GarminTracksToKML converts individual tracks from a GPX file or Garmin GPS device (via the serial port) in to a formatted KML for use in applications like Google Earth. In addition, individual tracks or the entire track set can exported as GPX format files for use with other GPS utilities.

The application was designed for taking track logs from aircraft flights and creating nice looking Google Earth output. As such the KML files are formatted to use absolute altitude and to extend the track down to the surface. The style of the line/extended track can be configured by the user.

Note that the GPS import functionality is limited to devices that connect via the RS232 serial port (a serial to USB converter will work just as well as a native serial port) and support the Garmin Serial protocol. The Garmin USB protocol and NMEA are not currently supported.

Usage

GPX files can be loaded from the File/Open menu. Once loaded a window will be displayed with the tracks found within the file. Time information, if present, will be shown for each track.

To export a track as KML simply select the desired track in the table and click the Export Track As KML button. This will bring up the save window where the desired destination and style of the KML file can be selected. An identical process should be followed to export a single track as a GPX file (except that the Export Track As GPX button should be used).

The entire track set can be saved as a single GPX file using the File/Export Tracks As GPX menu option.

To import track information from a serial attached Garmin GPS device, first plug the device in to a serial port (or USB port via a serial to USB adaptor) and ensure the device is switched on (it may be necessary to select the Garmin or Garmin Serial transfer mode if this is not the default).

Open the import window using the File/Import Tracks menu option. When the import window has opened, select the serial port which the device is attached to from the drop down menu, then hit connect. After a brief pause the device details should appear in the log window and the Get Tracks button should become enabled.

If the device does not seem to be responding try restarting the device or, if using a serial/USB adaptor, unplugging/plugging in the USB cable.

Clicking Get Tracks will cause the application to start importing the track details from the device. This can be slow with large tracks but the progress indicator at the bottom of the window should slowly turn green. Once the tracks have been imported the standard track list window should appear, exactly as if the tracks had been loaded from a GPX file. From here the tracks set can be saved as a GPX file and individual tracks can be exported in GPX or KML format.

Screenshots