Screen Overlays are fixed visual elements used in mapping programs like Google Earth Pro. Unlike regular map markers, screen overlays stay in one place on your monitor while you move or zoom the map. They are perfect tools for showing logos, titles, map legends, or visual keys.
This article guides you through understanding, positioning, and coding screen overlays for your mapping files based on the KMLtouring Guide. Image Overlays vs. Screen Overlays
It helps to understand how screen overlays differ from other map graphics:
Image Overlays (Ground Overlays): These images drape directly over the landscape. If you zoom out or turn the map, the image shrinks or spins with the earth.
Screen Overlays: These images lock onto your screen. They act like a sticker placed right onto your computer monitor. No matter where you fly on the globe, the overlay stays put. The Base KML Code Template
To build a screen overlay, open a plain text editor like Notepad or TextEdit. Copy and paste the standard KML code block below to get started:
<?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“UTF-8”?> Use code with caution.
(Note: To save this properly for Google Earth, change the file extension from .txt to .kml.) Key Code Settings Explained
To customize your graphic, you must change specific tags inside the code: KMLtouring – Screen Overlays
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