KAP to KML file conversion program?

[svbravo]

I am trying to create satellite image files, such as those from Google Earth or Bing, for use in my B&G Zeus2 chartplotter. B&G (and Simrad and Lowrance) use AT5 format files in their plotters. Insight Map Creator will make AT5's from KML files. So, I'm trying to make KML files which I can then convert to AT5 files for use in the plotter. Programs such as SAS Planet will make these KML files.

The thing is, I have found many folks have KAP files they've already made w/ programs like GE2KAP, for use w/ plotting programs like OpenCPN. I'd like to use these already available KAP files (it would save loads of time), but haven't found a conversion program to turn KAP's into KML's (or better yet, directly to AT5 format if that's possible). I looked at GpsBabel, but didn't find the KAP format supported.

Does anyone know of a conversion for the KAP's??? Preferably direct to AT5, but to KML would be ok as well, just adds another step.

Thanks!

[phiggins]

Ge2kap will create a kml file rather than lap file. Simply add .kml to the chart name.

[phiggins]

But I guess you were asking for a program to convert existing .kap files to .kml files and actually GE2KAP can do it.

Here is how:

- In the overlay field use the browse button on the Overlay field to select the kap file
- Uncheck the Create chart from Overlay
- Enter the name in Chart Location/Name field with a .kml suffix
- Press Create chart

It will overlay the kap on Google earth. Check the alignment, then slide the slider all the way to the right and press OK.
It will create a .kml file and a .bmp file with the specified name.

See attachment

[richwest3]

svbravo asked about converting KAP files to AT5 files. I've been making AT5 files for my Simrad EVO3 chartplotters for a while now and I just posted some tutorials about the process I've been using. The fourth one on the page is about KAP to AT5 conversion and uses a great little program called mapc2mapc - kind of the Swiss-Army-Knife of mapping programs.

I posted both PDFs and videos of the process. They detail the use of different sources to make AT5s such as those available with SAS Planet, Google Earth, GE history, MapQuest and others.

It turns out that converting KAPs is really pretty easy. I was skeptical about the quality as KAPs have a maximum of 127 colors, but if the source KAPs are good, the AT5's look pretty good on my NSS chartplotters. Using existing KAPs sure saves some time.

Here's the link

I hope this is useful.

[phiggins]

Sat2Chart will create AT5 charts for your chart plotter from Kaps, MBtiles, Google earth and SasPlanet. Here is link to latest version:

http://gdayii.ca/Downloads/Sat2Chart.V10.0.7.0.exe

[richwest3]

This is great news. Thanks so much for posting it. I'll download and give it a spin. I've been using Insight Map Creator and it's not a pleasure.

There is an issue in trying to create an AT5 from a KAP file and that's the low color resolution of KAPs - I think it's 8 bits. This low color resolution makes it hard to see subtle bottom features.

[phiggins]

richwest3,

Sat2Chart does invoke the Insight Map Creator but all the fields are setup for you by Sat2Chart. All you have to is press the Build button, twice, to create the AT5.

There is a tutorial ti explain how to create an AT5.

f you need help, email me. My email is in the Help.