Archived Level 3 Data in Google Earth

[Chris Nuttall]

Maybe I missed a thread in my searching. I didn't see this particular topic come up, so I'll ask here.

I'm in the process of working up a small presentation on the events around Greensburg on May 4-5 (presentation is on Thursday, btw). I came up with the idea of using Google Earth as the foundation of everything. I can put up markers that will pop up my pictures, overlay storm reports, GPS log from the chase, damage path, before/after pictures, etc. The only thing I'm missing from this is radar data.

So, basically, the question is, is there a way to get archived Level 3 data displayed in Google Earth...I assume via .kml files? I've already got the radar data, so I could go ahead and just load up GRLevel3, but I was trying to do something different and make the presentation a little more dynamic than PowerPoint slides. This was something I haven't seen done before, so I thought I would give it a whirl?

Any ideas? TIA.

 

[Eric Flescher]

Google Earth for Dummies

I have used Google Earth to call up maps of Total Eclipse paths through the years, meteorite craters all over the world and more.
I have also been trying to figure out , as you, trying to make my own overlays and markers.
This Google Earth for Dummies is not for dummies but is well done.It shows how to edit placements, customizing styles and colors, changing placement icons.
So eventhough I have reviewed it and am still figuring things out, give a shot. You can find it at a local bookstore.
Post when you and others find and how to use the maps too.


::

Maybe I missed a thread in my searching. I didn't see this particular topic come up, so I'll ask here.

I'm in the process of working up a small presentation on the events around Greensburg on May 4-5 (presentation is on Thursday, btw). I came up with the idea of using Google Earth as the foundation of everything. I can put up markers that will pop up my pictures, overlay storm reports, GPS log from the chase, damage path, before/after pictures, etc. The only thing I'm missing from this is radar data.

So, basically, the question is, is there a way to get archived Level 3 data displayed in Google Earth...I assume via .kml files? I've already got the radar data, so I could go ahead and just load up GRLevel3, but I was trying to do something different and make the presentation a little more dynamic than PowerPoint slides. This was something I haven't seen done before, so I thought I would give it a whirl?

Any ideas? TIA.

 

[John Diel]

Chris,

Try this. I don't know how far the info goes back since it's more "real-time" oriented, but you might be able to contact someone there who can point you in the right direction.

http://wdssii.nssl.noaa.gov/

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12577&highlight=google+earth

http://destinsharks.com/google-earth-maps/162

Good luck!

 

[Chris Nuttall]

All the radar files I've found are in .kmz format, so I can't open them up in notepad to see how they are written. I also can't figure out how to run the radar animation (if it really "animates") from the NWS RIDGE data. I don't really need animations, but it would be cool...I can just use GRLevel3 for that.

If I can just figure out how to display just signle images of reflectivity/velocity, I'd be golden. I can just turn them on/off at will. Well, I still have 2.5 days to figure this out.


EDIT: I guess it would help if I updated to the latest version of Google Earth. Then I could get animations....sigh...

 

[Mike McDonald]

kmz files can be opened with any unzip program. Likewise, kml files can be zipped to form a kmz file. Just change the .zip to .kmz.

Mike

 

[Chris Nuttall]

kmz files can be opened with any unzip program. Likewise, kml files can be zipped to form a kmz file. Just change the .zip to .kmz.

Mike

Thanks, Mike.

Okay, I think I've got this narrowed done now. After glancing through the code, the radar images are nothing but .gif files...with a transparent background so the mapping shows under them. So, it appears that all I have to figure out is how to convert an image of refl or velocity into a transparent .gif file.

I think I've figured that out too...but, boy is it going to be tough. The only way I can figure is to view it in GRLevel3 on nothing but a black background...no mapping whatsoever. Save just the radar image, then use a photo editing program to turn the black into a transparent background. LOL, this is going to be rough. If any of you coding experts can figure out a better way to do this, I'm all ears.

 

[Zack Borst]

you could try opening it in adobe imageready if you have it. You can edit .gif in there and I am sure there is a opacity slider that can do exactly what you see to do and all you would have to do is add a blank background/layer to it. At least it seems that easy in my head but its late and im to lazy to try to do something tonight to find out.

 

[Nick Smith]

If you have Photoshop, use the Magic Eraser tool to make the background color become transparent.

 

[Chris Nuttall]

With Mike's help I got it all figured out. The NCDC Java NEXRAD Viewer will export animations to .kmz. I just removed everything and put the radar on a straight black background. Then, I unzipped to a folder, and used Color2Alpha in Gimp to get the background transparent, put the new files back into the old .kmz, and I was done.

Took a while making the backgrounds transparent. I had 7 hours of data to go through...took me roughly 1.5-2 hours to get all 118 images with a transparent background...and that was just for BREF. But, I got it done now. Thanks to all for the help.