Sometimes when working with our Windows computer we can come across files that we don’t know and that we don’t know how to open and use. Some of these files are those that contain the KMZ extension, which are currently little known and used but can be really useful, since they are responsible for containing geographic data.
That is why today we are going to talk about KMZ files, to know what exactly they are and what they are used for. We will also see how to create one using the Google Earth Pro application, as well as different programs with which to view and edit them.
What is a KMZ file and what is it used for
KMZ (Keyhole Markup language Zipped) is a Zip-compressed version of a KML (Keyhole Markup Language) file, which is responsible for storing map locations that can be viewed in various geographic information system (GIS) applications, on all Google Earth. Keyhole, was the founding company of the Earth Viewer software on which Google Earth was built.
A KMZ file may contain placemarks , which may include within them a custom name, the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of the location, the COLLADA 3D model data, as well as overlays and images referenced by the KML file. . These files have been specially designed to be able to reduce the space occupied by KML files , so that they are easier to distribute and share with multiple users.
Common uses of a KMZ file include the ability to share placemarks or tracks with users via email or post to a web page. They primarily open with Google Earth or can be unzipped with compression software such as WinZip on Windows. When a KMZ file is uncompressed, the main .kml file and its supporting files are separated into their original formats and directory structure, with their original file names and extensions.
Create a polygon and save as KMZ file
Google Earth Pro is a tool designed for users who require advanced features, such as the ability to import or export GIS data or use historical images for retrospectives. It is freely available for Windows, macOS, and Linux and can be downloaded from its official website .
Among its functions, it has the ability to view demographic, cadastral and traffic data. It allows you to take full advantage of the GIS data import functions, measure areas, radii and circumferences on the ground, print high-resolution screenshots and make attractive movies to share without the need for an Internet connection.
Once the application is downloaded and installed, we run it. Using our or the search bar at the top left of the screen, we must locate our area of interest on Earth. Next, we must create a polygon , for which we click on the third icon starting from the left at the top.
This will cause a popup to open where we will give our polygon a name. Now we may need to drag the popup to the side so we can see the entire area of interest on the map. With the popup open, we click on a point in the area of interest which will mark a red dot. Next, we click again on another boundary of our interest within the area, and so on until the polygon completely covers the area.
Once finished, we click OK inside the pop-up window. This will make our polygon appear in the “Sites” menu in the left sidebar. Now we can save our polygon as a KMZ file. To do this, click on the File tab, then on “Save” and “Save site as”. This will open a new window where we will locate the file, which we can check contains the .kmz extension.
Programs to open it in Windows
If at any time we have a KMZ file, either because it has been sent to us to show us a geographical location, or we have downloaded it from the Internet, we can open and view it with the help of the following programs.
KML, KMZ Viewer with Drive
It is an extension for Google Chrome with which we can view KML and KMZ files on a map. This tool allows us to open the files both from a URL from Google Drive or from the location where it is saved on our hard drive. It is a plugin that we can download for free from the Chrome Web Store.
Google Maps
Without a doubt, it is the most popular and well-known web-based map application, especially used to know routes and define routes, either on foot or by car, from one place to another, being able to be used as a GPS, in addition to knowing our location. current in real time. That is why it becomes a great tool with which to be able to open and view all the content of our KMZ files. Of course it is a free application that we can access by clicking directly on this link .
photoshop
We will surely know this popular Adobe tool for editing photos, although it is also capable of carrying out different tasks since it is compatible with a large number of formats, among which are KMZ and KML, so we will be able to open them without trouble. Thus, we can use it to edit, create vector graphics, 3D images or work with layers, all of this through a professional program, used especially by photographers, web designers, graphic designers, among others. If we don’t have it, we can download its latest version from its official website . Its price is 24.19 euros per month and allows us to obtain a 7-day free trial version.
Global Mappers
It is a GIS (Geographic Information System) data processing software, which includes all kinds of cartographic and map information. It is especially aimed at both professionals and beginners in the world of cartography. It has support for more than 200 formats, is capable of importing and exporting from spatial databases and accessing data stored in the cloud through its online integration. In addition, it includes support for KML and KMZ files, so we can view them without any problem. We can download a free trial version from their website.
Ecuador
We are talking about an online application, so it does not require installation, free and easy to use, capable of supporting as many KML and KMZ files, which contain vector data (points, lines and polygons). To visualize them, we only have to drag and drop the files on the map to superimpose the data on the 3D terrain. We can find thousands of spatial data files directly on Equator, such as roads, pipelines, rivers, parks, and buildings. It has a free version that includes tools for creating unlimited maps, layers, and projects.
blender
It is a professional program for creating designs and multimedia files. It has now become one of the most popular options for modeling, rendering, and creating three-dimensional graphics. In addition, it has a real-time 3D engine, with which you can create any type of three-dimensional content. It stands out for its compatibility with all kinds of formats, among which are KMZ files, so it will help us to view the locations saved in this type of file. This software is cross-platform, open source and free that we can download from the developer’s website .
ArcGIS Desktop
It is one of the benchmarks in the world of Geographic Information Systems. With it, it is possible to access countless tools related to the management of vector and raster files, geodatabases, spatial analysis, statistics, hydrological analysis and hundreds of additional applications. Among its different functionalities, there is also the possibility of creating 3D maps and environments, which means that it offers compatibility with our KMZ file, being able to visualize and modify all the elements that make it up. In order to use it we will need to buy its license from its official website.