Google Earth export allows a WaterGEMS user to display WaterGEMS spatial data and information (input/results) in a platform that is growing more and more popular with computer users around the world for viewing general spatial data on the earth.

WaterGEMS supports a limited export of model features and results to Google Earth through the Microstation V8i and ArcGIS 9.3 platforms. The benefits of this functionality include:

• Share data and information with non WaterGEMS users in a portable open format,
• Leverage the visual presentation of Google Earth to create compelling visual presentations,
• Present data along side other Google Earth data such as satellite imagery and 3D buildings.

Steps for using the export feature in each platform are described below.

In general, the process involves creation of a Google Earth format file (called a KML - Keyhole Markup Language - file). This file can be opened in Google Earth. Google Earth however is not a "platform" as ArcGIS is because it is not possible to edit or run the model in Google Earth. It is simply for display.

Once the KML file has been generated in WaterGEMS it can be viewed in Google Earth by opening Google Earth (version 3 or later) and selecting File > Open and selecting the KML file that was created.

The layers you open in Google Earth will appear as "Temporary Places" in the Places manager. These can be checked or unchecked to turn the layers on or off.