How to Format Your Google Earth File
Voyage Stories reads your KML file and transforms it into a cinematic farewell gift. Here's how to set up your Google Earth project for the best results.
Mark Your Main Ports
- ›Create a Placemark for each port of call or major stop
- ›Use large icons in Google Earth for main destinations
- ›Use smaller icons for secondary stops (landings, anchorages, zodiac cruises)
- ›Add descriptions — even brief notes work (AI will enhance them)
Draw Your Sea Passages
- ›Draw a Path (line) for each passage between stops
- ›Name routes with the day: "Day 1 to Day 5" or "Day 9 - Overnight"
- ›The app reads "Day X" from line names to build your diary timeline
- ›Different colors for different regions helps the map legend
Name Everything with Days
- ›Include "Day X" in your route names — this creates the voyage timeline
- ›Routes without day numbers still work, but won't show in the diary
- ›"Day 14 - Overnight", "Day 17 - Evening", "Drake Passage (Day 9–14)"
- ›Placemarks can also include day numbers for sorting
Add Details & Descriptions
- ›Write quick notes for each placemark — depth, conditions, activities
- ›"Zodiac cruise, macaroni penguins, glacier views" — even one-liners work
- ›Our AI writer (Claude) will transform your notes into cinematic prose
- ›You can always edit descriptions after upload in the editor
Example: How Your Google Earth Project Should Look
Google Earth Sidebar
Large Icons = Main Stops
Ports of call, overnight anchorages, and key destinations. These become the main waypoints in your story.
Highlight = Key Moments
Star your most memorable stops. First landfall, furthest south, once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Small Icons = Secondary Stops
Quick zodiac cruises, transit anchorages, brief landings. These still appear but don't dominate the story.
Lines = Sea Passages
Draw a path between stops. Name it "Day X to Day Y" so the app builds your timeline automatically.
Already Have an ECDIS Route?
If your voyage is planned in an ECDIS system, you can convert your route file to KML in a few steps. Most bridge systems export in RTZ, RT3, or GPX — all convertible.
1. Export from ECDIS
Export your planned route from the ECDIS as .RTZ (IEC standard), .RT3 (Transas/Wärtsilä), or .GPX (universal GPS format). Most systems: Routes → Export → USB/network share.
2. Convert to KML
Use one of these free tools:
- ›gpx2kml.com — GPX → KML (instant, no install)
- ›GPS Visualizer — Any format → KML (web-based GPSBabel)
- ›ECDIS Route Manager — RTZ/RT3/RTE → KML (desktop, handles all ECDIS formats)
3. Enhance in Google Earth
Open the KML in Google Earth — add waypoint names, descriptions, and different icon sizes for main stops vs. secondary. Then re-export as KML and upload here.
Common ECDIS formats: .RTZ (Furuno, JRC, Kongsberg) · .RT3 (Transas/Wärtsilä) · .GPX (universal) · .RTE (legacy Transas) · .WPT (waypoint lists)
Ready to Create Your Story?
Upload your KML and let AI transform it into a cinematic farewell gift.