The final Module of GIS 5007L was an exercise that solely focused on Google Earth. Using ArcGIS Pro, we imported the data provided for this exercise and converted it into a KML [Keyhole Markup Language] file; this file type is mainly used in Google Earth to create interactive 3D maps. I use these functions almost daily at work because most of our clients do not utilize the same GIS software that our company does, and KML files can be viewed on any computer with Google Earth Pro installed [this program can be downloaded for free here].
As shown in the screenshot above, we created a dot density map of southern Florida that also featured some polygonal layers that illustrated the locations of many large lakes, marshes / swamps, and streams throughout the southern half of the state. The legend was provided as a JPG file, so I imported this image into ArcGIS prior to the KML conversion, and utilized the eyedropper tool to match the colors of the polygons to the colors in the legend perfectly.
After the KML file was created, we added the legend to the screen so the map viewer can see it through the Google Earth interface. Per the lab instructions, we were to insert the legend as a graphic overlay; this essentially assigns it a geographic location and forms it against the surface of the Earth, causing some distortion within the legend. One of the student leaders offered some excellent advice on how to insert the legend as a screen overlay, which places it at a particular location on the screen [as opposed to a geographical location]. This gave the legend its original appearance and did not cause any distortion; I was very pleased with the outcome.
The second half of the exercise was creating a 3D tour of southern Florida. In my tour, I begin with a global shot of Earth's western hemisphere and then it zooms into the southern Florida region, bringing up the layers of the KML created in the first half of the lab. Then, it zooms in further to the Miami metropolitan area, displaying Jupiter, Florida all the way south to Homestead, Florida. After this shot, the camera zooms into a 3D view of downtown Miami, and the layers / legend are removed from the screen. There is an orbit around the Miami central business district and then the camera flies over to Ft. Lauderdale, followed by an orbit of the central business district of this city. Next, the computer zooms back out to satellite view over the Tampa Bay metropolitan district [Layers / legend are turned on for this shot]. The camera then zooms back in to 3D view and orbits around Tampa Bay and then St. Petersburg before zooming back out to the entire southern Florida shot again. Finally, the computer zooms all the way back out to the original view of the global western hemisphere that began this 3D tour. Anyone that has Google Earth Pro installed on their computer can download and view the tour by clicking the link below; once the KML is loaded, just double click the '3d Tour' link in the pane on the left side of the screen [Make sure the 3D Buildings layer is turned on].
This lab assignment presented no major obstacles but was an enjoyable way to end this semester and a great opportunity to explore the capabilities of Google Earth that I do not get to utilize often.
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