Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
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Import GPS data into Google Earth
Importing Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
Tutorial Contents ( Garmin GPS )
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
- Prerequisites
- Let’s Get Started!
- Import GPS data from your handheld GPS device
- Tips
- Import GPS data from a file
- View and save your GPS data
- Discussion and Feedback
- What’s Next
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
Prerequisites
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
- Absolutely no programming skills needed!
- In April 2017, Google Earth on Web was released, which puts Earth on the browser. However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. Download the latest version here.
Let’s Get Started!
- Open Google Earth.
- If you have data stored on your Garmin or Magellan handheld GPS device. Connect your device to your computer using your USB or Serial port connector. And turn on the device. This will be the data that you use for the next section.
- You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. Download the sample dataset by right-clicking and saving the file GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx to your computer. These data have been shared by Save the Elephants, and are for use for this tutorial.
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
Import GPS data from your handheld GPS device
- Make sure that your Garmin. Or Magellan handheld GPS device is connected to your computer using your. (USB or Serial port connector). And that your GPS device is turned on.Note:. If you are using a USB connection. You may need to first install a driver for your GPS device. Drivers can be found on the CD that came with your device. Or downloaded from the device manufacturer’s web site.
- Go to the Tools menu and select GPS.
- In the GPS Import window, go to the Import tab and choose your device: Garmin or Magellan.
- Check the boxes if you want to import Waypoints, Tracks, and/or Routes.
- Click Import. Your data will be downloaded from your device directly into Google Earth. Where you can view and save it as described below.
- For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Help with importing GPS data from a file can be found below.
- Data imported from a ( GPS ) handheld device can be animated because it has time stamps ( date and time ). Of when it was collected by the GPS device. Simply select the GPS data in the Places panel, and click Play on the Time Controls.
- Save your GPS data to a KML file by right-clicking on your GPS data folder in the Places panel. And selecting Save Place As… or select the GPS device data in the Places panel, go to the File menu, and select Save Place As…
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
Tips
– You can also get data from your GPS device in real time. For example, if you go out in the field with your laptop. You can view your current location live on Google Earth. From the GPS Import dialogue box, select the _ Real Time_ tab to see options for viewing live data. (You’ll need to make sure that your GPS device is connected). And streaming data using one of the supported protocols (NMEA is the most common). Before you disconnect your laptop from the Internet and go out in the field. Make sure that you use Google Earth to fly to. And view the places that you’ll be visiting so that the relevant imagery is saved in the cache on your hard drive.
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
Import GPS data from a file
If you have GPS data stored in a GPX or other type of file. You can open it in Google Earth. Also. If you have a GPS device for which Google Earth does not support direct connections. But which can export data to a file. You can still view your GPS data in Google Earth. Read the instructions that came with your GPS device for exporting data from your device to a file on your computer. You can also use third-party software like GPS Babel to download the GPX file to your computer.
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
- If you do not have your own file to use (supported file formats are .gpx. .Loc and .mps). You can download and use this sample file provided by Save the Elephants, by right-clicking and saving the file GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx
- Go to the File menu, select Open…
- In the Open window. Change the filetype to the GPS file types by using the Files of type list and selecting Gps. (.gpx, .loc, *.mps).
- Navigate to the appropriate location on your computer and select the GPS file.
- Click the Open button to begin the import process.
- In the GPS Data Import dialogue box that appears, choose to Create KML Tracks. Also, choose to Create KML LineStrings, and to Adjust altitudes to ground height.
- Click OK. The file is imported. And can be viewed and saved as KML in Google Earth as described below.
- Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth. You can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths. And add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
View and save your GPS data
- Once you have loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths. And add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. To edit a feature in Google Earth, right-click on the feature in the 3D viewer or the Places panel. And choose Properties (on a PC) or Get Info (on a Mac).
- Data imported from a GPS. Handheld device can be animated because it has time stamps. (date and time). Of when it was collected by the. GPS device. Simply select (highlight) the folder of GPS data in the Places panel, and click Play on the Time Controls.
- To save your GPS data to a KML file on your hard drive, right-click (Ctrl-click on a Mac). On your GPS data folder in the Places panel. And select Save Place As.The image below shows a final product of Save the Elephants’ GPS track of an elephant they monitor.
Discussion and Feedback
Have questions about this tutorial? Want to give us some feedback? Visit the Google Earth Help Community to discuss it with others.
More information on importing GPS data is available in the Google Earth User Guide here.
What’s Next
Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
Import data from GPS devices
If you have a supported GPS device, you can track data in Google Earth.
What you’ll need
- A GPS device that’s supported by Google Earth. If your device isn’t supported, try importing GPS data as a .gpx or .loc file.
- A serial or USB cable.
Choose which GPS points to see in Google Earth
- Tracks: Automatically recorded by the GPS device as you travel.
- Waypoints: Your saved locations, such as “home.”
- Routes: Used by the GPS device to create a route from one recorded point to another recorded point. Routes can contain multiple sets of directions and can be imported into Google Earth as paths.
Import GPS Data
There are two ways to import your GPS data into Google Earth:
Import a data file
- Drag the file into Google Earth.
- Choose how you want the data displayed.To save the data, drag the file into the “My Places” folder.
Import from your device
Make sure any needed GPS device drivers are installed on your computer.
- Open Google Earth.
- Turn off the GPS device and connect it to your computer.
- Turn on the GPS device.
- Click Tools
GPS. The “GPS Import” window opens. - Choose how you want the data displayed.
- Click Import.
GPS. The “GPS Import” window opens.After you import GPS data
Choose how to see your data
- Create KML tracks: A line of GPS data that includes a time element. If available in the source data, tracks can also store additional sensor data such as heart rate, cadence, temperature, and power.
Note: KML tracks are recommended for Google Earth 5.2 or later.
- Create KML LineStrings: A line of GPS data that isn’t associated with a time element and shows individual points that make up your track.
Note: To see elevation and location information, use the balloons associated with each point.
- Adjust Altitudes to Ground Height: Adjusts all recorded points to ground level.
Note: Do not use this if your GPS track was recorded while traveling by air, such as hang gliding or flying on a plane.
Troubleshoot importing issues
- If the import takes a long time, try to decrease the sampling rate when collecting your GPS data. Most GPS receivers allow you to set the track sampling rate.
- If you get a connection error, restart the GPS device and return to Step 5 under “Import from your device.”
Find imported GPS data files
Your data appears in the Places panel with the label GPS Device. If you expand the GPS Device folder, you can see your GPS data sorted into separate folders by data type.
Real-Time GPS Tracking
If you connect your laptop to a GPS device while you’re traveling, you can see your GPS location in real time in Google Earth.
- Follow steps 1-6 under Import GPS data | 404.
- In the “GPS Import” window, click Realtime.
- Select the appropriate options:
- Select protocol: If you’re not sure what to use, choose “NMEA.”
- Track point import limit: The max number of positions that are saved and drawn on the screen.
- Polling interval (seconds): How often Google Earth gets data from the GPS device.
- Automatically follow the path: Centers the 3D viewer and follows the current GPS track.
- Click Start.
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See also:
Save the elephants crisis fund
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.Import GPS Data
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
However, for this tutorial, you will need Global Positioning Systems ( GPS ) data in Google Earth Desktop Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in Import GPS Datathe tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.
However, for this tutorial, you will need Earth Pro for Desktop installed on your computer. You will also want some GPS data with which to experiment later in the tutorial. For this tutorial you can import and use the GPS_track_Save-the-Elephants.gpx file you downloaded earlier. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons. Once you’ve loaded your GPS data into Google Earth, you can edit the waypoint placemarks and track paths, and add more information about the waypoints and tracks in the balloons.