Option to save as KML

Question

We use ArcGIS Earth to design lines and polygons over a basemap and then export the files for use in a third party app.  We were recently using Google Earth but switched to ArcGIS Earth for a number of reasons - most importantly because we would use basemap imagery from our ArcGIS Online account.  However there is one big difference between ArcGIS Earth and Google Earth in that ArcGIS Earth only allows exporting of the feature to compressed KMZ files.  How can we export to uncompressed KML files as allowed in Google Earth?

Sharon_MU · Answer

Hi @Sniffer @ThomasHoman @JayantaPoddar @LisaT Great discussion!  I just came across this issue and hope my comment is still helpful.

Saving as `.kml` file has been supported since ArcGIS Earth V1.18, click here for details.

BTW, ArcGIS Earth V2.4 is coming soon.  Stay tuned for fresh new features and updates!

LisaT · Answer

I am having problems with these solutions.  I have a KMZ that I need to open in ArcGIS Online.  AGOL will only open KML. If I change the KMZ to ZIP and then import the KML, I get a message that there is "an issue". When doing a search on that, it is because the KML needs to be converted to UTF-8.  This is just steps upon steps upon steps.  Is there not an easier way to open a KMZ in AGOL??  I hesitate to tell my users to complete all of these steps.  It will be very simple to them...they won't use AGOL.

JayantaPoddar · Answer

KMZ is a more preferred version. According to https://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/md_help/html/kml_overview.htm

A KMZ file combines the images with the KML into a single zipped file. KMZ files are better because the lossless compression decreases file sizes, although only slightly, and because they make it impossible to separate and lose required image files. Even if someone tells you they want a KML file, you should send a KMZ.  This saves you from separating the images from the KML file, and saves you the blame when the recipient separates them.

For now, using a zip-utility (or Google Earth Pro) is our option to decompress the KMZ to KML.