Plex-Earth has been programmed to be as user-friendly as possible. We have developed features to simplify procedures as much as we can, and one of these features is the ability to simply copy and paste KML objects from Google Earth to AutoCAD. Note that his simple process is also the only way to import elements from sources that Google Earth connects dynamically to, such as Network Links!
This tutorial will show several ways this can be done:
Step 1. Creating a Google Earth Element
Step 2. Copying the KML Objects
Step 3. Pasting the KML Objects
Layer Properties Considerations
Step 1. Creating a Google Earth Element
Let's start with creating a Google Earth element from scratch. It may be placemarks, paths, polygons, etc.
On the toolbar at the top, click on the icon of the element that you would like to create.
Create your element on the map and then customize your element properties on the pop-up window. For this tutorial, we will create a polygon.
You may skip this step if you already have a KML file. Just open it in Google Earth and then reveal the KML layers by ticking the box beside it on the Places tab of the sidebar.
Step 2. Copying the KML Objects
Once displayed on the map, you can copy these depending on the number of objects.
Copying a single GE element or KML layer
Right-click on the object that you would like to paste into AutoCAD. Click on Copy.
Copying grouped objects
In the sidebar of the Google Earth window, under the Places tab, right-click on the folder containing all the objects that you would like to fetch and click Copy. This will save you a lot of time, especially if there is a significant amount of objects instead of selecting them one by one.
Step 3. Pasting the KML Objects
After copying, simply go back to your DWG file in AutoCAD or BricsCAD and paste the item. Here are the different methods of pasting GE elements/KML layers to AutoCAD via Plex-Earth:
using the Ctrl+V command on your keyboard
right-click >> Clipboard >> Paste
typing PASTECLIP on the command line
typing PXV_PASTE on the command line
clicking ''Import KML/KMZ'' >> ''YES, USE CLIPBOARD'' on the KML Tools Panel
With a simple keystroke and click of a button, a designer can now fetch KML objects from Google Earth to AutoCAD with no sweat.
Layer Properties Considerations
Not all KML layers will retain their existing layer properties when pasted to AutoCAD.
In cases like this, set up AutoCAD layers first for the KML objects you'd like to fetch before pasting and make sure to enable the desired layer so the object will have the AutoCAD layer properties.
Go to Home >> Layer Panel >> Layer Properties (or type in "LA" on the command line and then hit the Enter key on your keyboard).
Afterward, double-click on the desired layer to enable it. There will be a check mark on the left side, indicating that the layer has been enabled.
You may now proceed with pasting the KML layer, and it should adopt the properties of the enabled AutoCAD layer.
For this example, even if an AutoCAD layer is enabled, the KML object, which has its embedded properties that can be edited in Google Earth, will retain them when pasted onto AutoCAD.
FAQs
What is the difference between this and importing a KML/KMZ file directly?
Both methods bring KML data into AutoCAD, but copy/paste is the only way to import elements from sources that Google Earth connects to dynamically, such as Network Links. These are live data layers that cannot be saved as a standalone KML file. For standard KML or KMZ files saved on your computer, you can use either method — see Import or Export KML/KMZ to Google Earth for the file-based workflow.
Can I copy an entire folder of KML objects at once instead of one by one?
Yes. In the Google Earth sidebar under the Places tab, right-click on the folder containing all the objects you want and select Copy. This copies all elements inside the folder in a single operation, which is much faster when working with a large number of objects.
My pasted KML objects do not have the right colours or layer properties — how do I fix it?
Not all KML layers retain their properties when pasted into AutoCAD. To control this, set up the AutoCAD layer you want the objects to use before pasting, then make it the active current layer. Objects will adopt the properties of the active layer on paste. Note that KML objects with embedded properties defined in Google Earth may still retain those properties regardless of the active layer.
Related Questions
This article explains how to copy and paste Google Earth elements and KML layers directly into AutoCAD or BricsCAD using Plex-Earth. You may have searched for:
- How to copy a Google Earth polygon or path into AutoCAD
- How to import a KML layer from Google Earth into AutoCAD without a file
- How to paste a Google Earth placemark into Civil 3D or BricsCAD
- How to import a Network Link from Google Earth into AutoCAD
- How to bring KML data from Google Earth into a CAD drawing