Google Maps – Not Just Pretty PicturesImproving CAP Mission Planning through GIS software.

Lt Col Chet Wilbergcwilberg@mncap.org

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•cwilberg@mncap.org