Saving and Using BigGameCD Maps in Google Earth!

Click on the “Steps” to view an instructional screen shot

Step 1

Create your map in BigGameCD 7.0.   Zoom into your subject area and Save a high resolution image.  We recommend saving the image in the C:\BiggameCD\ directory.   Make a note of the type of map used as your background (Land Ownership, Topo, Satellite, Shaded Relief) and the Unit your area is in. 

Step 2

Open Google Earth.  Select the Unit map matching your background map.  In our example, we created an antelope concentration map in unit 861.  In Google Earth, we would open the GMU 861 Land Use.kmz file.

Step 3

In Google Earth, select “Add” then “Image Overlay”

Step 4

Select the map you saved in Step 1 above.  You may need to change the “Files of Type” selection to “All” in order to see your map.  Highlight the map and click “Open”

Step 5

Google Earth will project your new map over the map you opened in Step 2.  Type in a name for your new map, it can be the same as your stored map.  Then, slide the Transparency bar to the middle.   Click “Ok”

Step 6

Find your map in the “Places” section under “Temporary Places”.  It will have the name you gave it in Step 5 above.   Right Mouse click on the map and choose “Properties”.

Step 7

The “Edit Image Overlay” box will appear.   Slide this box down to the bottom of the screen almost out of sight.  Then, adjust the image (now semi-transparent) to match the map below.  Align roads, unit boundaries, or other land marks.  Adjust the image by grabbing the green “T” bars along the edges.  Grab the Center + bar to move the whole image.   You can zoom in and zoom out using the left and right mouse buttons.  

Step 8

Once your map matches, move the “Edit Image Overlay” Window back up and slide the Transparency bar completely to the right.  

Step 9

Choose File, Save, then “Save My Places”.  Save the map under your chosen name or another name.  Again, we recommend saving this map in the c:\BigGameCD\ directory.  

Step 10

When saving the Google Image, make sure the “Save as Type” selection is .Kmz.  This is the Google File format.

Step 11

You can now re-open the map in Google Earth’s 3D viewer.  You only need to perform these steps once for a map.   After you have saved the map you simply select “File” and “Open” to view the map in Google Earth.