Google Maps – Not Just Pretty Pictures Improving CAP Mission Planning through GIS software. Lt Col Chet Wilberg

Agenda Definitions Features Drawbacks How to learn more Demo Questions

Definitions KML ▫Keyhole Markup Language ▫XML Notation for mapping ▫Plan language version of KMZ file KMZ ▫Compressed KML file

Features FREE!!! Relatively easy to learn Ability to organize items logically into folders. Ability to share maps with others ▫Can export data to KML/KMZ files to share with other Google Earth Users or other GIS programs. ▫Can merge multiple KML files together. Find anything easily. ▫Search box can find any point by Lat/Long, USNG, UTM or by anything you can type into Google as a search.

Features Many Built In Layers ▫Borders and Labels (Cities, Counties, States, etc) ▫Roads ▫3D buildings ▫Weather  Satellite (Static and Animated)  Radar (Static and Animated)  Ocean/Large Lake Observations ▫Street View

Features Can Integrate data from Multiple Sources ▫National Weather Service  METARS  Flood Gauges  Almost every product they have is available as KML. ▫Charts  USNG, CAP SAR Grids, Sectionals, IFR Charts ▫Make your own layers  Extensive KML Reference Online ▫ARGUS Images ▫AFRCC Cell/Radar Data

Features Ability to import GPS Tracks Import Pictures from Picasa

Drawbacks Only displays coordinates in Latitude/Longitude DMS format. ▫Coordinates can be entered in any format. Cannot natively do Circles ▫Add-ons and utilities are available to do this, but not always the easiest to use.

Getting Help Online Tutorials on Google’s Website If in doubt, Google your question.

DEMO

Questions? Lt Col Chet Wilberg