RockWorks | Utilities | EarthApps | Lines | Polylines | Multiple
This program:
- Reads from the datasheet a listing of the names of one or more external text files which list XY locations and Z elevations for the vertices for the separate polylines.
- Creates a KML output file with connected line segments drawn between these vertices using a fixed color. The polylines can be clamped to the ground, plotted at an elevation relative to the ground, or at an absolute elevation.
- Creates a KMZ (zip) output file, containing the KML file.
- Loads the KMZ file in Google Earth.
See also: Google Earth Polyline Maps - Single
Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary
- Data Columns: These prompts tell RockWorks which columns in the current datasheet contain the input data.
Click on an existing name to select a different name from the drop-down list. See a sample data layout below.
- Name: Select the column that contains the text to label the polyline in the Google Earth side panel.
- File Name: Select the column that contains the names of the external .rwDat files containing the polyline vertices.
Tip: use the File | Import | Create File List program to quickly create a list of specified file names.
- Line Style
- Color: Defines the color for the polylines. Click on the color sample to choose a color.
- Thickness (pixels): Defines the thickness for the polylines. ("1" = thin lines, "3" = thick lines)
- Altitude
- Altitude Mode
- Clamp to Ground: Choose this for the line segments to lie along the ground topography. Note that long segments will be subdivided automatically to hug the ground.
- Relative to Ground: Choose this for the polyline segments to plot a specified distance above ground. The elevations above ground are specified by the Z coordinates in the external XYZ files. Note that this offset is assigned to the line endpoints, so that short lines will mirror the topography but long lines will not.
- Absolute: Choose this to float the polyline vertices at a specific elevation regardless of the ground surface. The absolute elevations are specified by the Z coordinates in the external XYZ files.
- Extrude: Check this option if you've selected above-ground display of the polyline (Relative or Absolute, above) and want to display the segments as extruded panels coming up from ground level, giving an appearance of a fence.
- Fill Color: Defines the color for the extruded panels. Click on the current color swatch to change the color. In the example below, the polyline is plotted in blue, at relative elevations, with the extruded panels filled red.
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- Override Elevations: Check this option if you want to override the elevation values in the linked files, and plot all of the polylines at a specified elevation.
- Elevation (Meters): Click here to type in the relative or absolute (as defined above) elevation in meters.
- Group Name: Type in the name to assign to the map, which will be displayed in the Google Earth data tree.
- Output Options: Click on this tab to define the output file and display settings.
- Output File Name
- Automatic: Choose this option to have RockWorks assign the name automatically. It will use the name of the current program plus a numeric suffix, plus the ".KMZ" file name extension.
- Manual: Click this option to type in your own file name. The extension is ".KMZ".
- Display output within Google Earth: Check this box if you want to display the output at this time in Google Earth.
! Note that the actual program which will be used to display the KMZ file is determined by your Windows settings.
- Use Custom View: If unchecked, the starting viewpoint for the map will be determined automatically. If checked you can set a custom view.
- Longitude, Latitude: Type in the longitude and latitude coordinates where the viewpoint will be.
- Heading: Type in the 0 to 360 degree bearing from the viewpoint to the map.
- Tilt: Type in the angle downward from the viewpoint to the map.
- Range: Enter the distance in meters from the viewpoint to the map.
- Access the RockWorks Datasheet program tab.
- Create a new datasheet and enter or import your list of polyline XYZ files and other information into the datasheet.
Or, open one of the sample files and replace that data with your own.
! Click the Example button to the left to load a sample file that is installed with the program.
Here is an example of how a data file might look.
You can use the Columns | Column Properties menu option to establish the file-name column (such as "Polyline XYZ File" shown above) as containing linked data, specifically another .rwDat file. Doing so allows you to double-click in one of the cells to display the contents of the linked file.
Note that the Longitude and latitude coordinates in the linked files must be in decimal format. If you're using another coordinate system, be sure you've specified the Units and the Projection Settings as appropriate.
- Select the RockWorks | Utilities | Earth | Polylines - Multiple menu option.
- Enter the menu options as described above.
- Click the Process button to continue.
The program will create a KML file with the various polylines plotted at the defined locations, in the color, thickness, and elevation mode you specified. It will create a KMZ (zip) file containing the KML file. The Google Earth KML and KMZ file names will be assigned as you specified.
The resulting map will be displayed in Google Earth, if requested.
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