BajaNomad - How do I open a KMZ file?

How do I open a KMZ file?

AKgringo - 9-10-2019 at 10:00 AM

Whenever I try to open a KMZ file, all I get are lines of code. Windows 10 is my operating system (recently updated) and Microsoft Edge is the default browser.

I have Google Earth pro downloaded, and even using chrome as the browser I cannot view the files.

[Edited on 9-10-2019 by AKgringo]

Bob and Susan - 9-10-2019 at 11:28 AM

convert to a jpg file online and open it with anything

https://mygeodata.cloud/converter/kmz-to-jpeg

TRAVISD - 9-10-2019 at 11:31 AM

Post the file and lets others try it?

David K - 9-10-2019 at 11:47 AM

I have Windows 10 and Google Earth Pro on my machine. When I click on a kmz link, like what Harald always posts, my Google Earth opens with the added stuff showing. I bet it is just a setting thing? I hope someone with computer smarts can advise!

AKgringo - 9-10-2019 at 12:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I bet it is just a setting thing? I hope someone with computer smarts can advise!

I do too, because it sure ain't me! I tried the link that Bob or Susan provided, and it wouldn't work for me either.

I have never been able to view any of the kmz files that Harald has posted, but now when I zoom in on Baja on Google Earth, all of the gas stations that were in one of the files show up!

Sandlefoot - 9-10-2019 at 12:14 PM

It works for me to open Google Earth and drag the KMZ file over and drop it in. It opens!!! If that does not work look at the setting and try to figure it out from there!! That is the best I have to offer!!

Good luck & Happy Trails!

mtgoat666 - 9-10-2019 at 12:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

Whenever I try to open a KMZ file, all I get are lines of code. Windows 10 is my operating system (recently updated) and Microsoft Edge is the default browser.

I have Google Earth pro downloaded, and even using chrome as the browser I cannot view the files.

[Edited on 9-10-2019 by AKgringo]

Right click on file, select “open with” google earth

RnR - 9-10-2019 at 12:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

Right click on file, select “open with” google earth

I believe that 'goat' has the solution.

Somewhere along the line, you have to tell Windows what program to use to open specific types of files. Common file types (pdf) and all Windows file types are set up by default by Microsoft. Other, less common file types have to be set up once.

kmz files

John M - 9-10-2019 at 01:24 PM

can you convert the file from kmz to kml?

The kml may open.

Certainly no expert but I cannot get a kml to attach to an outgoing email but I can get a kmz to attach, and open on the other end.

JM

JZ - 9-10-2019 at 04:26 PM

Unless the kmz file is corrupt or you have a weird setting on your computer, when you click on it, it should open directly in GE,

Weird setting on computer/browser is most likely.

[Edited on 9-10-2019 by JZ]

AKgringo - 9-10-2019 at 05:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Unless the kmz file is corrupt or you have a weird setting on your computer, when you click on it, it should open directly in GE,

Weird setting on computer/browser is most likely.

It probably is a problem with my settings. I have a small travel unit, and a larger home unit, and they are both unable to open the files.

I have also had problems trying to connect to a public WIFI at a coffee shop that has always worked for me before. I don't know if it is a security issue related to the most recent Windows 10 upgrade, but the timing is suspicious. I had to re-install Chrome on both units, but I still can't open the kmz files with it.

4x4abc - 9-10-2019 at 05:14 PM

Chrome is a browser - not designed to open kmz files

you have 2 choices (provided that you have Google Earth installed)
#1 tell your kmz file (in attributes or settings) that it and all other kmz files want to be opened with Google Earth
#2 open Google Earth, chose "Open..." in the file menu, select the kmz (or kml, or gpx) file that you want to open.

once the file is open you can change it in any way you want with cmd-I
colors, line thickness, location, icon, label, add web links etc etc

David K - 9-10-2019 at 09:21 PM

I use Chrome... No problems with your kmz files for me.

JZ - 9-10-2019 at 10:35 PM

I have Chrome installed.

But Firefox is set as my default browser.

PaulW - 9-11-2019 at 07:46 AM

Restart your PC - try again
Remove GE and reinstall it. - try again
If using Chrome remove and reinstall. - try again

TRAVISD - 9-11-2019 at 08:25 AM

All KMZ files open automatically with GE for me. GE doesnt go through Chrome.

AKgringo - 9-11-2019 at 09:21 AM

I installed Firefox, and it gave me the option to open files in google earth. That wasn't happening with Edge as the browser.

I need to play with this some more, I think I still don't have it right!

SFandH - 9-11-2019 at 09:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

Chrome is a browser - not designed to open kmz files

you have 2 choices (provided that you have Google Earth installed)
#1 tell your kmz file (in attributes or settings) that it and all other kmz files want to be opened with Google Earth
#2 open Google Earth, chose "Open..." in the file menu, select the kmz (or kml, or gpx) file that you want to open.

once the file is open you can change it in any way you want with cmd-I
colors, line thickness, location, icon, label, add web links etc etc

Sounds like the correct answer to me. Performing the file association so that GE opens kmz files is best. Then you can just double click the filename and away you go.

Also, a kmz file is a zipped (compressed) kml file. I think winzip will unzip it and produce the kml file.

[Edited on 9-11-2019 by SFandH]

PaulW - 9-11-2019 at 09:49 AM

Want a KML file?
No need to unzip.
If you have the kmz file on your desktop just change "kmz" to "kml" Then tell the PC that it is ok to do that. Then open the KML.

4x4abc - 9-11-2019 at 08:07 PM

there is no advantage to change kmz to kml
kml will take more space on your computer
if you have a lot of Baja files (like me) kmz is the more economic (space) option

if you work with different navigation file formats a lot and have to use translating programs like GPSBabel to translate, you will need kml files as input
https://www.gpsbabel.org/

to use all the built in advantages of Google Earth (like 3D and terrain tilt and time slider) you should stay away from having your browser handle navigation files

only when tilted this image of Cuesta Agua Honda comes to life - your browser can only display 2D

put this on a 30" screen and you won't need TV any longer

Agua Honda.jpg - 243kB

wanna locate Cuesta Agua Honda?

Attachment: Cuesta Agua Honda 400 m.kmz (842B)
This file has been downloaded 254 times

PaulW - 9-12-2019 at 06:14 AM

Use of kml files:
My use of kml file is very useful. For example when Harald posted a kmz file with many tracks. By converting the kmz to kml it can be directly input into my pc viewing file then I can save all the tracks at once into gps format. Much easier than using the kmz file and converting the tracks one at a time.
Computer storage space has never been an issue for me, and yes I have many kmz file stored and very few kml files stored since I use the kml files just for conversion to gps tracks.
Please do not think that the kmz files are not useful. Keep them coming.

mtgoat666 - 9-12-2019 at 06:30 AM

Kmz is a zipped kml file

4x4abc - 9-12-2019 at 10:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Use of kml files:
My use of kml file is very useful. For example when Harald posted a kmz file with many tracks. By converting the kmz to kml it can be directly input into my pc viewing file then I can save all the tracks at once into gps format. Much easier than using the kmz file and converting the tracks one at a time.
Computer storage space has never been an issue for me, and yes I have many kmz file stored and very few kml files stored since I use the kml files just for conversion to gps tracks.
Please do not think that the kmz files are not useful. Keep them coming.

you could also (in Google Earth) open a new folder, drop all the kmz files you want into it, then save the folder as kml onto your PC, then drop folder into your GPS