Google Earth API GONE!

[phiggins]

DO NOT INSTALL LATEST VERSION OF GOOGLE EARTH or Google Earth Pro!

It looks like Google has finally done it. They have removed the programming interface that allows GE2KAP and the OpenCPN GE plugin to communicate with Google earth

So don't upgrade to the latest version. If you have already, you can get an old version from my website that still works:

http://www.gdayii.ca/Downloads/googl...6.2.2.6613.exe

or V7:
http://www.gdayii.ca/Downloads/GoogleEarthWin.exe


You can also install V7.0 from the Google earth downloads page by using the advanced options.

You may have to stop GE after installing initially then restart it for it to work with GE2KAP.

[msanderson]

Hi Paul,

I've been looking through the release notes available here (https colon slash slash support.google.com/earth/answer/40901?hl=en and didn't see any mention of an API being disabled. I've used ge2kap a couple of times and I always thought it was doing some kind of screen scraping. What is the interface that you are using?

Cheers,
Mike

[phiggins]

It is called the Com aka OLE aka ActiveX interface. Google said a few years ago they would no longer support it and would someday disable it. It allowed an application to access GE and get things like the screen coordinates (lat/lon).


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[dazbys]

Does the maps API supersede this (although online only)? What is it used for in OpenCPN - supplementary overlay images. The maps API could also be used to build up a cache of satellite images for an area too.

[nohal]

dazbys...

OpenCPN uses the same COM API as GE2KAP.

The Google Maps API is totally useless for anything but web applications.

For OpenCPN, when I get to it, the current GE plugin will be superseded with a new one, getting the imagery directly from a tile server and very extensively caching locally. First supported will definitely be OpenLayers as it is what the sources which are really free to use implement. Then Bing, then maybe Google - I have to read their current licensing policy.

Pavel

[sailorF54]

Hi Paul

Is this the reason why I get this error message after upgrading to the latest GE pro version ?
=======================
ERROR: SYNTAX occurred at line:1118
Content of line:
comm._geobj = .OleObject~New('GoogleEarth.ApplicationGE',"WITHEV ENTS",1)
ERRORTEXT:Execution error
==============

[phiggins]

Yes, that means the API is not there.

I have put a copy of GE Pro V7.1.2 on my website if you want to drop back:

http://www.gdayii.ca/Downloads/GoogleEarthProWin.exe

Don't forget the license code is "gepfree"

[phiggins]

Don't forget if you install my old version you must terminate GE after installing or Ge2kap will get same Ole error because GE is at elevated UAC level after installing.


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[phiggins]

I have discovered a way to turn the API back on in the latest versions of Google Earth. If you are interested let me know.

[sailorF54]

Originally Posted by phiggins

I have discovered a way to turn the API back on in the latest versions of Google Earth. If you are interested let me know.

YES, of course !!!

[phiggins]

OK I will email you the simple trick to do it. I won't publish it online as "G" (not God) may close this loophole if they found out.

[newhaul]

Email me to please

[phiggins]

newhaul, what is your email address send me a PM with it.

sailF54, sent instructions. Post here if it works

[phiggins]

Well looks like there may be a lot of requests for this and since I am flying to Mexico tomorrow to my sailboat so if I get my head cut off. Here are the instructions:

[phiggins]

ops didn't attach too big... here they are

Here are the steps to get the new verion of Google Earth (7.14 or higher) follow this exactly:

1. If you have already installed GE V7.1.4 or higher then uninstall it, or if you have installed a lower version of GE uninstall it (a lower version of GE Pro is OK).

2. Install my version of GE Pro V7.1.2 by clicking on this link (if you already have this version installed go to step 3):
http://www.gdayii.ca/Downloads/GoogleEarthProWin.exe
Enter your email address and license code "gepfree"
Do not Launch GE Pro from the Install, if you did terminate it.

3. Download and install the latest version of GE (not GE Pro) from Google.

4. You may want to create a system Recovery point in case the following does not work, this is optional.

5. Open a Command Prompt (Admin) then paste in the following command depending if you are a 32 or 64 bit system and execute it:

For 64 bit system:
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{8097D7E9-DB9E-4AEF-9B28-61D82A1DF784}\LocalServer32 /ve /f /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Earth\client\googleearth.exe"

For 32 bit system:
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8097D7E9-DB9E-4AEF-9B28-61D82A1DF784}\LocalServer32 /ve /f /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Earth\client\googleearth.exe"

6. Install GE2KAP V17.0.1.6 from my website: http://www.gdayii.ca/Downloads/GE2KAP.V17.0.1.6.exe

7. Start GE2KAP V17.0.1.6 or the OpenCPN GE plugin, it should start the new version of Google Earth and work.

8. DO NOT uninstall GE Pro.

9. To back out to run GE Pro either uninstall GE and GE pro then redo step 2 or you can run this command:

For 64 bit system:
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{8097D7E9-DB9E-4AEF-9B28-61D82A1DF784}\LocalServer32 /ve /f /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Earth Pro\googleearth.exe"

For 32 bit system:
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8097D7E9-DB9E-4AEF-9B28-61D82A1DF784}\LocalServer32 /ve /f /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Earth Pro\googleearth.exe"