topic Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis in Mapping Questions

How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SaadiaTabassum — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:45:20 GMT

I have a map in arcGIS, and i want some kml data to be shown over that map. But if i convert kml to layer, the data is not visible on that map. Both the layers can be seen separately by "zoom to layer" option but not simultaneously. Even if the map itself is converted from KML file, the other data when i convert goes to somewhere else and does not show over that map (Though that was over the map in Google earth) Please help

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

JayantaPoddar — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 05:34:10 GMT

Hi Saadia,

Could you verify the extent of your map and the layer that has been converted from the KML/KMZ file. I could be an issue of wrong extent/projection defined.

Snapshots of the extent and projection system would be helpful.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SepheFox — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 05:36:25 GMT

It sounds like you have incorrectly defined the projection for the KML file. Do you mind moving this question to Mapping? You will have better luck their, as this space is for question about the GeoNet forum. Thanks!

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SaadiaTabassum — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 07:20:35 GMT

The map and the layer both have the different extent, as you can see from the snapshots. But when i try to make the extent same, it doesn't work. Is there any other way to make them same?

As far as the projection is concerned, i am not sure about it that how to confirm it. I check the coordinate system from data frame properties and its GCS_WCS_1984.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SaadiaTabassum — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 07:24:47 GMT

In this image i covert, also the city layer form google earth and the bus stop layer is also from google earth. But when i convert them into layer they are visible in different extents. Though the stops are over the map in google earth view.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SaadiaTabassum — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 07:26:11 GMT

I myself did not define any projection system, i just converted these from KML, which was from google earth.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 08:04:27 GMT

Google Earth uses a Projected Coordinate system called WGS 1984 Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere) according to a variety of likes on the web ie

projection - How to project Google Earth KML files in ArcGIS so that they display properly? - Geographic Information Sys…

so give that a try

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SepheFox — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 14:32:16 GMT

I'm really confused from your screenshots. While I see all the layers in the table of contents in one data frame, your screenshots are three different data frame properties screenshots, rather than two different layer properties, and one data frame properties. Somehow, you seem to have your layers in different data frames, one of which is in GCS projection, and the other is not.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

JayantaPoddar — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 16:00:34 GMT

Hi Saadia,

The "City" layer is projected wrongly, seems to be a projected coordinate system.. Export the layers to shapefile using the spatial reference of the data source. Then, In ArcCatalog, right-click the properties of the shapefile. Edit the spatial reference. And define the correct spatial reference (Projected) for your area. You can start with WGS 1984 Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere), as suggested by Dan.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SaadiaTabassum — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 01:26:34 GMT

Thank you for the response, and the link you shared. I have tried this transformation but it didn't work for me. Whenever i change the coordinate system, the 'city' layer got disappeared.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SaadiaTabassum — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 01:46:57 GMT

Thats so. But i don't know how to fix them to the same system.

As far as the screenshots are concerned: i am working with two layers one is city other is bus stop, both the layers are converted from tools/conversion/from kml to layer . The first 2 screenshots show the different extent for both the layers and the last one shows the coordinate system of the data frame from which both the layers do belong.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SaadiaTabassum — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 01:54:19 GMT

I didn't get your answer that how to export using spatial reference....

I tried to change the coordinate system to as WGS 1984 Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere), but the city layer disappears when i do so. I am so fed up at this point

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 02:10:47 GMT

I gave some advice in this thread on how to try and resolve mis-identified coordinate systems

Re: Define Projection Failure

basically, in order to resolve the differences, you need to examine the extents and values of the different layers in

separate data frames and by examining their extents. Once you have established the coordinate system of one, they it is a matter of finding out what the other is. You cant do this with other data in the data frame since the first layer decides what the data fram coordinate system is...unless you change it. So get one correct then figure out what is needed to get the other do. If the data were obtained from a source like google earth or google maps...find out what coordinate system they use since there is a strong possibility that your data have the same one...you will note I said probability and not guarantee. If you have other data that you are certain about, then you can sneak one of the files into a dataframe containing it...it should line up. When you get everything in its place...get in the habit of using the same coordinate system for all work. good luck

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SepheFox — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 03:11:33 GMT

Yes, except on your screenshots, all three windows clearly say data frame properties in the title bar, so something else is going on here.

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

SaadiaTabassum — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 04:26:02 GMT

Dan-san Thank you so much for your help. I prepared the separate data frames and found that both the layers have same coordinate systems (as obtained from the same source) , figure1 and 3. But both the layers have different extents, figure2&4. I tried to make the extent same by data frame/properties/ extent/specify extent... but it didn't work. By changing the extent, the layer extent remains the same , it doesn't change.

I have read somewhere that layer extent can not be changed in any way. However i am not sure about it. Anyways i am in view of changing the data source now. Thank you for your kind help

Re: How to convert KML file to layer , on an alrady existing map in arcgis

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 06:33:24 GMT

As I suspected ... your 'numbers' second and fourth image reveal all. Don't look at the 'words' in figures 1 and 3.... In Figure 2, your extent value number indicate that your coordinates are projected. They are NOT in decimal degrees...they are projected. The last one is in decimal degrees. So your 2nd data set seems to be in decimal degrees, most likely GCS_WGS_1984 Your first data set has been defined as such...probably the Define Projection tool was used in error...and it isn't. Fix it...do they look like UTM values for your area? I don't have any reference in your part of the world. In any event, the first file...figures 1 and 2... has been defined incorrectly... they are called Placemarks...Google Earth? Google Maps? Google Google and find out what their coordinate systems are

see projection - EPSG 3857 or 4326 for GoogleMaps, OpenStreetMap and Leaflet - Geographic Information Systems Stack Exchange for instance.

There are a few things that you are mixing up.

Google Earth is in a Geographic coordinate system with the wgs84 datum. (EPSG: 4326)
Google Maps is in a projected coordinate system that is based on the wgs84 datum. (EPSG 3857)
The data in Open Street Map database is stored in a gcs with units decimal degrees & datum of

good luck