HELP! KML to GPX or Mapsource, PCX
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AlphaOrion
Jul 29, 2005, 4:30:37 AM7/29/05
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I hope my BBS search skills aren't rusty, however after to hours of trying to find information on converting KML files to GPX files, all I ever stumbled upon was the opposite process: GPX to KML. I need to do the inverse: KML TO GPX.
I HAVE downloaded GPSBabel 1.2.6 (the latest Beta as well as 1.2.5). My Dell Dimension 4500 with WinXP SP2 Home runs Google Earth Plus smoothly, and importing waypoints from my Garmin GPSMAP96C was a breeze. I even was able to extract hard to get waypoints from my serially connected Garmin eTrex Vista. Not even the Mapsource software (the latest version as well) was able to do so. Anyway... I have all these useful placemarks for airstrips I can use in case of an emergency as a private pilot. Used google earth to confirm their location based on a 1:50000 map I used in locating them. I now need to pass them on to the GPS to go fly and confirm their existece and operative state. Not to mention the (hopefully never ocurring) emergency and lack of options if hese airstrips are not explored beforehand and marked properly on my trusty GPS.
Problem? yes!! Google Earth, albeit a good product, sucks by not letting me save in anything other than KML. and the GPSBabel? well... damn little thing will produce the output file in GPX, PCX, and other formats. Problem is Garmin's Mapsource won't read it. Other programs such as Ozi Explorer and even Notepad wont read info on output files. I tried generating GPX files from other programs and it worked fine when importing to mapsource, GE+, etc. The ones generetaed by GPSBabel are empty. Any clues as to what I might be doing wrong? Links or info to another utility that can be used to convert KML to GPX? PCX?
And... last but not least... when will the guys at GE+ include the option to save in different formats? GPX, Mapsource, etc.
Apologize my lenghty post, I am tired and just want some answers. Thanks in advance.
I HAVE downloaded GPSBabel 1.2.6 (the latest Beta as well as 1.2.5). My Dell Dimension 4500 with WinXP SP2 Home runs Google Earth Plus smoothly, and importing waypoints from my Garmin GPSMAP96C was a breeze. I even was able to extract hard to get waypoints from my serially connected Garmin eTrex Vista. Not even the Mapsource software (the latest version as well) was able to do so. Anyway... I have all these useful placemarks for airstrips I can use in case of an emergency as a private pilot. Used google earth to confirm their location based on a 1:50000 map I used in locating them. I now need to pass them on to the GPS to go fly and confirm their existece and operative state. Not to mention the (hopefully never ocurring) emergency and lack of options if hese airstrips are not explored beforehand and marked properly on my trusty GPS.
Problem? yes!! Google Earth, albeit a good product, sucks by not letting me save in anything other than KML. and the GPSBabel? well... damn little thing will produce the output file in GPX, PCX, and other formats. Problem is Garmin's Mapsource won't read it. Other programs such as Ozi Explorer and even Notepad wont read info on output files. I tried generating GPX files from other programs and it worked fine when importing to mapsource, GE+, etc. The ones generetaed by GPSBabel are empty. Any clues as to what I might be doing wrong? Links or info to another utility that can be used to convert KML to GPX? PCX?
And... last but not least... when will the guys at GE+ include the option to save in different formats? GPX, Mapsource, etc.
Apologize my lenghty post, I am tired and just want some answers. Thanks in advance.
Sirous_Nekooei
Jul 29, 2005, 5:00:30 AM7/29/05
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This is exactly the problem I encountered. I think the problem is with GPSBable as the output files are empty.
I hope the next versions of GE+ or GPSBable will fix it.
I have had to manually enter points by lat-long in mapsource!
Sirous
I hope the next versions of GE+ or GPSBable will fix it.
I have had to manually enter points by lat-long in mapsource!
Sirous
PenguinOpus
Jul 29, 2005, 11:42:53 PM7/29/05
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The next beta of GE+ will have fixes for Magellan Sportrack, a dialog box for .gpx input, and support .mps (mapsource) input. Available next week some time.
Unfortunately, outputing other formats is a harder problem that we will probably not be able to address until the next full release.
Unfortunately, outputing other formats is a harder problem that we will probably not be able to address until the next full release.
cybarber
Jul 30, 2005, 7:51:50 AM7/30/05
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Nonsens! Making GE output in GPX besides KML would surely not too dificult to do.
Just paid $20 and bought ne a Garmin GSP 6o as I thought I could export GE tracks!? But alas...
Anyway KML to GPX XSLT transformation is very easy so, I can manage.
Cybarber
Just paid $20 and bought ne a Garmin GSP 6o as I thought I could export GE tracks!? But alas...
Anyway KML to GPX XSLT transformation is very easy so, I can manage.
Cybarber
Hulk
Jul 30, 2005, 12:39:22 PM7/30/05
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Quote:
Nonsens! Making GE output in GPX besides KML would surely not too dificult to do.
Just paid $20 and bought ne a Garmin GSP 6o as I thought I could export GE tracks!? But alas...
Of course if you had read the product page you would know what it was you rented.
cybarber
Jul 30, 2005, 5:32:59 PM7/30/05
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Don't try to be smart, that is not the the point.
The point is if you pay a yearly fee of 20 dollars you may expect GE to be able to import aswell as export its data in the same formats.
The GE people will probably respond that it is still beta and all will come in the final version1 yES, GUYS AND DOLLS?
Nevertheless it is an awsome programm when they update the maps quickly to all car/swimmingpool/fog level resolution.
cYBARBER
The point is if you pay a yearly fee of 20 dollars you may expect GE to be able to import aswell as export its data in the same formats.
The GE people will probably respond that it is still beta and all will come in the final version1 yES, GUYS AND DOLLS?
Nevertheless it is an awsome programm when they update the maps quickly to all car/swimmingpool/fog level resolution.
cYBARBER
Hulk
Jul 31, 2005, 7:17:45 PM7/31/05
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Quote:
Don't try to be smart, that is not the the point.
Actually it is.
AlphaOrion
Aug 1, 2005, 11:12:32 PM8/1/05
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I shall be waiting for the save to GPX in the next version.
I was looking at the files the other day in notepad, I inferred that .gpx and .kml
both come from XML. It seems to me that some sort of text converter is all it would take to change tags from one format to the other. I might be wrong, as I am not a prorammer and my attempt to do a text converter in Excel failed
I am just trying to squeeze GPX from Google earth. My use? well... I find airstrips in my country which are on 1:50,000 maps. but not on any public lists. I then double check with Google Earth to make sure they are there, and then create the placemark. Once this is done I wish to transfer them to mapsource and my GPS so I can confirm existence, usability and have them there in case of emergency. I could do it by hand, but after 90-100 airstrips it gets tedious.
I was looking at the files the other day in notepad, I inferred that .gpx and .kml
both come from XML. It seems to me that some sort of text converter is all it would take to change tags from one format to the other. I might be wrong, as I am not a prorammer and my attempt to do a text converter in Excel failed
I am just trying to squeeze GPX from Google earth. My use? well... I find airstrips in my country which are on 1:50,000 maps. but not on any public lists. I then double check with Google Earth to make sure they are there, and then create the placemark. Once this is done I wish to transfer them to mapsource and my GPS so I can confirm existence, usability and have them there in case of emergency. I could do it by hand, but after 90-100 airstrips it gets tedious.
PenguinOpus
Aug 2, 2005, 2:07:59 AM8/2/05
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I can safely say that exporting to GPX won't be part of the final release of v3 of Google Earth. It definitely seems like something we should do in the next release. Long before then, someone will do an XSLT conversion of KML to GPX and offer a way for you to get what you want. Just a prediction, but the development energy around KML right now is quite high.
AlphaOrion
Aug 2, 2005, 1:28:40 PM8/2/05
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Thanks for the honest assesment PenguinOpus, I am pretty sure you guys are extremely excited on the kml format and developing your wonderful software! I don't blame you 
It must be fun working on something like this. As my necessity for gpx and half-knowledge of programming power forces me into the abyssal depths of dealing with transforming data, I regret having taken only ONE programming class in college. (knowledge of programming would let me do this quicker and "painlessly" but some cliches are true. No pain, no gain)
While comparing KML and GPX files yesterday in my favorite text editor, I finally understood XML (don't blame me, I am supposedly a Marketing manager not a programmer). Understanding it got me all excited because it dawned on me that all I need is to figure up some string replacement functions and whip up a script or program to do it. If each format has a specific tag for a specific kind of information it can certainly be changed to the other format. All I need is to extract data and attach new tags, then place them in appropriate order in gpx format. Given my limited experience with programming, I attempted to do something I am familiar with to see if it could be done: Using Excel's functions to convert a KML placemark file to GPX.
It is a simple and very crude converter, however after three hours of fiddling with the functions to make it flexible, I was able to make it work. I will post the sample later. Basically it works like this:
1. Open .kml file and copy ALL text
2. Paste text in a specified field on a worksheet in Excel
3. Use functions in a separate sheet to extract the compatible elements, or at least the esentials: latitude, longitude, elevation, name, time. These are a mix of MID, FIND functions. I used FIND to: set the starting position after the beggining tag, set the beggining position of the closing tag, and a subtraction of these FIND formulas to determine the length of the string to be extracted with the MID function. Each element has its own cell where it is calculated.
4. On the same sheet where the functions are located, I created cells where required portions (gpx schema location, version, etc.) of a valid gpx file are located.
5. On the same sheet where the .kml text is pasted, there is another cell with a CONCATENATE function that combines all the information from the main calculation sheet together and is basically the "end result".
6. Copy the text in this field and paste it into a blank text editor or notepad sheet.
7. Save as GPX and open in your favorite GPX program
Although it is limited to only ONE waypoint per kml file, I am pretty sure I am close to finding a way to processing infinite waypoints in one file.
So I am quite excited, except for the fact that now I need to figure out the following:
1. How to extract this information from a kml file with multiple waypoints AND/OR different types of elements such as tracks, routes, waypoints, etc.
2. How to directly access the .kml file without steps 1,2 above.
3. How to write a new .gpx file.
I know that javascript has some functions that can run this, and I am pretty sure C++, Visual Basic or others have this capability, but my programming experience extends only to the "Hello World!" program. If any experienced programmers with some spare time are willing to take a shot at conversion, please let me know. We could then add to GPSBabel perhaps.
It must be fun working on something like this. As my necessity for gpx and half-knowledge of programming power forces me into the abyssal depths of dealing with transforming data, I regret having taken only ONE programming class in college. (knowledge of programming would let me do this quicker and "painlessly" but some cliches are true. No pain, no gain)While comparing KML and GPX files yesterday in my favorite text editor, I finally understood XML (don't blame me, I am supposedly a Marketing manager not a programmer). Understanding it got me all excited because it dawned on me that all I need is to figure up some string replacement functions and whip up a script or program to do it. If each format has a specific tag for a specific kind of information it can certainly be changed to the other format. All I need is to extract data and attach new tags, then place them in appropriate order in gpx format. Given my limited experience with programming, I attempted to do something I am familiar with to see if it could be done: Using Excel's functions to convert a KML placemark file to GPX.
It is a simple and very crude converter, however after three hours of fiddling with the functions to make it flexible, I was able to make it work. I will post the sample later. Basically it works like this:
1. Open .kml file and copy ALL text
2. Paste text in a specified field on a worksheet in Excel
3. Use functions in a separate sheet to extract the compatible elements, or at least the esentials: latitude, longitude, elevation, name, time. These are a mix of MID, FIND functions. I used FIND to: set the starting position after the beggining tag, set the beggining position of the closing tag, and a subtraction of these FIND formulas to determine the length of the string to be extracted with the MID function. Each element has its own cell where it is calculated.
4. On the same sheet where the functions are located, I created cells where required portions (gpx schema location, version, etc.) of a valid gpx file are located.
5. On the same sheet where the .kml text is pasted, there is another cell with a CONCATENATE function that combines all the information from the main calculation sheet together and is basically the "end result".
6. Copy the text in this field and paste it into a blank text editor or notepad sheet.
7. Save as GPX and open in your favorite GPX program
Although it is limited to only ONE waypoint per kml file, I am pretty sure I am close to finding a way to processing infinite waypoints in one file.
So I am quite excited, except for the fact that now I need to figure out the following:
1. How to extract this information from a kml file with multiple waypoints AND/OR different types of elements such as tracks, routes, waypoints, etc.
2. How to directly access the .kml file without steps 1,2 above.
3. How to write a new .gpx file.
I know that javascript has some functions that can run this, and I am pretty sure C++, Visual Basic or others have this capability, but my programming experience extends only to the "Hello World!" program. If any experienced programmers with some spare time are willing to take a shot at conversion, please let me know. We could then add to GPSBabel perhaps.
cybarber
Aug 2, 2005, 7:55:48 PM8/2/05
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Its ready: KML2GPX.xslt The XSLT will be ready tomorrow if the weather in Holland is not too good to go for a mountain bike trip with my hopefully tomorrow arriving Garmin GPS 60.
Cybarber
Cybarber
AlphaOrion
Aug 2, 2005, 10:53:35 PM8/2/05
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cybarber
How do you convert KML to GPX?
How do you convert KML to GPX?
cybarber
Aug 3, 2005, 5:55:15 AM8/3/05
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AlphaOrion,
Please google for XSLT ( an XML vocabulary to transform XML to XML/HTML/Text)
http://www.w3schools.com/xsl/xsl_intro.asp
Cy
Please google for XSLT ( an XML vocabulary to transform XML to XML/HTML/Text)
http://www.w3schools.com/xsl/xsl_intro.asp
Cy
AlphaOrion
Aug 3, 2005, 8:07:15 PM8/3/05
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Thanks Cybarber, I googled it before your reply and was reading the XSLT so I do have a vague notion of what it is and seems it is just the perfect solution! 
. Haven't tried doing any actual conversion with it, as I was fiddling yesterday and today with my newly discovered programming ability since I decided I had to try some programming before giving up 
. I searched for appropriate compilers, tutorials, etc. 
The decision was to get visual basic express 2005 and after learning the basics, found myself running code and debugging, with my first strings popping out the desired portions to be extracted from the KML file 
. I was halfway into this when I read your previous post, so I have been one-track-minded as of yet. 
Apparently my effort has paid off in my first CRUDE executable waypoint-only converter from KML to GPX. 
You now might imagine how excited I am! For those using windows XP and interested in this converter, send me a post, I will let you have a copy to test out.
Did you go biking?
. Haven't tried doing any actual conversion with it, as I was fiddling yesterday and today with my newly discovered programming ability since I decided I had to try some programming before giving up . I searched for appropriate compilers, tutorials, etc. The decision was to get visual basic express 2005 and after learning the basics, found myself running code and debugging, with my first strings popping out the desired portions to be extracted from the KML file . I was halfway into this when I read your previous post, so I have been one-track-minded as of yet. Apparently my effort has paid off in my first CRUDE executable waypoint-only converter from KML to GPX. You now might imagine how excited I am! For those using windows XP and interested in this converter, send me a post, I will let you have a copy to test out.Did you go biking?
Sirous_Nekooei
Aug 5, 2005, 11:42:39 AM8/5/05
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exssnrg
Aug 6, 2005, 10:57:16 PM8/6/05
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Cybarber - Any luck writing this converter? I'd sure like to test it. Must be good weather in Holland.
Hulk
Aug 7, 2005, 12:09:23 AM8/7/05
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Quote:
Links or info to another utility that can be used to convert KML to GPX? PCX?
Apparently they have added an online conversion thing at GPXchange.com - haven't tried it myself though.
LetsGoFishN
Aug 8, 2005, 11:05:36 AM8/8/05
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I had the same problem!!
So i built this little utility to fix it.
go to
Fish-Track.com KMLtoGPX
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/
you can convert your kml files to gpx.
Let me know if there are any problems.
Currently this utlity only converts waypoints.
I will look into expanding the functionality of the transform and adding a GPX to KML tool. This way you won't need the $20 upgrade to google earth. Of course i think you should support Google Earth, but the upgrade was pretty disapointing when i found out i could not export my points straight to my GPS.
So i built this little utility to fix it.
go to
Fish-Track.com KMLtoGPX
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/
you can convert your kml files to gpx.
Let me know if there are any problems.
Currently this utlity only converts waypoints.
I will look into expanding the functionality of the transform and adding a GPX to KML tool. This way you won't need the $20 upgrade to google earth. Of course i think you should support Google Earth
, but the upgrade was pretty disapointing when i found out i could not export my points straight to my GPS.
LetsGoFishN
Aug 8, 2005, 3:01:33 PM8/8/05
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Sorry i posted this earlier in the wrong area.
I had the same problem!!
So i built this little utility to fix it.
go to
Fish-Track.com KMLtoGPX
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/
you can convert your kml files to gpx.
Let me know if there are any problems.
Currently this utlity only converts waypoints.
I will look into expanding the functionality of the transform and adding a GPX to KML tool. This way you won't need the $20 upgrade to google earth. Of course i think you should support Google Earth , but the upgrade was pretty disapointing when i found out i could not export my points straight to my GPS. 
I had the same problem!!
So i built this little utility to fix it.
go to
Fish-Track.com KMLtoGPX
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/
you can convert your kml files to gpx.
Let me know if there are any problems.
Currently this utlity only converts waypoints.
LetsGoFishN
Aug 8, 2005, 6:15:39 PM8/8/05
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if any one tried to use this, it was temporarily broken, but it should work now
Sirous_Nekooei
Aug 9, 2005, 3:16:25 AM8/9/05
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Quote:
Let me know if there are any problems.
Currently this utlity only converts waypoints.
Sounds good; it works apparently (although I have not converted complicated files, nor tested the gpx in mapsource.
But why haven't you made it as a stand oalone exe file? Does it have to convert the files online?
Sirous
Sirous_Nekooei
Aug 9, 2005, 5:37:00 AM8/9/05
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Quote:
it should work now
Oh no, some of the placemarks are off by 3 miles!
Looking forward to be fixed.
Sirous
LetsGoFishN
Aug 10, 2005, 1:23:39 PM8/10/05
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Sorry about that, i didn't fully read the kml Specification.
I was using longitude and latitude tags instead of coordinates.
I have also fixed the way points only problem. It should now read waypoints and paths.
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/index.cfm
I was using longitude and latitude tags instead of coordinates.
I have also fixed the way points only problem. It should now read waypoints and paths.
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/index.cfm
Hulk
Aug 10, 2005, 2:11:47 PM8/10/05
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Quote:
Sorry about that, i didn't fully read the kml Specification.
I was using longitude and latitude tags instead of coordinates.
What's the difference? (Since you read the specs
)
Sirous_Nekooei
Aug 10, 2005, 4:47:22 PM8/10/05
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Thanks,
You fixed it. But when I attepted to open the gpx in mapsource 6.5, it said: .....could not be imported.
I treied to convert the gpx to mps by GPSBable, and it was successfull.
Sirous
You fixed it. But when I attepted to open the gpx in mapsource 6.5, it said: .....could not be imported.
I treied to convert the gpx to mps by GPSBable, and it was successfull.
Sirous
Hulk
Aug 10, 2005, 4:58:33 PM8/10/05
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They are up to 6.7 with mapsource - free upgrade.
AlphaOrion
Aug 12, 2005, 2:35:24 AM8/12/05
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I did test it with MapSource 6.5 and it was quite troublesome. I downloaded 6.7 and tested it with that and seemd to work better. I got many of the "can't read" erors while debugging, so I made the program to add the least possible filler to the gpx file so that mapsource could read it. Download the latest mapsource and try with that, i'm pretty sure it will work directly. For now even if it means passing it via another program, at least the names, coordinates, etc. are maintained and you can communicate between the different formats.
I will be travelling this week into beautiful California, using output from my converter. Will tell you how it all goes
I will be travelling this week into beautiful California, using output from my converter. Will tell you how it all goes
Sirous_Nekooei
Aug 12, 2005, 3:59:30 AM8/12/05
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Quote:
I downloaded 6.7 and tested it with that and seemd to work better.
I upgraded to 6.7, and, nothing...
It says: ....caould not be imported.
Sirous
AlphaOrion
Aug 15, 2005, 2:40:48 AM8/15/05
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That's Odd.. is this problem with the online converter or the standalone exe? If it is with mine, I will get time to work on it when I go back home. right now I am with my laptop seated next to the ocean, and happy to report that google earth is so precise, my friends were amazed I found the places with nothing else but the addresses they gave me. The conversion doesn't alter the coordinates and my garmin gpsmap 96c does a wonderful job of guiding me to the spots. Meantime, try saving kml files of only single waypoints, trying those out. Then try doing folders of waypoints only. Othwerise, just a little time and it hopefully will all get fixed in due time when I get home.
For now, I shall enjoy my vacation in the California coastline
For now, I shall enjoy my vacation in the California coastline
cybarber
Aug 15, 2005, 5:31:34 AM8/15/05
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Links to my
gpx10t011.xslt
gpx v1.0 to v1.1 and
to my
gpx11to10.xslt
GPX v1.1 to 1.0
are active.
Hope to post this week also a small HTML application to do the
transforms and save them locally.
I hope that also my gpx to kml and kml to gpx transformation sheets
will be ready then.
GPX2KML.xslt
GML2KML.xslt
William A Slabbekoorn
gpx10t011.xslt
gpx v1.0 to v1.1 and
to my
gpx11to10.xslt
GPX v1.1 to 1.0
are active.
Hope to post this week also a small HTML application to do the
transforms and save them locally.
I hope that also my gpx to kml and kml to gpx transformation sheets
will be ready then.
GPX2KML.xslt
GML2KML.xslt
William A Slabbekoorn
cybarber
Aug 15, 2005, 6:03:20 AM8/15/05
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The online converter script makes a mistake in adding a space in front of the lon value in case of rtept.
This makes the file invalid against the Schema.
<rtept lat="36.09445214722695" lon=" -112 .2656634181359">
should be:
<rtept lat="36.09445214722695" lon="-112 .2656634181359">
Cybarber
This makes the file invalid against the Schema.
<rtept lat="36.09445214722695" lon=" -112 .2656634181359">
should be:
<rtept lat="36.09445214722695" lon="-112 .2656634181359">
Cybarber
LetsGoFishN
Aug 18, 2005, 11:16:19 PM8/18/05
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i stripped the spaces, it should work now. Thanks for the help.
let me know.
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/index.cfm
let me know.
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/index.cfm
avolcoff
Aug 21, 2005, 3:02:28 AM8/21/05
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got the following error when trying to convert a route that was created by google earth:
Element XMLPARENT.NAME.XMLTEXT is undefined in a Java object of type class coldfusion.xml.XmlNodeMap referenced as
The error occurred in C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\fishtrack\kmltogpx\index.cfm: line 76
74 :
75 : <rte>
76 : <name>#coords.XmlParent.name.XmlText#</name>
77 : <extensions>
78 : <gpxx:RouteExtension xmlns:gpxx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v2" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v2 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v2/GpxExtensionsv2.xsd">
Element XMLPARENT.NAME.XMLTEXT is undefined in a Java object of type class coldfusion.xml.XmlNodeMap referenced as
The error occurred in C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\fishtrack\kmltogpx\index.cfm: line 76
74 :
75 : <rte>
76 : <name>#coords.XmlParent.name.XmlText#</name>
77 : <extensions>
78 : <gpxx:RouteExtension xmlns:gpxx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v2" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v2 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v2/GpxExtensionsv2.xsd">
Hulk
Aug 22, 2005, 12:05:14 PM8/22/05
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I have a comment about semantics, on your site you write that kml files can be translate
"into MapSource GPX files" - this makes it sound like its a file format made by Garmin (the people who makes MapSource) - it isn't. GPX is an open fileformat, and is used by a ton of other programs, and Garmin jumped on the wagon somewhat late. As I understand it they did add a few extra tags, but that doesn't make it their format, and they shouldn't get the credit.
And the GPX file can be read by a lot of other programs, the whole point of making the open format in the beginning.
I think it could be put differently, like "This utility will allow you transform your Google Earth KML files into GPX files" - and one could add "which can be read by many different programs like EasyGPS, MapSource, QuakeMap, Photoscape3D,GPSMapEdit and many others."
"into MapSource GPX files" - this makes it sound like its a file format made by Garmin (the people who makes MapSource) - it isn't. GPX is an open fileformat, and is used by a ton of other programs, and Garmin jumped on the wagon somewhat late. As I understand it they did add a few extra tags, but that doesn't make it their format, and they shouldn't get the credit.
And the GPX file can be read by a lot of other programs, the whole point of making the open format in the beginning.
I think it could be put differently, like "This utility will allow you transform your Google Earth KML files into GPX files" - and one could add "which can be read by many different programs like EasyGPS, MapSource, QuakeMap, Photoscape3D,GPSMapEdit and many others."
Sirous_Nekooei
Aug 25, 2005, 5:18:58 AM8/25/05
to KML Discussions
Quote:
i stripped the spaces, it should work now. Thanks for the help.
let me know.
Good! It's working scince you have fixed the online converter.
Have you updated the stand-alone software? and where is it?
Sirous
DerekRosen
Sep 6, 2005, 9:05:47 PM9/6/05
to KML Discussions
Free utility available:
See posting "Free KML to GPX Converter (KML2GPX.exe)"
See posting "Free KML to GPX Converter (KML2GPX.exe)"
Sirous_Nekooei
Sep 17, 2005, 3:40:46 PM9/17/05
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Quote:
Unfortunately, outputing other formats is a harder problem that we will probably not be able to address until the next full release.
Please see this post.
Sirous
LetsGoFishN
Sep 28, 2005, 11:55:08 AM9/28/05
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Thanks for the suggestion, iwill make the change. I am new to the GPS world and honestly i did not do much research on the GPX format before i went into it. I just created the program out of personal need and added it to the website in hopes it would help others.
cybarber
Sep 28, 2005, 7:42:02 PM9/28/05
to KML Discussions
Most of my XSLT stylesheet and the first draft of the GUI(IE/windows) is online:
see post: GPX KML GML xslt transformations
KML to GPX, GPX to GPX, GPX to KML and GML to KML.
Cybarber
see post: GPX KML GML xslt transformations
KML to GPX, GPX to GPX, GPX to KML and GML to KML.
Cybarber
cybarber
Sep 29, 2005, 6:45:28 PM9/29/05
to KML Discussions
The convertors are more or less ready now.
Please see following post
XSLT convertors with GUI
Cybarber
Please see following post
XSLT convertors with GUI
Cybarber
AzamAjmal
Oct 17, 2005, 3:31:43 PM10/17/05
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Could you mail the Excel file
parentware
Oct 25, 2005, 7:08:53 AM10/25/05
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www.edda.ws/public/waypoints.zip
1. enter your placemarks and give them sequential numeric names like 001 - home, 002 - L 138, 003 - R 113 (shorthand for 3rd waypoint, turn Right onto Hwy 113 . . . the only IMPORTANT part is the number)
2. save the list as a KML file.
3. open Mapsource to an empty file - just the map, no waypoints
4 start waypoints.exe and Open the KML file
5. if you want a Route to Navigate then check the Create Route option
6. Click the process button and watch the magic happen.
I usually save the resulting Mapsource route as a gpx file and add that to my library of routes. I use this to create back country motorcycle routes to use on my 76-C . . . the waypoint naming convention creates large text on the GPS screen that tells me the next waypoint is an L (left), R(right), C (continue), or S (scheduled stop for some reason). This is an incredibly simple solution that just works!
1. enter your placemarks and give them sequential numeric names like 001 - home, 002 - L 138, 003 - R 113 (shorthand for 3rd waypoint, turn Right onto Hwy 113 . . . the only IMPORTANT part is the number)
2. save the list as a KML file.
3. open Mapsource to an empty file - just the map, no waypoints
4 start waypoints.exe and Open the KML file
5. if you want a Route to Navigate then check the Create Route option
6. Click the process button and watch the magic happen.
I usually save the resulting Mapsource route as a gpx file and add that to my library of routes. I use this to create back country motorcycle routes to use on my 76-C . . . the waypoint naming convention creates large text on the GPS screen that tells me the next waypoint is an L (left), R(right), C (continue), or S (scheduled stop for some reason). This is an incredibly simple solution that just works!
Auldthief
Nov 16, 2005, 4:55:51 AM11/16/05
to KML Discussions
Hey Thanks a TON for the program! However (yes... he he) I cant transform this file.It gives me an error.Both the file and the error screen capture are attached in the zipped attachment.Do look into it!
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
sevenofnine
Nov 19, 2005, 10:42:49 AM11/19/05
to KML Discussions
I brought some fairly rough digitized linework into GE as a shapefile. I was able to greatly improve the accuracy of the routes (goes through pass instead of solid rock of mountain) using GE terrain and imagery. I would like to do some further geospatial analysis with my improved data, but need to get it out of GE and into ArcGIS. What is available? Could I export as a shapefile, or is there some kind of export that would output a comma separated file that would include coordinate points and attribute data so that I could import into ArcGIS? Thanks.
tomdlind
Nov 20, 2005, 1:26:05 AM11/20/05
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WOW, that worked great. I now have my GE KML in GPX format and it opened in Mapsource and then it successfully dl'ed to my Vista. Only problem was there were too many waypoints in my route and it truncated almost half of them. I will have to do it in atleast two downloads. Thanks for the great application. Is it available for offline use?
Thanks,
tomdlind
Thanks,
tomdlind
moskoffsi
Jan 6, 2006, 2:53:07 PM1/6/06
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Look at this sweet little program
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/index.cfm
There is another web based program out there, but it doens't work worth a hoot.
The one above is sweet.
http://www.fish-track.com/kmltogpx/index.cfm
There is another web based program out there, but it doens't work worth a hoot.
The one above is sweet.
cybarber
Jan 7, 2006, 1:31:02 PM1/7/06
to KML Discussions
Hi,
If you want some parameters (KML path or Points to GPX for instance) you cando your transforms with:
KmlGpxGmlPlt convertor
ou can also transform your GPXv1.0 to v1.1 and vice versa.
Also in this post:
KML-GPX convertor
Cheers,
Cybarber
If you want some parameters (KML path or Points to GPX for instance) you cando your transforms with:
KmlGpxGmlPlt convertor
ou can also transform your GPXv1.0 to v1.1 and vice versa.
Also in this post:
KML-GPX convertor
Cheers,
Cybarber
AlphaOrion
Jan 21, 2006, 11:02:37 AM1/21/06
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Hey everyone, sorry for suddenly dropping of the face of the planet without sharing my converter online first. The software is now ready to download from the below provided link, but...
BUT: The problem with this software is that the computer running it needs to have the .NET framework v2.0.50215 for the converter to work. Anything below 2.0.50215 Will NOT work, it needs v2.0.50215 or more specifically. So far I found a version which I have not had time to test (have to uninstall Visual Studio and install this other runtime). So try step 1 below first, and if it doesn't work, you have to download the visual studio express 2005 from microsofts website, install it, and then you will be able to run the software I coded. I wish I had more experience, time and knowledge to set up a proper application that runs completely stand-alone. Again for those pro at programming in any language, I would gladly submit my ideas about the conversion software, which isbasically string manipulation on steroids. So:
1. Download and install the Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the Microsoft Office System (VSTO2005) Redistributable Package Beta 2 (x86)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detai...;DisplayLang=en
2. Then download and RUN my converter: (Guaranteed virus free by Norton)
http://www.tropicalrambler.com/converter/KMLtoGPX.exe
Use:
Save a KML file from within google earth with ONLY waypoints. It CAN be a folder with several points in it.
Run the converter, and indicate the location of the newly created kml file.
Rename the output file to whatever you pleas eif desired.
Convert it.
Test out your new GPX file in your favorite program (I use mapsource)
3. If the converter doesn't run, then you have to download Visual Studio Express 2005:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/
Install it, then try my converter. It only does waypoints currently, sometime in the future I will try my hand at tracks and routes.
Let me know if doing step 1 and 2 above provides the solution of a working converter. I don't offer support as I am too busy playing with the GPS in the outdoors. But I will be periodically checking the forum.
Thanks for the interest,
BUT: The problem with this software is that the computer running it needs to have the .NET framework v2.0.50215 for the converter to work. Anything below 2.0.50215 Will NOT work, it needs v2.0.50215 or more specifically. So far I found a version which I have not had time to test (have to uninstall Visual Studio and install this other runtime). So try step 1 below first, and if it doesn't work, you have to download the visual studio express 2005 from microsofts website, install it, and then you will be able to run the software I coded. I wish I had more experience, time and knowledge to set up a proper application that runs completely stand-alone. Again for those pro at programming in any language, I would gladly submit my ideas about the conversion software, which isbasically string manipulation on steroids. So:
1. Download and install the Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the Microsoft Office System (VSTO2005) Redistributable Package Beta 2 (x86)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detai...;DisplayLang=en
2. Then download and RUN my converter: (Guaranteed virus free by Norton
)http://www.tropicalrambler.com/converter/KMLtoGPX.exe
Use:
Save a KML file from within google earth with ONLY waypoints. It CAN be a folder with several points in it.
Run the converter, and indicate the location of the newly created kml file.
Rename the output file to whatever you pleas eif desired.
Convert it.
Test out your new GPX file in your favorite program (I use mapsource)
3. If the converter doesn't run, then you have to download Visual Studio Express 2005:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/
Install it, then try my converter. It only does waypoints currently, sometime in the future I will try my hand at tracks and routes.
Let me know if doing step 1 and 2 above provides the solution of a working converter. I don't offer support as I am too busy playing with the GPS in the outdoors. But I will be periodically checking the forum.
Thanks for the interest,
AlphaOrion
Jan 21, 2006, 10:44:19 PM1/21/06
to KML Discussions
Alas, GPS Babel 1.2.8 FINALLY supports KML to GPX translation.
As of this moment I officially withdraw any further attempts to program more to enhance my converter. It was fun though
Thanks for support and help
As of this moment I officially withdraw any further attempts to program more to enhance my converter. It was fun though
Thanks for support and help
dni
Sep 20, 2006, 4:35:46 PM9/20/06
to KML Discussions
i found this posting, but it does not seem to work for me:
http://cse-mjmcl.cse.bris.ac.uk/blog/2005/07/26/1122414882406.html
are there any other methods out there for converting KML files into points on a Google Map?
i would really like to be able to have the map i have created be available via a browser as well....
thx
P.S. I have tried this method: http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=41136
but it seems to max out at around 30+ points...
http://cse-mjmcl.cse.bris.ac.uk/blog/2005/07/26/1122414882406.html
are there any other methods out there for converting KML files into points on a Google Map?
i would really like to be able to have the map i have created be available via a browser as well....
thx
P.S. I have tried this method: http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=41136
but it seems to max out at around 30+ points...
summer
Jul 31, 2012, 4:57:41 AM7/31/12
to kml-support-g...@googlegroups.com
If
you want to convert KML files to GPX files or the other way around, an easy way
is with this free online converter http://kml2gpx.com/
On Friday, July 29, 2005 11:30:37 AM UTC+3, AlphaOrion wrote:
On Friday, July 29, 2005 11:30:37 AM UTC+3, AlphaOrion wrote:
I hope my BBS search skills aren't rusty, however after to hours of trying to find information on converting KML files to GPX files, all I ever stumbled upon was the opposite process: GPX to KML. I need to do the inverse: KML TO GPX.
I HAVE downloaded GPSBabel 1.2.6 (the latest Beta as well as 1.2.5). My Dell Dimension 4500 with WinXP SP2 Home runs Google Earth Plus smoothly, and importing waypoints from my Garmin GPSMAP96C was a breeze. I even was able to extract hard to get waypoints from my serially connected Garmin eTrex Vista. Not even the Mapsource software (the latest version as well) was able to do so. Anyway... I have all these useful placemarks for airstrips I can use in case of an emergency as a private pilot. Used google earth to confirm their location based on a 1:50000 map I used in locating them. I now need to pass them on to the GPS to go fly and confirm their existece and operative state. Not to mention the (hopefully never ocurring) emergency and lack of options if hese airstrips are not explored beforehand and marked properly on my trusty GPS.
Problem? yes!! Google Earth, albeit a good product, sucks by not letting me save in anything other than KML. and the GPSBabel? well... damn little thing will produce the output file in GPX, PCX, and other formats. Problem is Garmin's Mapsource won't read it. Other programs such as Ozi Explorer and even Notepad wont read info on output files. I tried generating GPX files from other programs and it worked fine when importing to mapsource, GE+, etc. The ones generetaed by GPSBabel are empty. Any clues as to what I might be doing wrong? Links or info to another utility that can be used to convert KML to GPX? PCX?
And... last but not least... when will the guys at GE+ include the option to save in different formats? GPX, Mapsource, etc.
Apologize my lenghty post, I am tired and just want some answers. Thanks in advance.
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