Online KML to Shapefile converter
If you ever have had a client say that they have data that they want you to incorporate into a mapping project but it is in KML format. It is gettign easier to use these consumer formats, and convert them into shapefile for use in professional GIS software. I recently came across the new online version of KML2SHP. WIth this handy online converter you do not even have to download and install software. Simply upload and check the right boxes for the data that you uploaded and you are ready to add the data right into arcGIS software. This tool is part of Zonum Solutions KML Toolbox which has some very useful tools for working with KML file formats. With these new tools it is becoming even easier to use Google Earth as a more complete GIS package. Another benefit could be that you simply tell a client to start a project outline right in Google Earth and they have nice background imagery to look at and start constructing things that they will want in their finished product and you can import them into your professional software and send someone to the field to update the locations and they already have a list of data points so they can easily find the infrastucture that they need to collect data on. I think we are seeing that converting KML to shapefiles can be very useful and will only become easier as many of the professional GIS software companies are adding the ability to read/write or import KML file directly into their GIS packages.
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