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Subject Method for capturing imagery from GoogleEarth to bring into Arcmap
Author Nicholas Tripcevich
Date 2006-06-15 18:12:00
How to georeference (import) into a GIS such as Arcmap
--------------------------------------------As far as I know, there is no way to just add that data layer to Arcmap as a server
connection. However, one can georeference this imagery in Arcmap using the
following technique.
1. Setup for largest tiles:
- Ramp up the monitor resolution to the video card resolution maximum (1800x1440
on mine)
- Using GoogleEarth choose Tools > Options and use these settings.
Detail window size = Large, Lat/Long = Degrees (not Deg/Min/Sec), Quality relief =
Max, Anisotropic filtering = Off, TrueColor, Label Size=small. I turned on DirectX.
-Uncheck the Terrain layer.
2. Zoom into the high res image location. I've found that 700m (2300') "Eye Alt" was
optimal for my study area in rural Peru (I think it's 70cm data). Make sure your
viewing angle is at nadir, straight overhead. Orient north as up and turn off all the
screen stuff possible (compass, sidebar, status). Just the minimum toolbar and the
logos.
3. Turn on Lat/Long graticule, click "Save As... JPG" and name it "FilenameLL.jpg".
Do not move your view at all. Turn off Lat/Long graticule and repeat: "save As... JPG"
as "Filename.jpg" for a second file.
4. In Arcmap use the Geographic coordinate system: WGS1984 / Decimal Degrees
Lat/Long. Georeference "FilenameLL.jpg" with the Lat/Long grid using the graticule
intersections. You can enter values numerically for the "Georeference To..." graticule
by right-clicking. When 4-5 points are referenced use "Update Georeferencing..." in
Arcmap to write out the JGW worldfile. If you add more than 5 GCPs you'll be able to
do a 2nd order transformation (warp) which may work better with high-detail images.
5. In Windows go to the folder and duplicate and rename this file:
"FilenameLL.jgw" becomes "Filename.jgw"
6. Add the layer "Filename.jpg", it should line up exactly with the LL image. Build
Pyramid layers, etc.
Now you have acquired a georeferenced high res image with no lat/long lines!

Thank you to Google, Digital Globe and Quickbird.

Here's an example of how to cite and credit Quickbird imagery
http://glcf.umiacs.umd.edu/data/quickbird/
Note that if you check on the bottom-most layer in GoogleEarth Layers "Digital Globe
Coverage" you can view the date and ID number of each image.
High res imagery in GoogleEarth, at least in the part of South America where I've been
working, is probably the product described as Standard Imagery: Natural Color,
70cm:
http://www.digitalglobe.com/product/standard_imagery.shtml
Be aware that depending on how you use the imagery you might be violating the
GoogleEarth licensing EULA.
----------------------Nicholas Tripcevich
Lab Manager, Archaeological Research Facility
UC Berkeley - http://arf.berkeley.edu
Research site - http://MapAspects.org/

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