Create 3D Track Animation in Google Earth Pro

Let’s assume you don’t already have a track you want to animate in Google Earth Pro!

Step 1: Create a Track Using Kurviger

To begin, we need to create a track that will be used for our animation in Google Earth Pro. For this, we will utilize the Kurviger website. The interface is simple and user-friendly.

Start by entering the name of your starting point. For example, type the name of a village that will serve as your starting point. Once you see it appear in the suggestions, click on it.

Next, enter your endpoint. Select it from the suggestions provided by the website.

After setting both points, click on “Calculate Route” and then on “Export”. Ensure you select the GPX format for the export. Click on ‘Export’ to download your GPX file.

Step 2: Import the GPX File into Google Earth Pro

Now that you have your GPX file, open Google Earth Pro. To import the file, go to File and select Open. Navigate to the location where you saved your GPX file.

Change the file type to ‘All Files‘ to see your GPX file. Click on it and then click Open. Make sure to select Create KML Track and adjust the altitude to ground height before clicking OK.

Step 3: Customize Your Track Style

To modify the style of your track, right-click on your GPX file in the Places panel and select Properties. Here, you can change the color of your track to red and adjust the width to 20.

Set the opacity value to 60 and remove the label by setting its opacity to 0. For the icon, you can choose a triangle and set its color to blue. Click OK to save your changes.

Step 4: Play and Adjust Your Animation

To play your animation, click on the button next to your GPX file and select your track. Click on the Play Tool to see Google Earth animate your track.

You can further customize the animation parameters by clicking on your track, navigating to Tools, and selecting Options. In the Touring tab, you can adjust the camera tilt angle, camera range, and speed of the animation.

Step 5: Record Your Tour

To record your animation, position the view where you want to start, then click on the Record a Tour button. Start your recording and play the animation. Once finished, click Stop Recording and save the tour.

Step 6: Export Your Animation as a Video

After recording, close the window and select your recorded animation. Go to Tools and click on Movie Maker. Here, you can specify where to save your video, name it, and choose the resolution (1080p is recommended).

For file type, select H.264 and choose high for picture quality. Click Create Movie and wait for the movie to be recorded. Once complete, you can double-click the file to view your animation video.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a 3D track animation in Google Earth Pro and exported it as a video. 

FAQ

• What is a GPX file? GPX stands for GPS Exchange Format, which is used to store GPS data such as waypoints, routes, and tracks.
• Can I use other mapping software for creating tracks? Yes, there are various mapping tools available, but this tutorial specifically uses Kurviger for simplicity..