Google Earth Pro

SearchWell uses Google Earth Pro as it's graphic interface for visualising waypoints, routes and tracks.

There are three different versions of Google Earth in the marketplace –

•Google Earth web

•Google Earth app for phones

•Google Earth Pro

It is only Google Earth Pro that can be used for navigation.  This is free software that needs to run off a computer.

There are several good user manuals on the Google Earth Pro that can be found on the internet that cover the tasks are needed to do navigation for Search and Rescue :

•Search for a place by using the name

•Easily see height above sea level

•Plot a point

•Draw a line

•Measure distance

•Measure bearing

The important task for SearchWell though is to import and verify a waypoint or a route or a track, so that is all that we will discuss in this manual.

Importing a file

A reminder that when SearchWell creates GPX and KML files that are stored in 

•a parent folder called C:\SearchWell Output Files\

•a sub folder in the parent folder with the name structure of 

odate the file is being created

othe words "Search Output Files\"

The name of the file will be -

•the date and time the file was created followed by

•the contents of the file

We import files into Google Earth Pro using the Menu options – File/Open or File/Import.  The important things to note are that

•If you are opening a *.gpx or a *.kml file, Google Earth Pro does not automatically show them, so you must “Show all File types” when you select Open

•A:  Select the "File" option in the main menu

•B: Select the "Import: option

•A: Point Google Earth Pro to the folder that the file you want to import is stored in

•B: Make sure that "All Files" is selected to the right of the "File Name"

•C: Click on the name of the file you require and click on the "Open" button

Make sure that there are ticks next to each of the options in the window that is displayed, and click on the "OK" button.

The file will then be displayed on the screen.

SearchWell creates three main types of files that can be imported into Google Earth Pro

•GPX files for waypoints, search areas, drift paths and search patterns -

•KML files that contain probability information -

•KML files that contain the tracks of rescue vessels when searching an area -

Created with the Personal Edition of HelpNDoc: Easily create CHM Help documents