An overview of the To KML toolset

Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is an XML-based language for defining the graphic display of spatial data in applications such as Google Earth and ArcGIS Explorer. KML enables these applications to support the open integration of custom data layers from many GIS users. KML encapsulates the graphic display of GIS features and imagery, as well as the presentation of feature attributes and other descriptive information.

Both map documents and layers must be authored inside ArcGIS for Desktop and then converted to KML. Some of the key properties to be defined include the layer's name, labeling, symbology, supplimental information to display as a snippet, and the HTML Popup presentation of attributes. Once the layers and maps have been authored, you can use the below tools to export zipped KML (KMZ) files for consumption in any application that supports the KML format.

Tool	Description
Layer To KML	This tool converts a feature or raster layer into a KML file containing a translation of Esri geometries and symbology. This file is compressed using ZIP compression, has a .kmz extension, and can be read by any KML client including ArcGIS Explorer, ArcGlobe, and Google Earth.
Map To KML	This tool converts a map document into a KML file containing a translation of Esri geometries and symbology. This file is compressed using ZIP compression, will have a .kmz extension, and can be read by any KML client including ArcGIS Explorer, ArcGlobe, and Google Earth.

Tools in the To KML toolset