Import KML Placemarks Into PDF Maps Using Dropbox

Avenza PDF Maps 1.4 has more new features for you to explore. One new feature is the ability to import your own KML points for use on a map. These points can represent anything from your favorite restaurants to GPS waypoints of your weekend hike. If you have MAPublisher, you can take full advantage of this feature by creating your own points with your own attributes. In this example, we'll be exporting points of interest to a KML/KMZ file from a Toronto map that we created in MAPublisher.

In Adobe Illustrator, our points of interest are held on separate Point layers. Along with having attribute data, such as name and location, they are symbolized using KML Symbols, included with every MAPublisher install -- Open Symbol Library > MAP Symbols > MAP Formats > KML – Symbols. This panel contains all 177 supported KML symbols to choose from.

We'll export the hotels points of interest layer from the map. In the MAP Views panel, click the hotels point layer, click the panel options menu, and click Export 'hotels'.

In the export dialog box, choose Google Earth [*.kml, *.kmz] and specify a file name and save location.

The next step is to import the KML/KMZ file into the PDF Maps app. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use Dropbox - a free multi-platform file syncing service. You can also use iTunes and email to import waypoints. For this example, we uploaded our file to Dropbox which makes it accessible through PDF Maps.

In PDF Maps, we open a Toronto map showing the same area as the map we were working with in Adobe Illustrator.

At the bottom right corner, tap the Tools button and tap Import KML File.

Tap From Dropbox. PDF Maps will open the Dropbox app. If you haven't connected Dropbox, you'll see the screen shown below. Tap Allow to make the connection. Once connected, browse the Dropbox for hotels.kmz to import it.

The hotels.kmz file will begin to import all of its waypoints/placemarks.

The notificiation shows that the hotels have been imported successfully. Since the Adobe Illustrator map may have a slightly different extent than the map being used in the app, some of the placemarks are positioned off of the map and are not available.

Tap the points to see attribute information about them. You can easily edit your own points in the MAP Attributes panel using Edit Schema to create attributes such as Name, Address, and Phone Number and import them into PDF Maps.

PDF Maps can handle hundreds of imported waypoints/placemarks. These points can be edited and exported back to KML/KMZ and Dropbox, creating a true editing workflow solution.