Learn about Earth projects & local KML files

You can create customized maps and stories about places around the world with text, photos, and videos. You can also share your maps and stories with others to collaborate.

Tips:

• Projects must be created on a computer.
• You can use any fully-supported browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
• Before you start your project, gather any photos or online videos you want to include in your project about places you visited.

1. On your computer, open Google Earth.
2. On the left, click File New Drive Project 
3. To add a title and description, click Edit .

Tip: To make sharing easier, your changes are automatically saved in Google Drive when you create a project.

1. On your computer, open Google Earth.
2. On the left panel, select the Project you want to copy.
3. Click More actions  Make a copy.

1. Go to earth.google.com.
2. In the search box, enter the location you want to map.
3. Click + New.
   1. Alternatively, at the top, you can click File  New local KML file (Ctrl + K).
   2. If you click + New, you’ll find a box.
      1. Select Local KML file.
      2. Click Create.
4. Rename the new KML file you want to create.
   1. Click More   Rename.
   2. Enter the file name.
   3. Click Enter.

Tip: Make sure you’re in the 2D view. If you’re in the 3D view, the Google Maps Content Partners team can’t process your data.

5. Create your data.
   1. Click Add path or polygon.
   2. In the upper right corner, you’ll find a note that you’re in "edit mode."
      1. From the left, click the points to create your path segment.
      2. When you’re done, in the upper right, click Done.

Optional: Alternatively, if you want to create a polygon, make sure that your last point forms a loop and you’ll find a “close shape.”

6. Click Save to project.
   • After you click "Save to project," you’ll find an edit card where you can change the name or description of the feature. This is optional but highly recommend you add-in the name and any relevant or useful info.

Tips:

• If you want to edit the name or description, in the upper right, click on the feature Edit.
• Once your feature is created, it’s added under the project on the left hand panel.
• You can search the Google Earth map like you do in Google Maps. For example, you can search by:
  • Lat Long (example: 47.666, -122.351)
  • City (example: Seattle)
  • Address (example: Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103)
  • Point of interest (example: Space Needle)

Tip: A KML file is saved in your computer's browser storage.