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Import from Google Earth

Converts the feature data contained in a KML or KMZ file to feature classes. 

Inputs: 

• A Google Earth KML or KMZ file
• Output workspace

Notes:

• The KML format allows a lot of freedom in the data structure and not all applications that create KML files structure the data in the best way. This in many cases makes impossible to import correctly the data without loading the entire KML data structure in the memory. In order to handle this problem, the ET GeoWizards import from Google Earth function uses two algorithms: 
  • For KML files exported from ET GeoWizards - a sequential algorithm that reads the KML file and simultaneously writes the output feature classes.
  • For KML files not exported  from ET GeoWizards - the entire KML structure is loaded into memory, analyzed and then the function starts to write the outputs.

  In order to distinguish which KML files are exported with the software, the export function adds to the Map description  "Exported with ET GeoWizards". 

• Importing of KML files is slow in general, be patient.
• The KML structure does have a definition of the Field Types, but not for the fields width, precision and scale. General rules are used to create the fields. You can use the Redefine fields to fix some problems in the field definitions
• See Google Earth general for important additional information.

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