KMZ is a compressed format and not human-readable. But KML is an XML variant, and as such, is a plain 'ole text file. Is it possible that the utilities you were trying out want KML and not KMZ? You can export features to KML in Google Earth.
Quick tangent: the KMZ format has advantages besides the compression. Foe example, you can include JPEGs a KMZ file's payload. But back to KML. I know of no (existing) KML to Maptitude converter, though a most basic one wouldn't be ridiculously difficult to write. I'd estimate a couple/three days for someone of my programming level, and considerably less for a Larry or Armando. I actually started working on one a while back but had to abandon it due to lack of time. --- In [email protected], "wildsolutions2000" <mike@...> wrote: > > I am running Maptitude for Redistricting v6, which has the same core GIS > engine that most user group members use, and I have been trying to work with > taking information that is deployed via Google Earth or Google maps and using > that layer to evaluate proposed district plans. > > One piece of background, the state of IL (controlled by Democrats, fyi) have > passed a plan but they have not made their proposal public in a form that can > be imported easily into redistricting software for further analysis. > > Right now, it appears that it only exists on Google Earth platform: > http://www.ilsenateredistricting.com/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&download=12:sb1178-congressional&id=1:maps&Itemid= > and i have tried several 3rd party utilities to convert to a shapefile and > then import into Maptitude, without success. > > I looked to see if it was possible to post the kmz file in the attachments > section of the user group section, without success, but can make it available > to anyone interested via email. > > I have tried a DNR Garmin utility that Caliper tech support suggested, but > that was limited to 32,000 points (give or take) and the data table filled up > and produced an error. I have also tried a couple of ARCmap toolbox plug ins > that Convert KML to Shp, but the documentation on installation of those tools > is not sufficient for me to successfully generate a polygon file that > resembles the one on Google Earth. > > Typically, the redistricting process in America is one in which the > proponents include a block equivalency file, which would be universal in its > linkage to 2010 Census geography, or a more common shape file, but none of > that has seen the light of day in Illinois. A very good partisan gerrymander > by the democrats -- made all the more easy to ramrod without full > transparency so the public can precisely replicate the plan. > > I would like to generate an accurate shape file, which will get me closer to > overlaying on the census geography to create a block equivalency file. Any > thoughts/suggestions would be welcome. > > thanks, > > mike@... > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Maptitude/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Maptitude/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
