One of the important tools that Plex-Earth offers is the ability to export your drawings as KML/KMZ files to Google Earth. With this tool, you can create powerful visualizations in Google Earth to be used as a means of conveying and labeling information effectively.
This article will tackle the KML/KMZ options you have when exporting your drawings from AutoCAD/Civil 3D/BricsCAD to Google Earth to further customize your exports.
Accessing the Export KML/KMZ Options
D. Solids & Surfaces (3D Faces)
Export KML/KMZ Tutorial: Export KML/KMZ
Accessing the Export KML/KMZ Options
To access the Export KML/KMZ options, type in this command: PXV_OPTIONS_EXPORTKML.
Alternatively, it can be accessed through the Options button in the Altitude Mode windows during the export.
A. Placemarks
When the "Use default placemark" box is ticked, the exported points will have the default look and feel of the placemarks in Google Earth.
Otherwise, you can specify the placemark image, whether you want it with no icon or choose an image icon saved in your drive locally.
B. Lineweight Options
In this section, you can assign line weights to the polylines exported to Google Earth as KML/KMZ files. A more detailed tutorial about lineweight options can be found in this article.
C. Objects (Text Objects, Points, Close polylines as polygons)
Text Objects
If the "Include text objects" box is ticked, these will be exported. Otherwise, they will be ignored in the export.
If the "Render text objects as placemark" box is ticked, the text objects will be converted into placemarks. Otherwise, they will keep a realistic view on Google Earth.
Include Points
If the "Include points" checkbox is ticked, the points will be exported. Otherwise, they will be ignored in the export.
Export Closed Polylines as Polygons
If the "Export closed polylines as polygons" box is ticked, the closed polylines will be exported as polygon elements in Google Earth. Otherwise, they will be exported as paths.
D. Solids & Surfaces (3D Faces)
Use quality settings specified in AutoCAD
Checked: The exporter will calculate quality settings based on the FACETERDEVSURFACE variable in AutoCAD
Unchecked: The quality of exported 3D objects will be based on the value of the Quality option in the General tab
Fill Solid Surfaces
Checked: Fill the faces of the 3D objects with the entity color
Unchecked: Do not fill
Outline Solid Faces
Checked: Outline the edges of the faces of the 3D objects
Unchecked: Do not outline the edges
E. Other Preferences
Other preferences include the following:
Automatically open KML/KMZ upon export has finished
Group objects by layer
Including object IDs
Removing branding
Enable logging for troubleshooting