How to export Map Layers, save templates, and resolve KML uploading issues
In this article, you will learn how to:
- Export customized KML with Transect styling
- Create and save a KML template
- View stylized KML in google earth
- Resolving KML Uploading Issues
Not seeing the Sharing & Export tab in the report you are viewing? You must have Owner or Collaborator permissions in order to export or share a Transect Report.
Customize your Map Layer Export:
- Open the Transect Report with the data you want to export, and navigate to Export>Map Layers
- View and select specific items under the drop-down tab.
- Drag and drop your layers into your Selections
- Name your KML to keep organized.
Export customized KML as single stylized and labeled KML:
- After you have your Map Layer selections made, select Generate Map Layers and choose the file format you would like.
- After the export is complete, you will receive a bell notification, an email, and it will also be available on the export page. You can open the notification email, and follow the prompts to save your report as a KML to your computer.
- Alternatively, you can refresh the browser after a few minutes
- Download your customized from the exported KMLs section
Create and save a KML template:
- After customizing Map Layer Selections Click "Save As" to save a new template
- To select from saved templates, click on the caret symbol next to Select a template and select a template.
The Transect Report you are using to create the the template may not have all of the possible sublayers you want to include in a template for future reports. i.e. slope has 4 sublayers, but the report you are using to create the template may only have 3 of the 4. The 4th will not be included in the template for future reports, and may result in gaps in future KML exports using the template.
View stylized KML in Google Earth
Google Earth is the best application for viewing the KML data downloaded from Transect. For ArcMap or AutoCAD users, you can use internal tools within those applications to convert the KML data into a shapefile (.shp) or .dwg file, respectively. However, while the point, polyline, and polygon data will typically convert without issue, we are aware that not all of the data attributes will transfer with the conversion.
This issue is not unique to Transect KMLs and is a common problem when converting a KML file type to other geospatial file types. We are not aware of a fix at this time, though we propose to allow users to export the data from Transect as a GeoJSON file, which may keep attributes in tact. While we search for a fix, please let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions for addressing this particular issue.
Resolving KML uploading Issues
