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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Google Earth Mapping Discussion Update

Earlier this year I outlined a way to overlay topographic maps in Google Earth, and subsequently get out path information to make maps and upload to your GPS device. The main downside with this method was that Google Earth did not provide elevation data when you created a path, so you would also have to use something like GPS Visualizer to get that information.

I was tipped off by Modern Hiker that the new version of Google Earth (5.2) is out and now it provides the elevation from its digital elevation model (DEM). Now when you create a path, you can right click on it's name in the sidebar and go to "Show Elevation Profile." Something like below should open up:



If you try to save the .kml file, the elevation data won't be included, so use of the elevation is inclusive only to viewing in Google Earth. Still, this addition combined with the topo overlay offers excellent options for route planning.
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3 comments:

  1. SoCal HikerJune 22, 2010 at 9:45 AM

    This is sweet. I've been playing with the latest version of Google Earth, and it's great to know that it pulls the elevation profile from the actual topological data vs. the (often inaccurate) GPS data from my low-end eTrex Venture.

    Thanks for confirming!

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  2. ZéJune 23, 2010 at 10:12 AM

    yes and I think combined with the topo overlay abilities this makes Google Earth a powerful mapping tool. For exploratory hiking, it's my primary software.

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  3. AnonymousJuly 18, 2010 at 6:48 PM

    He Ze, good find, thnx for the Post. Bob L

    ReplyDelete