James asks:
How do I convert KML (from Google Earth) to SHP (in ArcMap)?

ExpertGPS Pro can import Google Earth KML and KMZ files, and then export them in shapefile format (.shp) so you can view your data in ArcMap or other GIS software. I've written a step-by-step tutorial on converting KML data to SHP using ExpertGPS Pro.

Paul R. asks:
For a project, I am using a Google Maps API application to create cycling routes. I am creating the routes in the Google Maps API application because the ultimate target application also runs on the Google Maps API. I have very limited export options but I can export tracks in kml format. I can import these kml files into ExpertGPS and I can then export from ExpertGPS the files I need for my application. One of the file types that I export from ExpertGPS for use in my application is a text-delimited tracking file. My problem is that I would like to have elevations in the exported tab-delimited tracking file, but at the moment I can't figure out how to do that.

The July 2009 release of ExpertGPS features a new tool to calculate the elevation of any location in the world, and add that elevation data to any waypoint, route, or track. In the past, when you drew a track on the map in ExpertGPS, or imported driving directions or trails from Google Earth or another 2D mapping source, you wouldn't have elevation data available. Now, using the Get Elevation command on the Tools menu in ExpertGPS, you can add elevation to anything. Simply select the waypoints, routes, or tracks on the map, and click Get Elevation. ExpertGPS will determine the elevation for each point, using the best-available data from the US Geological Survey and NASA's Space Shuttle Radar Tomography Mission (SRTM). In a few seconds, you'll have elevation data, and you can use the Show Elevation Profile command on the View menu to plot the elevation at every point along your hike, ride, or drive.

Brian H. asks:
How do I add Lowrance gps way point numbers( like 34.06.182 / 81.23.465 and convert to get into google earth pro for fishing way points?

Your data is in latitude and longitude, degrees and decimal minutes. That first dot (after 34 in 34.06.182) should actually be a degrees symbol, or a space. So the latitude is 34 degrees, and 6.182 minutes North latitude. The longitude is 81 degrees, 23.465 minutes West longitude. (In the US, we're in Western Hemisphere, and you'll often see the longitude written with a negative sign: -81 23.465')

Read my tutorial on adding a new coordinate format to ExpertGPS for instructions on how to add lat/lon deg min.min coordinates. You'll need to know whether your data is in WGS84 datum, or NAD27.

Viewing your Fishing Waypoints in Google Earth

Once you've entered your waypoints, you can press F7, the View in Google Earth command, to map your GPS fishing waypoints on Google Earth's color aerial photos. And when you press Send to GPS in ExpertGPS, your waypoints will be transferred directly to your Lowrance chartplotter or GPS receiver.

Dawee M. asks:
I am looking at your programme ExpertGPS. Can the programme convert a kmz file from Google Earth to a shp file to use in GIS?

One convenient use for ExpertGPS Pro is as a converter from Google Earth's KML and compressed KMZ formats into GIS shapefiles, DXF CAD drawings, and other GPS and mapping formats. For this example, I'll convert the New York City subway lines and stations in KMZ format to SHP using ExpertGPS Pro. First I import the KMZ data into ExpertGPS Pro by clicking Import on the File menu, and selecting the KMZ file I downloaded from the Internet. ExpertGPS Pro converts the placemarks for each subway station into GPS waypoints, and converts each subway line into a GPS track.

Before I export the data, I have to decide what coordinate format to use to match my ArcGIS project. ExpertGPS Pro supports lat/lon, UTM, US state plane coordinates, and the national grid formats of Britain, France, and many other countries. New York City is covered by the New York Long Island state plane coordinate system, NAD83 datum, which I've selected in ExpertGPS Pro.

To export the subway stations, I click once in the Waypoint List, and then click Export Waypoints in List on the File menu. When prompted to save the shapefile, I change the File Type in the bottom of the Export dialog to Point Shapefile (.shp). I repeat the process to export the subway lines from the Track List as a Polyline Shapefile.

After you've done this once in ExpertGPS, you'll have the coordinate format already set to match your ArcGIS project, so converting additional KMZ and KML files simply becomes a two-step process. Import the KMZ, and click Export to convert it to a shapefile.

Related Topics How to publish GIS layers to Google Earth KML More file conversions with ExpertGPS Pro

Bill G. asks:
I see that I can enter my hunting areas with expert GPS and did see some farm capabilities. How easy is it to put fence lines and gates on the maps? Can I pull in a Google Earth image and draw directly on that? Can I add and remove layers? example, maybe I don't want to see the deer trails, can I hide them and then view them again later? Thanks for your help!

It's as easy as pointing and clicking. You can trace fence lines directly off the aerial imagery of your fields. ExpertGPS does have a Layers feature, but even easier is to simply hide the data you want to temporarily remove from the map. Select the data, right-click, and Hide. When you want to see it all again, click Show All on the Edit menu.

The View in Google Earth command in ExpertGPS allows you to view your GPS data (waypoints, routes, and tracks) over the detailed color imagery in Google Earth. To use the command, open a GPX file in ExpertGPS, or retrieve the data from your GPS. Press F7, or click View in Google Earth on the View menu. ExpertGPS will instruct Google Earth to synchronize its map to match the map in ExpertGPS, and to show your GPS data.

If Google Earth is not already running when you click View in Google Earth, it may not show your data because it is busy initializing. To prevent this, run Google Earth and let it finish initializing and zoom in on the globe. Then click View in Google Earth in ExpertGPS.

You can also export your data from ExpertGPS to a KML file, which you can then view in Google Earth. Click on the map in ExpertGPS, and then click Export Data on Map on the File menu. Change the file type to .kml, and save to your desktop. Open the KML file in Google Earth.

ExpertGPS cannot display Google Earth's worldwide color imagery directly. Google's terms of use forbid this. You can, however, export an image from Google Earth and use it as a Scanned Map in ExpertGPS.

The ExpertGPS help file has complete details about preparing and geo-referencing your maps for use within the program.

Related Topics Adding a Google Earth image to ExpertGPS