KML's Magical Mystery Tour
The Tour Function is a feature new to Google Earth in its version 5 release. It offers a new way for Google Earth to be used as an education and outreach tool, by providing a method for 'telling a story' using KML.
Download Lunch on Earth's Musical Countries KML Tour
A Guide To Touring
Recording
Tours can be recorded with (start by pressing 2) or without sound (start by pressing 1). Stop the tour by pressing 1. Once started all movement will be recorded, including navigation using the on-screen controls, keyboard, external devices or via the flight simulator.
- Record/Stop button
- Audio record button
- Current time in tour
- Cancel tour record
Playback
Double-click on the 
icon in the sidebar to load a tour in the player.
- Play/Pause & Forward/Rewind
- Tour slider
- Current time in tour
- Repeat tour button
- Save recorded tour
- Close tour button
KML features in Tours
Tours can include KML elements: Features can be turned on/off; Description balloons can be opened/closed; Locations and Styles of objects can be updated.
Links
Getting Started with Tours
- Read Google's introduction to this new function on their Lat-Long blog.
- Rich Treves at Google Earth Design describes how to create a simple tour.
- See Google Earth Outreach's guide to creating narrated tours.
- Read Google's Developer Guide for more advanced information on tours.
Examples
Jimmy Buffet concert tour.
Offshore oil rig platform annimation.
Flight 1549: Point-of-view tour from take-off to emergency landing in the Hudson River. (more info)
Flyover of San Francisco. An example of a tool been developed by Brian Flood. (more info)
UNEP historical tour of the Aral Sea.
Philadelphia sports arenas changes over time.
Animated line joining up points.
Appalachian Voices narrated tour.
Lunch on Earth's In The Navy tour.