KML Layers

KML Layers specify a set of features (such as placemarks, images, polygons, 3D models, textual descriptions, etc.) which display in Earth browsers, such as Google Earth and Google Maps.

Adding an Organisational KML Layer

If you have a KML source that you want to add to your map on our new Spidertracks website, follow the next steps;

1. Select Admin.

2. Select the organisation.

3. Click Map Overlays.

4. Click Add KML Layer.

5.  Add the Name of the KML.

6. Choose whether the KML is available to the whole organisation by clicking KML is public.

7. Enter the URL of the KML or

8. Upload your KML or KMZ file

9. Click Save.

Note: If you need to change the publicity of the KML, you will need to remove it and re add it, making sure to remove the tick from the KML in Public box.

Adding a Personal KML Layer

A Personal KML layer will only appear on your own Flying Page, it will not display in any other User accounts.

1. Click Personal Settings.

2. Click My Settings.

3. Click Map Layers.

4. Click Add new map layer.

5. Add the Map Name of the KML.

6. Enter the URL of the KML or

7. Upload your KML or KMZ file.

8. Click Save.

 

Activating KMLs 

1. To activate your KMLs go to the Flying Page

2. Select 'Map Layers' 

3. Select KMLs

 

Dynamic KMLs

Google Maps automatically supports dynamic KMLs as part of its normal functionality. The KML file itself should specify the expiration time for a linked KML file.

What does this mean? To have an auto-refreshing KML feed, you would have a main KML file that specifies a list of linked KML files to be displayed. This is all this file does, and it is in this file (which must be uploaded through the URL section on Spidertracks website) that specifies how and when a file should be refreshed.

For more information please see the Google Developers KML Guide.

 

Creating a KML File

Please note we do not support KML issues that do not directly relate to our system, this is a basic guide from Google on how to get started:

Google KML Tutorial

If you require support with this please consult Google Earth Support.

 

FAQs

Q. When you use the option to upload a KML layer, where are these files stored? Is it on a secure Spidertracks server or an unsecured public domain?

A. If you upload the actual file on our new website, instead of using the URL 'upload', the file will be hosted on our server. This means the data will be as secure as the track data of each Spider and is not publicly hosted. If you upload it as an administrator within the organisation settings page then it will be visible to all the members of the organisation. If you upload it within your account then it will only be visible to you.

Q. Do you know if there is a way to change how we display the location marks? In the original KML it's just a number within the square, however, if we upload it to the flying page, the number changes to a blue teardrop.

A. Sadly, we (Spidertracks) do not control any of that, unfortunately. Google will display some KML files differently on their Google Maps. The API that we use, the normal Google Maps, and Google Earth can be displayed differently. Unfortunately, we have no control over this.

Q. Is there a limit to how many KMLs you can have displayed?

There is a limit on the number of KML Layers that can be displayed on a single Google Map. If you exceed this limit, none of your layers will appear on the map, and an error will be reported in your web browser’s JavaScript console.

The limit is based on a combination of the number of KML Layer classes created and the total length of all the URLs used to create those layers.

Each new KML Layer you create will take up a portion of the limit for the layer and a further portion of the limit depending on the length of the URL where the KML file was loaded from.

Consequently, the number of layers you can add will vary by application; on average, you should be able to load between 10 and 20 layers without hitting the limit. If you still hit the limit, use a URL shortener (such as https://goo.gl) to shorten the KML URLs. Alternatively, create a single KML file consisting of NetworkLinks to the individual KML URLs.

f you have any further questions please contact us at [e-mail]