Google Earth Quick Guide
Google Earth is a desktop 3D virtual globe application that can be used to locate places and addresses. In addition, this
application can be used to create customized maps showing locations, routes and areas that you define. To download
and install Google Earth, visit http://earth.google.com.
Basic Use
When you start Google Earth, the 3D globe shows in the middle of the screen. From here, you can turn, pan and zoom
the globe to view a desired location. You can also search for a location, view the globe in different ways and print the
map image.
Use these last
three options to
email your map,
print your map or
view this map
using Google
Maps.
Use this box to
type in an address,
landmark, city
name… When you
click the magnifying glass, Google
Earth zooms to that
location.
The Google Earth
navigation controls offer the
same type of
navigation action
that you can
achieve using
your mouse. You
can use the controls to zoom and
swoop (perhaps
for a new perspective on the
terrain) or to rotate your view.
You can change
the tab and search
for businesses or
directions.
Create a Google Earth “Tour” with Custom Placemarks (end result—KMZ file with your placemarks)
Creating a Google Earth tour is an easy way to keep track of locations, and/or other geographic features represented by
lines and areas, that matter to you. Google Earth is perfect for noting key services in an area or for documenting a travel
trip.
Make a Folder:
1. Under Places, click once on My Places.
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2. From the Add menu, choose Folder.
3. Type a name for your new folder (in this example, University of Redlands is used).
4. Click OK.
Add Placemarks to the Folder:
5. Zoom/pan the map to the desired view.
6. Click once on the Placemark
Google Earth Quick Guide
icon (on the toolbar menu at the top of the screen).
7. Drag the placemark icon to the desired location.
8. Complete the placemark by typing in a name and a description (and possible an image).
Images that are on the Web can also be added to a placemark. You need the Web address for the image itself (rightclick on a image and choose Open Link in a New Window and then copy that Web address). In the placemark, you need
to add some html code around the image address.
HTML code:
<IMG SRC="image_web_address">
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HTML code with an image Web address added:
<IMG SRC="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/3270049-University_of_Redlands-Redlands.jpg">
9. Click OK.
10. Click once on your placemark to zoom to that location and view the contents of the
placemark.
11. Repeat steps 5-11 to add additional placemarks to the folder you created in step 2.
Note: To modify a placemark, right-click on the placemark name and choose Properties (you can also click once on the
name and choose Properties from the Edit menu).
You can change the default yellow push pin icon by going to Properties and then clicking on the pushpin icon. Additional
icons to choose from will appear. Click once on an icon to select it and click OK.
Polygons and paths (lines) can be added in a similar way using the respective tools:
Create a KMZ using the Placemarks in Your Folder
12. Once you have all of your placemarks set, it is time to save the contents of your folder as a KMZ file. A KMZ file packages
together all of your placemarks into one portable file that can be shared with others.
13. Right-click on the name of your folder.
14. Choose Save place as.
15. Browse to the desired save location on your computer and click Save.
Working With Your KMZ File
The ease in creation of KMZ files, and their portability, makes Google Earth a great tool to use in the classroom. Any KMZ file that
you create can be opened again using Google Earth simply by double clicking the KMZ file. You can also email the KMZ file to
anyone else and as long as they have Google Earth installed, they will be able to open the file.
Google Earth Quick Guide
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