RockWorks | Utilities | Earth | Polyline - Single
This program:
- Reads a listing of data from the datasheet: XY points and (optionally) Z elevations
- Creates a KML output file with connected line segments drawn along these vertices using a fixed color. The polyline 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 - Multiple
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.
- X (Easting): Select the column that contains the X coordinates for the polyline vertices.
These can be Eastings in meters or feet, decimal longitudes, etc. See Defining your Datasheet Coordinates for more information.
- Y (Northing): Column that contains the Y coordinates for the polyline vertices.
- Line Style
- Color: Defines the color for the polyline. To change the color, click on the color sample and choose a new color from the drop-down list.
- Thickness (pixels): Defines the thickness for the polyline. Click on the displayed value to type in a preferred pixel thickness.
- Altitude: These settings determine the vertical placement of the polyline.
- Clamped 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.
- User-Specified:
- Elevations
- Fixed: Choose this if all of the polyline vertices are to be plotted at the same elevation. Type in the desired elevation in meters.
- Variable (Defined by Data Column): Choose this option if the elevations are listed in a column in the datasheet.
- Data Column: Select the column in the current datasheet which contains the elevations for the polyline vertices.
- Elevation Mode:
- Relative to Ground: Choose this if the fixed or variable elevations (above) represent distances above the ground. Note that short line segments will mirror the topography but long ones will not.
- Absolute: Choose this if the fixed or variable elevations (above) represent absolute elevations, regardless of the elevation of the ground surface at that location.
- 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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- 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 location coordinates 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. Note that only the X and Y columns are required.
Longitude and latitude coordinates 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 | Polyline - Single menu option.
- Enter the menu options as described above.
- Click the Process button to continue.
The program will create a KML file with line segments between the coordinate pairs, 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.
Back to Earth Menu Summary
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