> KMZ is a compressed format and not human-readable Actually, if you change the file extension to .zip, and open the file in windows you will find a DOC.KML file, whcih is actually a text file.
On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 3:44 PM, dr_haspel <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > 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@... > > > > > -- Armando Scalise
