KML Handbook, The: Geographic Visualization for the Web

“The way the information is presented appeals to teachers, hobbyists, web designers—anyone looking for a way to enhance their content by using customized maps.”
—Warren Kelly, Pastor

“It could become the de-facto tutorial volume for the subject, as well as the classic reference guide.”
—Thomas Duff, Lead Developer

“This book is written so well and is so easy to follow it’s a joy to go through.”
— Daniel McKinnon, Software Engineer

KML began as the file format for Google Earth, but it has evolved into a full-fledged international standard for describing any geographic content—the “HTML of geography.” It’s already supported by applications ranging from Microsoft Virtual Earth and NASA WorldWind to Photoshop and AutoCAD. You can do amazing things with KML, and this book will show you how, using practical examples drawn from today’s best online mapping applications.

Drawing on her extensive experience with the creators of KML, Wernecke teaches techniques that can be used by everyone from programmers to real estate agents, scientists, students, architects, virtual explorers, and more.

Highlights include

• Incorporating rich content in Placemark balloons
• Creating overlays that superimpose your images on standard Earth browsers
• Generating animations that move through Placemarks, Overlays, and Models
• Controlling and updating map content across the Web
• Managing large data sets using regions and custom data types
• Complete KML language reference: elements, types, syntax, file structure, and conventions

Downloads

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Online Sample Chapter

A Quick Tour of KML: Geographic Visualization for the Web

Sample Pages

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Table of Contents

Foreword     xiii
Preface     xv

Chapter 1: A Quick Tour       1
KML: An International Standard     2
Is the KML Specification Complete?     3
A Wealth of Resources      4
Creating and Sharing KML.       4
Tell Your Story with KML.      4
Sky in KML          8
“Hello, Earth”       9
The Copy-and-Paste Trick.      13
What’s Next?      13

Chapter 2: Placemarks and Balloons               15
X Marks the Spot 16
Customizing Your KML Presentation     17
Placemarks with Points      18
Default Balloon.     18
Modifying the Balloon      19
Specifying a Viewpoint       31
Flying to a Placemark in Google Earth      35
Other Children of Placemark      39
Syntax for <Placemark>       39
Related Feature Elements      40
Packaging Up KML Files into KMZ Archives           40
What’s Next?       43

Chapter 3: Geometry       45
Chapter Overview      46
Coordinates: A Closer Look     46
Line Strings      48
Polygons      55
MultiGeometry        62
Models       64
Including Author and Source Information      70
What’s Next?      70

Chapter 4: Styles and Icons         71
Chapter Overview     72
Travels through Literature     72
Building Blocks for Styles     73
Shared versus Inline Styles     96
Style Maps for Rollover Behavior      100
What’s Next?     107

Chapter 5: Overlays      109
Chapter Overview      110
What Is an Overlay?      110
Tools for Creating Overlays     112
Basic Concepts      113
Another Way to Specify the Viewpoint: Camera       116
Ground Overlay     123
Screen Overlay      128
PhotoOverlay       133
What’s Next?      143

Chapter 6: Network Link     145
Chapter Overview      146
What Is a Network Link?      147
Why Use Network Links?      149
Client/Server Basics      149
Syntax for <NetworkLink>        153
Simple Network Link Example      157
Refreshing Network Links     159
Advanced Example: Puff Volcanic Ash Tracking Model      160
Sending Information from Client-Side to Server-Side     164
Network Link Controls     171
What’s Next?     176

Chapter 7: Dynamic KML     177
Chapter Overview     178
Key Concepts     178
Updating KML     180
Time and Animation in KML     195
What’s Next?     211

Chapter 8: Dealing with Large Data Sets           213
Chapter Overview      214
Key Concepts      215
Regions     223
Super-Overlays     235
Extended Data      245
What’s Next?     259

Appendix A: KML Reference       261

Appendix B: Sky Data in KML     321

Index      331