When Litchi wasn’t yet available on M3E, I purchased Dronelink, which is a good platform, but I just feel Litchi is easier for operational planning and use. Now that the Beta is available for the M3E, I wanted to import a KML file that I used in Dronelink, and have exported via google earth pro. I’ve tried to import the file which is a waypoint mission into mission hub, but it doesn’t appear to show up as a mission. Any suggestions on how to upload this kml file would be appreciated.
1 Like
If you would be willing to share the KML file with me, I can have a look and let you know how to import it.
Wes,
I’m unable to upload it into this thread. Can I email it to you or share via dropbox?
You can click on my icon and paste the contents of the KML file in a private message to me or send me email through my web site and I’ll respond with an email address.
I have had a look at the file you provided. The file you sent to me is a KMZ file. Litchi can import KML files but not KMZ files. This KMZ file contains three components:
- Flight Path
- Flight Motion
- Captures
My suggestion is to:
- Open your KMZ file in Google Earth Pro.
- Expand your KMZ file by clicking on the little triangle.
- Right-click on the “Flight Path” and choose “Save Place As…”.
- Change the “Save as type” to KML.
The saved KML file can be imported into Litchi. Be warned, your KML data contains over 3000 waypoints.
Good evening, here on this website that I’m sending you there are several conversion tools, I believe you will be able to solve them. However, your drone has a native tool for the purpose you want.
Thank you Wes, that worked.
Similar thing I’m trying to accomplish, could use some help.
I have a KML file that I input into Mission Hub (web), but it only seems to draw the parcel shape outline, it doesn’t actually create any waypoints.
I am grabbing the parcel KML from the state/county, similarly to Bill in this post, and it sounds like Mission Hub automatically created the waypoints based on the KML file he input - <SOLVED> How to create a shape file - #5 by Bill_Hagen
How do I go about doing this? Here is the parcel KML file that was generated from the state/county GIS - Upload Files | Free File Upload and Transfer Up To 20 GB
Thank you!
Hmmm…that’s a bit concerning. I haven’t had do do this since that post, so I tried it again just now, both with your kml and also the kml I used in that post and: it doesn’t make waypoints. 
As you said, it draws the shape, but no waypoints, no matter what boxes I check during the import!
@Admins, is this a bug, or was a decision made to not create waypoints from kmls?
Appreciate you guys’ replies.
Ahh, this was the reason I discovered Litchi, and decided to try it.
Is there a way/another tool or whatnot to automate/accomplish this currently?
Or must now the waypoints be drawn manually?
I take it the KML shape is now just a visual reference, and the waypoints can be manually inserted anywhere (KML shape doesn’t act as a forcefield, etc), or can just fly manually with no waypoints and use the visual reference of the parcel boundary shape (maybe this will be ok)?
My task is to take photos of property/land, so my intention was to obtain the parcel boundary lines via KML, and fly those as waypoints to gather the appropriate footage. Is there a way to get the visual reference (or waypoints) from the KML directly into DJI Fly or anything of the sort (doubt it)? DJI Air 2S.
PS, now being the waypoints need to be manually inserted, the altitudes and all also need to be calculated manually (this may have always been the case with KML’s/new to Litchi) - I was under the impression/hoping to just grab the parcel KML file, import into Mission Hub, then go fly the mission… with all the GPS/flight information being contained in the KML file pulled from the state/county. Is there a way to get the proper altitude figures from Google Earth Pro (or Mission Hub, etc) while creating a flight path/waypoints within either program? In my part of the country, Google Earth Pro doesn’t have 3d model buildings to get an accurate sense of height by hovering your mouse over the structure, like for example in a major city.
For example, if I create a manual flight path starting at 10ft, will the next waypoint I place automatically adjust the altitude if there is a tall building or trees to fly over? Say drone takes off at 10ft waypoint #1, I place a 2nd waypoint on top the roof of a building, say building is 100ft, will any software (Google Earth, Mission Hub, etc) calculate those altitudes and set them appropriately (drone altitude to reach top of building would then be 110ft) - or must I know the altitude of the surroundings (best/easiest way to find?) to input the altitude figures manually for each waypoint going forward?
Thank you. Cheers
This is an interesting and welcome change. Over the years people have asked for a way to create a boundary in Litchi. Now there is a way. This will also allow for other possibilities.
When importing a “Polygon” from Google Earth Pro, just the outline is displayed – no waypoints. However, when importing a “Path” element, waypoints are still created. There is a way to alter a KML file containing a “Polygon” to a KML file containing a “Path” and it is not too difficult. Here are the steps:
- Open the KML file containing a “Polygon” using a plain text editor such as Notepad++.
- Locate two lines that look like <Polygon> and </Polygon>.
- Change them to be <LineString> and </LineString>.
- Save your changes then import the modified KML file into Litchi.
Do your property outlines contain elevations at each waypoint/vertex?
No. Elevation models do not include buildings or trees. You can specify that the waypoint heights are “Above Ground” and the waypoint elevations will be adjusted according to the ground elevation beneath each waypoint.
@wesbarris appreciate the insight.
Do your property outlines contain elevations at each waypoint/vertex?
– Mind taking a look at my KML file? PS, I changed the Polgygon to LineString and that seemed to add waypoints, albeit created a ton of waypoints, here is the result of the KML file: Upload Files | Free File Upload and Transfer Up To 20 GB
I have looked at it. It wasn’t entirely clear to me whether you expected the KML file to already have waypoint heights in it (it doesn’t) or if you are looking for a way to add them.
If you wish to have the drone fly at a constant height above ground, you can do that in Litchi’s Mission Hub by setting the desired waypoint height and checking the “Above Ground” checkbox for each waypoint. The quick way to do this is to use the “Select All” function and set the height once for all waypoints. Keep in mind that for the “height above ground” option to be accurate, your take-off location must be near to waypoint 1.
A waypoint is created at each vertex of the polygon. If there are too many waypoints for what you need, feel free to delete those you don’t need using Litchi’s Mission Hub.
There it is…thank you!
“- KML polygons are now correctly imported as map overlays rather than waypoints”
And there is the fix! Thank you!
I think this will do what I need, hope to try it soon. Thanks again. Cheers
PS, who can make a script/program to automagically change the Polgygon to LineString within a KML file 
A quick Google Search turned up this converter: