile is stored and select it. The shapefile should now be loaded into the ArcMap window.
2. Specifying the coordinate system
The next step is to specify the coordinate system for the shapefile. To do this, right-click on the layer name in the Table of Contents and select “Properties”. Click on the “Source” tab in the Layer Properties window and scroll down to the “Spatial Reference” section. Click on the “Edit” button to define the coordinate system. Select the appropriate coordinate system for your data and click “OK”.
3. Saving the shapefile as a layer file
The next step is to save the shapefile as a layer file. To do this, right-click on the layer name in the Table of Contents and select “Save As Layer File”. In the “Save As Layer File” dialog box, specify the location where you want to save the layer file and give it a descriptive name.
4. Creating a new file geodatabase
The next step is to create a new file geodatabase. To do this, click on the “Catalog” button on the main toolbar in ArcMap. In the “Catalog” window, navigate to the location where you want to create the file geodatabase and right-click on the folder. Select “New” and click on “File Geodatabase”. Give the file geodatabase a name and click “OK”.
5. Exporting the layer to the file geodatabase
The next step is to export the layer to the file geodatabase we just created. To do this, right-click on the layer name in the Table of Contents and select “Data” > “Export Data”. In the “Export Data” dialog box, select the file geodatabase we just created as the output location and give the new feature class a descriptive name. Ensure that you have selected “All Features” in the “Export” section. Click “OK”.
6. Converting the feature class to KML/KMZ format
The final step is to convert the feature class to KML/KMZ format. To do this, right-click on the feature class name in the Table of Contents and select “Layer” > “Convert to KML”. In the “Convert to KML” dialog box, give the KML a descriptive name and select the appropriate options. Click “OK” to complete the conversion process.
Displaying shapefiles in Google Earth
Now that we have converted the shapefile to KML/KMZ format, we can now display it in Google Earth. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Launching Google Earth
Launch Google Earth on your computer by double-clicking on its icon. If you do not have Google Earth installed, you can download it from the Google Earth website.
2. Adding the KML/KMZ file to Google Earth
To add the KML/KMZ file to Google Earth, click on the “File” menu and select “Open”. Navigate to the location where you saved the KML/KMZ file and select it. The KML/KMZ file should now be loaded into Google Earth.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between KML and KMZ formats?
KML and KMZ are both file formats used for displaying geographic data in mapping applications such as Google Earth. KML stands for Keyhole Markup Language and is a file format used to display geographic data in an XML-based language. KMZ, on the other hand, is a compressed version of KML that includes all the components of a KML file, along with any other files that were referenced by the KML file. KMZ files are smaller in size than KML files, making them easier to share and distribute.
2. Can I convert KML/KMZ files back to shapefile format?
Yes, it is possible to convert KML/KMZ files back to shapefile format using ArcGIS or other GIS software. To do this, simply import the KML/KMZ file into ArcGIS and then use the “Export to Shapefile” tool to convert it back to shapefile format.
Conclusion
Converting shapefiles to KML/KMZ format and displaying them in Google Earth is a useful skill for anyone working with spatial data. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now be able to convert shapefiles to KML/KMZ format using ArcGIS and display them in Google Earth with ease. If you have any further questions or would like to learn more about GIS and spatial data, be sure to check out our other articles and tutorials.
