Animation and zooming via KML files

[Phil Puccio]

Hi,

I'm considering using Google Maps to display graphical weather forecast information. The forecast info will be displayed using contour lines, radar imagery, wind barbs, etc. I will need to be able to pan & zoom as well as to animate across forecast hours.

I was advised to begin by looking into the use of KML files, but I've hit a couple of obstacles: 1) I think I would have to supply sets of tiles containing contiguous images for each of the zoom levels I plan to support, but I don't see how to represent multiple zoom levels within a KML document, and 2) I found a description of how to do animation (http://code.google.com/apis/kml/documentation/time.html) from a KML file, but it appears specific to Google Earth, not Google Maps, and seems to prefer to animate Point Placemarks instead of the image overlays I think I would have to use to display my forecast data.

Am I on the right path looking at KML, or is there a better approach for implementing the pan/zoom and animation using my forecast images? Any pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much,

Phil

[Grok Lobster]

KML and tiles are separate solutions - KML just zooms, tiles need varying layers of zoom levels. If you can conveniently get your data into KML form, that is probably a better option depending on the size of the KML files. Also, you don't need to limit yourself to just KML, you can add jpeg or other image overlays. You should also check into the Google Earth Browser Plug-in which allows you to do Google Earth type things in a browser

Here is a demo (v2 of the Maps API) that uses publicly available jpegs (possibly gif - I forget) from the US National Weather Service to show animated weather

http://greg-koppel.site88.net/maps/AnimatedRadar.html

Here is another demo (v3 of the Maps API) that uses KML and styled maps

http://greg-koppel.site88.net/maps/EvergreenStylizedMap.html 

A GE plugin demo tour

http://greg-koppel.site88.net/maps/RyderCup_Tour.html 

 

[Phil Puccio]

Thanks for your reply, Grok.

Perhaps I used the term "tiles" too generically. I've found the
documentation "Working with Regions" (http://code.google.com/apis/kml/
documentation/regions.html) that appears to show how KML files can be
used to implement tiling and zooming. Now I just have to figure out
whether I can add animation to such KML files, and then whether my
users will need to install the Earth plug-in.

Thanks for the thoughts and the links to demos.

Phil

On Jan 9, 10:26 pm, Grok Lobster wrote:
> KML and tiles are separate solutions - KML just zooms, tiles need varying
> layers of zoom levels. If you can conveniently get your data into KML form,
> that is probably a better option depending on the size of the KML files.
> Also, you don't need to limit yourself to just KML, you can add jpeg or
> other image overlays. You should also check into the Google Earth Browser
> Plug-in which allows you to do Google Earth type things in a browser
>
> Here is a demo (v2 of the Maps API) that uses publicly available jpegs
> (possibly gif - I forget) from the US National Weather Service to show

> animated weatherhttp://greg-koppel.site88.net/maps/AnimatedRadar.html
>
> Here is another demo (v3 of the Maps API) that uses KML and styled mapshttp://greg-koppel.site88.net/maps/EvergreenStylizedMap.html

[Phil Puccio]

Thanks for your reply, Grok.

Perhaps I used the term "tiles" too generically. I've found the
documentation "Working with Regions" (http://code.google.com/apis/kml/
documentation/regions.html) that appears to show how KML files can be
used to implement tiling and zooming. Now I just have to figure out
whether I can add animation to such KML files, and then whether my
users will need to install the Earth plug-in.

Thanks for the thoughts and the links to demos.

Phil

On Jan 9, 10:26 pm, Grok Lobster wrote:

> KML and tiles are separate solutions - KML just zooms, tiles need varying
> layers of zoom levels. If you can conveniently get your data into KML form,
> that is probably a better option depending on the size of the KML files.
> Also, you don't need to limit yourself to just KML, you can add jpeg or
> other image overlays. You should also check into the Google Earth Browser
> Plug-in which allows you to do Google Earth type things in a browser
>
> Here is a demo (v2 of the Maps API) that uses publicly available jpegs
> (possibly gif - I forget) from the US National Weather Service to show

> animated weatherhttp://greg-koppel.site88.net/maps/AnimatedRadar.html
>
> Here is another demo (v3 of the Maps API) that uses KML and styled mapshttp://greg-koppel.site88.net/maps/EvergreenStylizedMap.html

[Rossko]

It is possible to put animated weather on Maps API based maps with
custom coding.

There is no native suppport in the Maps API for any time-based KML
activity.

Upshot is that KML is a good solution to show weather animations in
Earth - but a poor solution for Maps without a lot of quite intricate
coding of a custom KML renderer and time manager (and quite likely
poor performance too).

As mentioned you can use the GE API in a webpage instead of (or even
alongside) Maps, it does require the user to download a browser plug-
in.

[alex.s...@gmail.com]

Hi
 I need the radar kml animation on map v3.

please help ..it's very urgent