The KML Tools Panel of Plex-Earth offers the ability to import Google Earth elements into your drawing as KML/KMZ files and also to export your drawing's elements to Google Earth, be it 2D or 3D objects. Importing Google Earth elements into your drawing can provide valuable insights into the accuracy of the digitization procedure, and exporting your project to Google Earth can help with creating powerful visualizations to be used as a means of conveying and labeling information effectively. This tutorial will provide all the necessary information regarding the steps you will have to follow in order to make use of the KML Tools provided by Plex-Earth.
Customizing your KML/KMZ Exports
Import KML/KMZ
In order to import a KML/KMZ file into our drawing, we visit the Google Earth Tools Panel of Plex-Earth and select the Import KML/KMZ command.
We are then prompted to select our desired KML/KMZ file. Once it's done, we click Open.
Plex-Earth will then import our specified KML/KMZ file, and we will be presented with a notification window asking whether we would like to zoom to the imported objects.
By clicking YES, ZOOM, we are provided with a clear view of our imported elements in a matter of seconds. Below is the end result for our example.
Export KML/KMZ
In order to export 2D or 3D drawings to Google Earth, we visit the KML Tools Panel of Plex-Earth and select the Export KML/KMZ command.
We are then prompted to select our desired 2D or 3D objects to be exported to Google Earth as a KML/KMZ file by either picking them all one by one or creating a window lasso with our cursor in order to pick them all at once.
Once we have selected all 2D or 3D objects we would like to export to Google Earth, we hit the Enter key on our keyboard and are then prompted to specify how the altitude of exported objects should be treated.
Plex-Earth gives us the following options:
Clamped to Ground: The object is placed on the surface of the ground, ignoring any altitude values.
Relative to Ground: The altitude is measured directly from the ground level below the coordinates.
Absolute: The altitude is measured relative to sea level.
In this tutorial, we will go with Clamped to Ground. Once we have picked our preferred option, we will be presented with a Save window, where we will have to specify a destination folder and a file name. Once it's done, we click Save.
Plex-Earth will then export our 2D objects to Google Earth and ask whether we would like to open the newly created file in Google Earth.
We then click OPEN IN GOOGLE EARTH and enjoy the Google Earth view of our 2D project. Below is the end result for our example.
Export 3D KMZ
To also export to Google Earth 3D elements (like materials, surfaces, and textures), along with our drawing, we visit the Google Earth Tools Panel of Plex-Earth and, under the Export KML/KMZ dropdown button, select the Export 3D KMZ command.
We are then prompted to select our desired 3D objects to be exported to Google Earth as a KMZ file, by either picking them all one by one or creating a window lasso with our cursor in order to pick them all at once.
Once we have selected all 3D objects we would like to export to Google Earth, we hit the Enter key on our keyboard and are then prompted to specify whether or not we would like to group our selected objects into a single model.
In this example, we are going to group them into a single model by clicking Yes on the command line. Once we have picked our preferred option, we will be prompted to specify how the altitude of exported objects should be treated.
In this tutorial, we will go with Clamped to Ground. Once we have picked our preferred option, we will be presented with a Save window, where we will have to specify a destination folder and a file name. Once it's done, we click Save, as shown in the screenshot below.
Plex-Earth will then export our 3D objects to Google Earth and ask whether we would like to open the newly created file in Google Earth.
We then click OPEN IN GOOGLE EARTH and enjoy the Google Earth view of our 3D project. Below is the end result for our example.
Customizing your KML/KMZ Exports
If you need to change settings on your KML/KMZ exports, such as layer grouping, placemark customization, lineweight options, etc., this is possible by clicking on the OPTIONS button in the Altitude Mode Selection window.
Check out more information about this in this article.
Troubleshooting Export Issues
If your exported KMZ is not displaying correctly in Google Earth (missing, floating, misplaced, or showing incorrect colors) see the dedicated troubleshooting guide: Exported KMZ Missing, Misplaced, or Displaying Incorrectly in Google Earth.
FAQs
My exported drawing is floating or buried in Google Earth — how do I fix it?
This is caused by the altitude mode selected during export. Use Clamped to Ground to place objects directly on the terrain surface regardless of their Z values — this is the right choice for most 2D drawings and flat site plans. Use Relative to Ground or Absolute only when your objects have meaningful elevation data that should be preserved. For more display issues after export, see Exported KMZ Missing, Misplaced, or Displaying Incorrectly in Google Earth.
I exported my drawing but nothing shows up in Google Earth — what's wrong?
The most common causes are that the drawing is georeferenced incorrectly, the objects are buried under the terrain, the objects are not supported, etc. For a full list of causes and fixes, see Exported KMZ Missing, Misplaced, or Displaying Incorrectly in Google Earth.
What's the difference between Export KML/KMZ and Export 3D KMZ?
Export KML/KMZ works for both 2D and 3D drawings and exports linework, text, hatches, and geometry — it's the right choice for most workflows. Export 3D KMZ is for when you need to include materials, surfaces, and textures in a full 3D model. Use Export 3D KMZ when you want a rendered, visually rich 3D result in Google Earth.
I created a 3D KMZ export — can I re-import it back into CAD?
No — KMZ files created with Export 3D KMZ cannot be re-imported using the Import KML/KMZ command. Google does not preserve 3D elements in KMZ files, so the resulting file will appear blank when imported. If you need to bring geometry back into CAD, use the standard Export KML/KMZ command instead, which produces a file that can be re-imported but you will need to reapply the textures and materials in CAD.
Can I customize how my drawing looks when exported — colors, line weights, layer grouping, placemark icons, etc.?
Yes. During export, click the OPTIONS button in the Altitude Mode Selection window to access export customization settings including layer grouping, placemark styles, and lineweight options. For a full walkthrough, see Customizing your KML/KMZ Exports with Plex-Earth.
Related Questions
This article explains how to import KML/KMZ files into AutoCAD and export 2D or 3D drawings to Google Earth using Plex-Earth. You may have searched for:
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