Google Earth Pro is a slightly more advanced version than the free edition of the popular satellite imagery application (okay, it does way more, but many people just use that feature). One major additional feature it includes is the ability to import GIS shapefiles and display their features on top of the imagery, including terrain. It’s useful to have your data as KML (Keyhole Markup Language) because KML (or KMZ) is easier to share and Google Earth standard edition is free. But then again, it’s useful to have your KML files as shapefiles because proper GIS software is more powerful at analyzing data. Also, someone might ask you for your data in shapefile format (but they could easily follow these instructions).
Good data management requires options. Options mean your data won’t be locked into a proprietary format. Data want to be free! Read on for ways to convert your KML and shapefile data:
Converting KML files to shapefiles
Like Google Earth Pro, KMZ2SHP offers a free kmz to shp online converter that can convert KML or KMZ to shapefile, and best of all – it doesn’t cost $400 per year (it’s free!). This is an online application meaning it will run on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Use QGIS to convert a KML or KMZ file to shapefile:
- Click on Layer > Add Vector Layer
- Find your KML or KMZ file.
- Right-click your new layer and click “Save as shapefile.”
Zonums provides online conversion tools. Or, use ArcGIS and this plugin to convert KML files to shapefiles.
Converting shapefiles to KML files
The freeware Shp2kml 2.o (Windows only) from Zonums will convert shapefiles to KML files. Want some free, interesting data to try it out?
