Google Earth Lab

 Exploring Southern Florida in 3D: My Google Earth Lab Experience

For this lab in my Computer Cartography course, I worked with ArcGIS Pro and Google Earth Pro to create and share interactive geographic visualizations. The objective was to explore how GIS outputs can be transformed into accessible, engaging formats for broader audiences using tools like KMZ/KML files and recorded tours.

The first part of the assignment focused on converting ArcGIS layers into KML format. I created a dot density map of population data for southern Florida, organized layers such as counties, hydrography features, and a custom legend overlay in Google Earth. It was an excellent exercise in managing geospatial data interoperability across platforms.

The second part involved designing and recording a virtual tour of major cities in southern Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa. I added placemarks to each location, explored 3D building models (including photorealistic and LiDAR-based imagery), and customized a narrated flythrough experience. This helped solidify my understanding of camera navigation, data layer visibility, and storytelling in spatial presentations.

Through this lab, I learned how to:

  • Convert GIS data into KML/KMZ formats

  • Add custom layers and overlays in Google Earth

  • Record and save interactive geographic tours

  • Highlight urban spatial differences using 3D visualization

This hands-on experience showed how GIS can be transformed from static maps into dynamic storytelling tools for education, tourism, planning, and public engagement.




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