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Globe Manager - KML Window

The KML window is used to add Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files (.kml/.kmz) to a 3D Graphics window. Features specified in the KML files can be displayed or hidden and zoomed to using the KML window drop-down menu. A listing of KML features that are not currently supported in STK can be found here.

An example KML file can be found here: <STK install folder>/Help/stktraining/KML/Peru_Earthquake_Dynamic_Assets.kmz. The KML file includes time dynamic trajectory and sensor swath information for an aircraft flying over Peru as well as three supporting commercial imaging satellites. STK will animate through the dynamic KML as long as the time period of the animation is consistent with the time tags associated with the various KML objects. Time meta data can be viewed via the KML tab in the Globe Manager.

Manage KML Documents

Right clicking on the empty KML window will display a drop-down menu. Select Open KML Data... to add a KML file.

The table of contents of the opened KML file displays in the KML window. KML features can be displayed or hidden by turning on or turning off the checkbox next to each feature. When the checkbox is selected, the item will display on the globe in the 3D Graphics window. When the checkbox is cleared the item will not display. Click the plus and minus sign icons to display or hide the hierarchy of KML features in the KML window.

Right clicking on a feature in the KML window will display a drop-down menu. Select Zoom To to display the feature in the 3D Graphics window. Select Open KML Data... to add a KML file. Select Close KML Data to remove the file.

KML Tools

KML Tools
Icon Description
Open KML Opens a KML file in Globe Manager.
Close KML Closes a KML file in Globe Manager.
Properties Displays the properties for the selected KML item in the Globe Manager: KML Item Properties window.
Zoom To Displays the selected item in the 3D Graphics window.
Reload KML Reload the KML content.
Get Info Tool Opens the Get Info tool.
KML Help Opens the STK Help System.

Show Balloon

Right-click an item in the KML window and select Show Balloon from the drop down menu to display the informative text associated with the object.

Double-clicking an item in the 3D Graphics Window will also display the information balloon. Double-clicking an item in the 3D Graphics Window while holding down the SHIFT key will display the information balloon and zoom to the item.

Zoom To

The Zoom To button is used to move to a specific KML item in the 3D Graphics window. Right-click the item in Globe Manager and select Zoom To from the drop down menu, or select the item and then select Zoom To (Zoom To Button).

Properties

The KML Item Properties window displays a number of un-editable property values for the selected item and editable refresh rates for network linked items.

Property Description
Name Displays the item name
Link Displays the item link
Latitude Displays the item's latitude
Longitude Displays the item's longitude
Altitude Displays the item's altitude
View Period
View Period Applies to KML items that have an associated visibility time span. The item is only visible when the animation time is within that time span. If a time span is not specified in the KML file then the View Period fields do not apply.
Start Time Displays the start time of the item's view period. N/A is displayed if a beginning view period value is not present.
Stop Time Displays the stop time of the item's view period. N/A is displayed if an ending view period value is not present.
Refresh
Time Based

Allows the setting of a time-based refresh rate of network linked items.
  • Every - Refreshes every time the specified time period as entered in the Hours/Minutes/Seconds fields has elapsed.
  • On Expiration - Refreshes the file when the expiration time specified in the file is reached.
  • Once (default) - Refreshes when the file is loaded and whenever the link parameters change.
View Based

Allows the setting of a view-based refresh rate of network linked items.
  • After camera stops - After camera movement stops refreshes the file after the specified time period as entered in the Hours/Minutes/Seconds fields has elapsed.
  • Never (default) - Ignores any changes in the view.
  • On request - Refreshes the file only when the user selects Refresh from the context menu.
  • Region in view - Refresh the file when the region becomes active
 
Description Text Displays the text found in the item's description element.

Hide/Show Toolbar

Select Hide/Show Toolbar from the drop down menu to hide or show the KML toolbar across the top of the KML window.

Switch to List View/Tree View

Select Switch to List View from the drop down menu to display only the file names of the loaded KML data. The list view can be used to minimize load time of large KML files when the tree view is not necessary. KML files can only be opened, closed, and reloaded in the list view. All other features are disabled.

Select Switch to Tree View from the drop down menu to display a tree view of the loaded KML data. All KML operations are available in the tree view.

Reload KML Contents

Right-click an item in the KML window and select Reload KML Contents from the drop down menu to reload the KML file.

Refresh KML Contents

Right-click a network linked item in the KML window and select Refresh KML Contents from the drop down menu to update any changes to the KML file.

Import As...

Right-click an item in the KML window and select Import As... to turn the KML item into one of the following STK objects:

  • Aircraft
  • Ground Vehicle
  • Ship
  • Facility
  • Place
  • Target
  • Line Target
  • Area Target

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