Questions or Comments?

• Introduction

• Getting to Know Shape2Earth

  • KML Tab
  • Properties Tab
  • GIS Data
  • Query Tab
  • Options Tab
  • Balloon Tab

• Converting Shapefiles to KML

  • Converting Point Data
  • Converting Line Data
  • Converting Polygon Data

• Create Google Earth Overlays

• Capture Georectified Google Earth Images

• Add a Screen Overlay

Introduction

This User Guide describes Shape2Earth Version 1.49 and higher for MapWindow GIS Version 4.7.

Welcome to Shape2Earth for MapWindow GIS!  Shape2Earth is the easiest and cheapest way to convert GIS data into Keyhole Markup Language (KML) for viewing in Google Earth!

What Can I Do With Shape2Earth?

Shape2Earth for MapWindow GIS provides the following functionality:

1. Convert Shapefiles to KML - Organize and prepare your shapefile for presentation in MapWindow GIS, and then export the data into Keyhole Markup Language (KML) for distributing and viewing in Google Earth and Google Maps.
2. Apply Thematic Symbology to Your Data - Use  MapWindow GIS to thematically map your data using a 'Single Symbol', 'Unique Values', 'Equal Breaks', or a 'Continuous Ramp'. 
3. Create Quick Google Earth Overlays - Convert your carographic map in MapWindow GIS into a image overlay for viewing in Google Earth. 
4. Georeferenced Image Capture - Capture an image from Google Earth to view in MapWindow or another GIS.
   

Installing Shape2Earth

Shape2Earth for MapWindow uses the following free software.

1. Download and install Google Earth
2. Download and install MapWindow GIS (must be the 32 bit version of MapWindow)
3. Download and install Shape2Earth for MapWindow GIS (if using 64 bit windows, change the install directory to C:\Program Files (x86)\MapWindow\Plugins)
4. Open MapWindow GIS, and activate the Shape2Earth menu by selecting Shape2Earth in the MapWindow Plug-ins menu

Additional Support

MapWindow GIS is an extremely flexible, easy to us, free and open source, desktop GIS system.

• MapWindow Home Page: Learn more about using MapWindow to solve geospatial proplems.
• Forum: View the MapWindow Users Forum.
• Downloads: Look through and download additional MapWindow Pugins to extend the MapWindow framework.

Shape2Earth resources.

• Shape2Earth home page: The official Shape2Earth site.
• Shape2Earth Google Group: Find answers and ask questions about Shape2Earth.

Google Earth resources include:

• Tutorials: These provide hands-on lessons using Google Earth.
• FAQs: View a list of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Google Earth.
• Google Earth Help Center: Use the Help Center at any time to find additional information.
• Google Earth Help Groups: Join Google Earth users as they share questions and information with one another.
• Google Earth Community: Learn from other Google Earth users by asking questions and sharing answers on the Google Earth Community forums.
• Lat Lon Blog: This blog describes how you can use some of the interesting features of Google Earth.

©2011 Shape2Earth - About Shape2Earth