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Layer To KML

Summary

This tool converts a feature or raster layer into a KML file containing a translation of Esri geometries and symbology. This file is compressed using ZIP compression, has a .kmz extension, and can be read by any KML client including ArcGIS Explorer, ArcGlobe, and Google Earth.

Learn more about KML support in ArcGIS

Usage

  • You can control the appearance of KML in two ways.

    • If layer properties such as the HTML PopUp setting, display expression, and the alias for KMLSnippet are used, they will be used in the creation of the KML.
    • When the layer properties are not set and the feature class contains certain attributes (fields), the field properties will be used in creating the KML. Layers that were originally created using the KML To Layer tool have attributes that define how KML will be created.

    Learn more about creating KML in ArcGIS for Desktop

  • You can reduce the size of the output KMZ document if your layer has scale-dependent display properties and you choose an appropriate map output scale.

  • All KML/KMZ files are created in the WGS84 coordinate system. You need to be sure your layers will properly project if they aren't already in WGS84. You can use the Project tool to reproject your data prior to KML conversion if your projection requires a transformation.

  • To output a single raster image draped over topography, use the Return single composite image option.

Syntax

LayerToKML_conversion (layer, out_kmz_file, {layer_output_scale}, {is_composite}, {boundary_box_extent}, {image_size}, {dpi_of_client}, {ignore_zvalue})
ParameterExplanationData Type
layer

The feature or raster layer or layer file (.lyr) to be converted to KML.

Layer
out_kmz_file

The KML file to write. This file is compressed and has a .kmz extension. It can be read by any KML client including ArcGIS Explorer, ArcGlobe, and Google Earth.

File
layer_output_scale
(Optional)

The scale at which to export the layer. This parameter is used with any scale dependency, such as layer visibility or scale-dependent rendering. If the layer is not visible at the export scale, it will not be included in the created KML file. Any value, such as 0, can be used if there are no scale dependencies.

If exporting a layer that is to be displayed as 3D vectors and the is_composite parameter is set to NO_COMPOSITE you can set this parameter to any value, as long as your features do not have any scale-dependent rendering.

Only numeric characters should be entered; for example, enter 20000 as the scale, not 1:20000 or 20,000.

Double
is_composite
(Optional)
  • COMPOSITE —The output KML file will be a single composite image representing the raster or vector features in the source layer. The raster is draped over the terrain as a KML GroundOverlay. Select this option to reduce the size of the output KMZ file. When you check this box, individual features and layers in the KML are not selectable.
  • NO_COMPOSITE —If your layer has vector features, they are preserved as KML vectors. (If your layer is a raster, you can choose either option for this parameter without any visual difference.)
Boolean
boundary_box_extent
(Optional)

The geographic extent of the area to be exported. The extent rectangle bounds should be specified as a space-delimited string of WGS84 geographic coordinates in the form left lower right upper (xmin, ymin, xmax, ymax).

Extent
image_size
(Optional)

Defines the vertical and horizontal resolution of any rasters in the output KML document. Use this parameter with the DPI parameter to control output image resolution.

Long
dpi_of_client
(Optional)

Defines the device resolution for any rasters in the output KML document. Use this parameter with the Image Size parameter to control output image resolution.

Long
ignore_zvalue
(Optional)
  • ABSOLUTE —Use the Z-values of features when creating KML. The features will be drawn inside KML clients relative to sea level.
  • CLAMPED_TO_GROUND —Override Z-values in your features and create KML with the features clamped to the ground. The features will be draped over the terrain. This setting is used for features that do not have Z-values. This is the default.
Boolean

Code sample

LayerToKML example 1 (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the LayerToKMLfunction in immediate mode.

import arcpy

arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.LayerToKML_conversion("bldg.lyr", "bldg.kmz")
LayerToKML example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following Python script demonstrates how to use the LayerToKMLfunction in a stand-alone script. 

# Name: LayerToKML Example
# Description: The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to find 
#              all layer files in a given workspace and export each to 
#              a KML at the 1:10,000, 1:20,000, and 1:30,000 scale using
#              the LayerToKML tool.

import arcpy

# Set environment settings
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data"

# Use the ListFiles method to identify all layer files in workspace
if len(arcpy.ListFiles("*.lyr")) > 0:
    for layer in arcpy.ListFiles("*.lyr"):
        # Set Local Variables
        composite = 'NO_COMPOSITE'
        pixels = 2048
        dpi = 96
        clamped = 'CLAMPED_TO_GROUND'
        
        for scale in range(10000, 30001, 10000):
            # Strips the '.lyr' and adds scale + _.kmz
            outKML = layer[:4] + str(scale) + "_.kmz"
            #Execute LayerToKML
            arcpy.LayerToKML_conversion(layer, outKML, scale, composite, 
                                        '', pixels, dpi, clamped)
else:
    arcpy.AddMessage('There are no layer files in '+arcpy.env.workspace+'.')

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Yes
  • ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Yes
  • ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Yes

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