Googleearthtweaker

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

If you're reading this, you're probably using Google Earth to plan your geocaching trips. And like me, it's probably difficult for you to see which caches you already visited. You CAN mark them manually, but it's not easy and requires several steps. But it's worth it. And it CAN be automated with little program that I wrote.

 

Not clear what I'm talking about? Have a look:

[image: Found caches are marked with a green checkmark, my own with a yellow arrow, disabled caches with a red bar.]

 

What you need to get the same image for your data:

1. Google Earth with a KML stream

2. Pocket Queries

=> So it won't work without a premium account, sorry.

 

Then you'll also need the conversion software that I wrote, GoogleEarthTweaker. But it's free, you can get it here:

http://www.itsth.com/en/download/index.php

 

And now:

1. Create separate pocket queries for "your finds" (and optionally "your caches" and "disabled caches in your area").

2. You need the result as e-mail, unzip the GPX files.

3. Run GoogleEarthTweaker, drag and drop each GPX file individually into the window.

4. Each time the program will ask for the icon type.

5. Each time a KML file with the same name is generated. Drag and drop it into Google Earth

 

PART II - Without a KML network feed

The kml feed from geocaching.com is great, but somewhat limited. Limited in views per day, caches per screen and in speed. You can also use my program here to get this:

[image: More caches than you can probably find]

 

To get this:

1. Create one or more pocket queries for the "caches in your area".

2. You need the result as e-mail, unzip the GPX files.

3. Run GoogleEarthTweaker, drag and drop each GPX file individually into the window.

4. Each time the program will ask for the icon type, choose the first one.

5. Each time a KML file with the same name is generated. Drag and drop it into Google Earth

 

Hope you like the program.

 

Please post your "my finds" views. Let's how may you got....

[+Bo & Elisabeth]

Great program ! Thanks geo_tom

[+Crusso]

Hmmm, I have a problem with it..... When I unzip the PQ I see 2 files. 1 is a GPX file, the other isn't. When I try to drag the .gpx file into tweaker nothing happens. I have to open it in EasyGPS then resave it as a .GPX Then I can drag it to Tweaker and it seems to work properly (the window opens and asks for file type) but then nothing changes on the Google map. Am I doing something wrong?

 

Edit: Didn't grasp that part about the .kml file and dragging it back to google!

 

Next question, Tweaker doesn't apear on my desktop or in my program list. I have to return to ure web page to rerun it each time...

 

Also, anyway of making an cache type for events?

Edited March 7, 2006 by Crusso

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

Next question, Tweaker doesn't apear on my desktop or in my program list. I have to return to ure web page to rerun it each time...

Sorry, the software doesn't include an installer. When downloading it, simply store it some directory that you remember. You can start it from there anytime. You don't need to download it for each run.

 

Also, anyway of making an cache type for events?

Not sure what you mean. The first conversion mode in the dialog keeps the types and if it gets its hands on an event-cache, it will display that normally in Google Earth. Just tested that.

[+Crusso]

Ok, thanks...

[+ZackJones]

Also, anyway of making an cache type for events?

Not sure what you mean. The first conversion mode in the dialog keeps the types and if it gets its hands on an event-cache, it will display that normally in Google Earth. Just tested that.

 

I think Crusso is asking for a special icon to represent event caches.

[2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

For those that are not premium members the alternative is to right-click on the icon for the cache and select edit (at the top of the list), then click on the icon in the edit box. This will bring up a page of icons you could use or you can select "custom" at the very bottom right corner and use your own icons.

 

Hope this helps the non-premium members.

 

John

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

I think Crusso is asking for a special icon to represent event caches.

Hmm, in the "complete file" mode event caches are already understood. But I've now added a "marker" mode. If you have any caches that you consider important for you (from bookmarks queries or other pocket queries), you can now mark them with a circle of yellow dots in Google Earth.

 

And if you create a special query for event caches, you can use this mode to highlight all event.

 

New version can be downloaded here (still freeware ):

http://www.itsth.com/en/download/index.php

[Team Morris]

Do you have a symbol for benchmarks?

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

Do you have a symbol for benchmarks?

 

No, but you can use the marker symbol for them if you like.

 

But: Do benchmarks appear the GPX files? Looks like they don't appear in the kml stream for Google Earth...

[2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

You can export the gpx benchmark county files from GSAK (we use my documents to hold the file) and then drag & drop it on GoogleEarth. GE will show what ever icon you have GSAK set for. GE will show a hot link to the GC.com page when you click when you click on the icon.

 

John

Edited March 12, 2006 by 2oldfarts (the rockhounders)

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

I've just put a new version of GoogleEarthTweaker online. The old one "forgot" webcam and CITO event caches when using the 1:1 mode (first option) to display GPX files. Sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused.

[+elifish]

I really like the google earth interface and I was thinking, wouldn't it be nice if I could see which caches I have visited? So I log into the forums to see if there is a way to do it and I find this nifty toolset! Thanks a bunch! This is one of those things I wish I could do for myself, and for those who do this stuff regularly is actually pretty easy, but for me would have been very difficult to do on my own. So many thanks to you! I am a happpy googleearthcacher. THe only thing I might have done different would be to make the found icon match the one you get on the geocaching site. (i.e. the little rubbermaid with the check next to it) just for consistency sake. But beggars can't be choosers and I'm sure I'll grow to like the dark black checked circle just as much.

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

So I log into the forums to see if there is a way to do it and I find this nifty toolset! Thanks a bunch!

You're welcome

 

THe only thing I might have done different would be to make the found icon match the one you get on the geocaching site. (i.e. the little rubbermaid with the check next to it) just for consistency sake.

There's a reason for the black semi-transparent discs. They darken the normal icon and make it easier for your brain to ignore the icons that you've already visited. Imagine having 50 icons (or more ) on the screen, 20 of those already found. It's easier with darkened icons than with a checkmark...

 

Although the normal red checkmark may look nicer, I grant that...

[+dragophelion]

Slightly related...

 

I was wondering if the icon symbols used in the Geocaching Network KML were available to download anywhere, either individually or as a geocaching 'palette' as I can't seem to get them to appear when I want to change an icon for an existing cache.

 

(for example - I tend to save a cache as a placemark by copying it from the network KML, and it will keep it's icon, BUT, i can't get the icon to appear to be used with any placemarks that I've created myself! - Is there any way to do this?)

 

Basically, I'd just like to get a copy of the original icons so I can edit them to add a tick for the ones I've found, but I can't see a way to save them, other than screen capture and they keep changing size/having background view interference!

 

Any idea?

 

Thanks!

Edited March 18, 2006 by dragophelion

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

@dragophelion

Don't know if they are available *officially* for download, but you can get the icon quite easily. The URL's are in the KML placemark's properties in Google Earth. That's were I got the URLs from, too. Here they are:

 

Traditional Cache: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/2.png

Multi-cache: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/3.png

Virtual Cache: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/4.png

Letterbox Hybrid: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/5.png

Event Cache: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/6.png

Unknown Cache: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/8.png

Webcam Cache: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/11.png

Cache In Trash Out Event: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/13.png

Earthcache: http://www.geocaching.com/images/kml/earthcache.png

 

You can simply use them in your browser them or enter them in Google Earth for your own icons. Please keep in mind, that they may be copyrighted...

[+Eye Cacher]

Here is another way.

[+dragophelion]

Thank you both for your replies! They were most helpful!

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

I've just uploaded version 1.01 of GoogleEarthTweaker. You can get it here:

http://www.itsth.com/en/download/index.php

 

The old version placed the caches too high above the ground, causing them to move if you zoomed in closely and moved the map. The new version reduces that.

 

Hope you like it!

[+London Rain]

It's great to view my finds pocket query. If only the icons would be smaller it would be perfect!

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

It's great to view my finds pocket query. If only the icons would be smaller it would be perfect!

 

Ok, done. The new version 1.02 is online. It allows you to use smaller icons and understands zipped pocket queries, so you don't have to unzip them any more. You can get it here:

http://www.itsth.com/en/download/index.php

 

@Jeremy: Would you mind adding GoogleEearthTweaker to the Geocaching Software page?

(http://www.geocaching.com/waypoints/default.aspx)

[+ByrnedFish]

Help, what am i doing wrong. I get the yellow compass symbol no matter waht i choose. i dont get a green check or a yellow trianlge or a red line? any ideas?

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

Help, what am i doing wrong. I get the yellow compass symbol no matter waht i choose. i dont get a green check or a yellow trianlge or a red line? any ideas?

 

Please use a text editor to open the kml file that GoogleEarthTweaker creates. Use the editor to search for "<Icon><href>". It should point to "...icon_found.png". If it points to "...icon_mine.png" then the wrong kind of icon was chosen in GoogleEarthTweaker. Or you're creating File A with GoogleEarthTweaker and dragging File B into GoogleEarth.

 

If the file DOES contain "...icon_found.png" and you still don't see green checkmarks, then you're probably using Beta 4 of GoogleEarth which keeps messing up icons. Not only the ones from GoogleEarthTweaker. The best solution that I found here is to remove all folders when starting GoogleEarth and dragging the kml file into the program again to give it a fresh start.

[+ByrnedFish]

je ne comprende pas. Its French to me. Could you put that in simpler/different wording? Im using google earth 3.0.0762

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

je ne comprende pas. Its French to me. Could you put that in simpler/different wording? Im using google earth 3.0.0762

1. Delete the kml-File

2. Drag the GPX-File into GoogleEarthTweaker; Choose "MyFinds"

3. Right-click the new kml File; Choose "Open with"

4. Choose "Notepad" (or "Editor")

5. Use the editor's search function to search for the text <Icon><href>

 

What's the URL after the <href>-thing?

[+ByrnedFish]

OK it says icon found.png so thats what its sposed to be right? Now when i drag that into google earth it gives me this error?

 

 

it says Parse error: unexpected xerces XML parser exception at line 13

 

maybe i should try beta 4 version?

 

***I get the yellow compass things when i drag the unconverted pocket query into Google earth and the error when i drag the converted into GE

Edited June 27, 2006 by ByrnedFish

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

maybe i should try beta 4 version?

 

Worth a try. Perhaps your GoogleEarth version is too old to understand the KML files that GoogleEarthTweaker generates.

[+ByrnedFish]

Ok beta 4 made the green checkmarks work like a charm!!

 

BUT now im having the problems discussed in this topic http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=135449

[+FLAT]

yeah, okay ... that's just perfect...

 

i just created a kml File myself (by hand, copying all the caches i found - with date and (where available) time of find - from the Geo...Network.kml to my Places...) yesterday...

anyway, i just became Premium Today...

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

The was a new beta release of GoogleEarth. Because it didn't process the GoogleEarthTweaker kml files correctly anymore, I've put the new version 1.03 online to fix this.

 

GoogleEarth still seems to have problems remembering icons correctly when you close and restart it. My advise here is, to import the kml files freshly into GoogleEarth on each start (and not to store them permanently in GoogleEarth). With drag and drop this is a matter of seconds.

 

Download link:

http://www.itsth.com/en/download/index.php

[+Mr. Schwertfisch]

Hi geo_tom

 

when using your program, I recognized that some caches got extra icons.

These are caches which are related to railways, highways and churches.

How does this work?

 

BTW: thanks for the program!

[+Sternenkriegerin + geo_tom]

when using your program, I recognized that some caches got extra icons.

These are caches which are related to railways, highways and churches.

How does this work?

 

GoogleEarthTweaker has special icons for churches, TB hotels, highway caches, train station caches and night caches. It scans the cache titles for typical things like "church", "st." or "tb hotel". There are some cases when it can't recognize a cache, of course. But for well-named caches, the recognition works fine, I think.

 

geo_tom

[+Harriet the Spy]

don't mind me marking a thread