The Google Earth Windows Environment:
Navigating the Globe (Keyboard Controls)
| Command |
Windows/Linux Keystroke(s) |
Mac Keystroke(s) |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move left | Left arrow | Left arrow | Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow. |
| Move right | Right arrow | Right arrow | Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow. |
| Move up | Up arrow | Up arrow | Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow. |
| Move down | Down arrow | Down arrow | Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow. |
| Rotate clockwise | Shift + left arrow | Shift + left arrow | Rotates the view clockwise. The earth spins counter-clockwise. |
| Rotate counter-clockwise | Shift + right arrow | Shift + right arrow | Rotates the view counter-clockwise. |
| Show/hide Overview window | CTRL + M |
+ M |
Displays or closes overview window. |
| Tilt up | Shift + left mouse button + drag down, Shift + down arrow | Shift + down arrow | Tilts the viewer toward "horizon" view. |
| Tilt down | Shift + left mouse button + drag up, Shift + up arrow | Shift + up arrow | Tilts the viewer toward "top-down" view. |
| Look | CTRL + left mouse button + drag |
+ mouse button + drag |
Perspective points in another direction, as if you are turning your head up, down, left or right. |
| Zoom in | Scroll wheel, + key, PgUp key | Scroll wheel, + key | Zooms the viewer in. Tip: to use the 'Page Up' key, make sure 'Num Lock' on your keyboard is off. |
| Zoom out | Scroll wheel, - key (both keyboard and numpad), PgDn key | Scroll wheel, - key (both keyboard and numpad) | Zooms the viewer out. Tip: to use the 'Page Down' key, make sure 'Num Lock' on your keyboard is off. |
| Zoom + automatic tilt | Right mouse button + drag up or down | CTRL + click + drag up or down | Zooms the viewer in and automatically tilts your view as you approach ground level. |
| Stop current motion | Spacebar | Spacebar | When the viewer is in motion, stops movement |
| Reset view to "north - up" | n | n | Rotates view so that view is 'n'orth-up. |
| Reset tilt to "top-down" view | u | u | Resets angle to view scene in "top-down" or "'u'p" mode. |
| Reset tilt and compass view to default | r | r | 'R'esets angle to view "top-down" and rotates to "north-up" view. Use this feature to orient the earth in the center of the viewer. |
The Google Earth Keyboard and Mouse controls
Managing the Places Window
Insert folders Ctl Shift N or Edit new folder
Move items from one location to another (Ctl x, Ctl v ) Copy cut and paste
Save file: Right click save or Edit Save.
Save as KMZ or KML
Right click on a file to select menu options
Insert a place marker
Click on the yellow place marker Drag it to the location you want. (it will position itself at the center of your screen)
Give the marker a title
Select the type of icon
Select the size and colour
Select the text size and colour
Write a description in the window
Creating a Tour
Get directions from one location to another (Camp Verde to Sedona)
Use the path tool to follow the route, remember swing and sway no sharp turns!
When the path is complete highlight the file, select properties, chose altitude, relative to ground, 200 meters? 100 meters? you be the judge.
Select play tour (bottom right of places window. Be sure terrain is set on. (last item in the layers window
Make a Movie of the Tour
Once you have a tour you can make a "movie" of the tour
Select the path you have created
select the camera icon, it will open at the bottom of the screen
Click the red icon on the camera menu
click the play tour option to start the tour
When the tour is complete stop the camera by clicking on the red button
Finally save the movie by clicking on the :save file picture
To save the movie for the future select the movie and right click and save as kmz file to a folder on your hard drive.
The Layers Window
Historical Imagery, select Rumsey historical maps soom in on an area, select the circle icon, click, and click on thumbnail image
Street View
Virtual Buildings