KML to Layer Issue- Is what I'm doing supported?

[jdruding]

I'm evaluating ArcGIS for personal use and so Esri won't answer my question as to whether this is supported or not and directed me here.   I would like to be able to import KML/KMZ with embedded photos.  These KMZ files have tracks and points with photos attached to them and are created in an app called GaiaGPS.  I know that the KMZ file is valid because it works as expected if you import it to Google Earth.  (the tracks are imported and the points have the photos attached properly)

I'm using the KML to Layer conversion tool and checking the box to "Include Ground Overlay". The import imports the points and polylines, but when I click on a point with a photo, the pop up shows the image link is broken.  Looking at the values in the pop up field, I can see that it references the photo with format of:

"<img src="ae297b388e83811290459c4cfb6f6c8d.jpg">"

When looking at the size of the geodatabase, it is clear that the photos are not present after import. (i.e. the geodatabase is very tiny and the original KMZ is 50 MB.)  I would have thought that KML to Layer function would either copy the photos to a location relative to the root of the reference above (the geodatabase folder itself?) or automatically configure the image element in the Pop Up.  

Is this functionality supported?

[Robert_LeClair]

Good morning - you are correct that the ArcGIS for Personal Use program does not have access to Esri Support Services but the Esri Community forum is a great resource that is monitored by Esri staff so we can assist here.  With regard to your question, are you able to share the *.kmz so I can test some workflows on my side?

[jdruding]

Thanks Robert!  The file is too large to attach the entire thing and, besides, it is little too sensitive for me to post publicly.  (you could pretty easily find my home, for instance)  So, I extracted a single track that has points and photos.  NOTE: KMZ files are blocked from upload so I changed the file extension to .ZIP

[Robert_LeClair]

Thx!  I've downloaded the file and am working with it now in ArcGIS Pro 2.9.1.  Natively the *.kmz works just fine in ArcGIS Pro with no data conversion required.  I can click on "My Photo - 1/23/22, time" and see the photos just fine.  See attached.  I'll try converting it to a geodatabase feature class and report my findings.

[jdruding]

That's great, so it obviously can be done.  Im using 2.9.1 also and my import looks just like yours EXCEPT, in the pop up your are showing, I see a broken link icon instead of the picture.  Attached is a pic. 

[Robert_LeClair]

Right - so I did not run the KML to Layer GP tool at all and just added the *.kmz right to a new Map View.  If I run the KML to Layer GP tool, then I see the same thing that you do.  Click the Add Data button in the Layer group on the Map core tab and add the *.kmz right to your map.  Does it mimic my screen grab earlier?

[jdruding]

You rock, Robert!  That worked!  Thanks!

[jdruding]

Hi @Robert_LeClair , I'm back again.  🙂   So this solution solved my first problem of showing the photos, but as soon as started playing around with it, I realized it didn't really solve my original task of importing the KML/KMZ data into the ArcGIS geodatabase.  This method created a KML Layer, which is obviously limited in its capabilities.  Is there a way to now save this data into a new ArcGIS layer? Or back to the original question, is there a way to make it work with KML to Layer? 

[Robert_LeClair · Accepted solution]

To my knowledge, no.  There is an Enhancement Request (NIM086198) - "Images in pop-ups from KML are not maintained with the KML to Layer geoprocessing tool."  Wish I had better information for you.

[Brian_Parker4]

To add a layer of complication to this: I need to upload a KMZ to ArcGIS online for use in fieldmaps and the online viewer. While in Pro I can see and use the KMZ, it is larger than 10 MB so I can not upload to Online without converting to a feature layer to my knowledge. This presents a problem, because when I convert it, it loses attachments, so this becomes a problem.