images-to-google-earth-ovi-maps

Photo GPS Flight Trajectory Export - Complete Guide

Photo GPS Flight Trajectory Export - Complete Guide

Overview

The Photo GPS Flight Trajectory Export feature is one of the core functions of the “Images to Google Earth/OviMap” tool. It extracts GPS location information from your photos and automatically generates flight trajectory files in chronological order of capture time, allowing you to view the complete flight path intuitively on Google Earth or OviMap.

Core Features

Smart Time Sorting

The system automatically reads the capture time (DateTimeOriginal) from each photo’s EXIF data and sorts GPS coordinates chronologically, ensuring the generated trajectory accurately reflects the actual flight route.

Multi-format Support

  • KMZ Format: Compatible with Google Earth and OviMap, can view 3D trajectories directly on maps
  • CSV Format: Easy to analyze in Excel and other spreadsheet software

Online Use Without Installation

No software download required - trajectory export can be completed directly through your browser. Desktop offline versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux are also available to meet different user needs.

Target Users

Drone Enthusiasts

After drone aerial photography, import photos into the tool to generate flight trajectories and intuitively view route coverage for planning future flights.

Outdoor Sports Enthusiasts

Photos taken during hiking, cycling, or road trips can be used with the trajectory export feature to recreate complete travel routes and document wonderful journeys.

GIS Professionals

In field surveys and terrain mapping scenarios, location information can be quickly extracted from on-site photos to generate trajectory data for subsequent analysis.

Road Trip Enthusiasts

With travel photos and the trajectory export feature, you can clearly see daily driving routes, making it easy to review and share travel experiences.

Photography Enthusiasts

Photos from time-lapse or burst photography can use the trajectory feature to view shooting point distribution and optimize shooting plans.

Technical Principles

  1. EXIF Data Extraction: The tool reads GPS latitude/longitude, altitude, and capture time from photo EXIF metadata
  2. Data Sorting: All GPS points are sorted by capture time
  3. Trajectory Generation: Connected sorted coordinates into lines, generating KMZ files
  4. Map Rendering: Open files in Google Earth or OviMap to view 3D flight trajectories

Usage Scenarios

Drone Aerial Photography

After capturing 100 photos during a drone flight, use the trajectory export feature to generate a complete trajectory line showing the flight path with markers for each shooting location.

Hiking & Trekking

Import photos taken during a hike to automatically generate a hiking trajectory, marking key locations (peaks, campsites, viewpoints, etc.) for sharing or archiving.

Traffic Accident Reconstruction

In accident handling, extract location and time information from dashcam photos to reconstruct the actual trajectory of an accident scene (requires professional tools).

Quick Start

Step 1: Prepare Photos

Ensure your photos meet the following conditions:

  • Photos must contain EXIF metadata (most phones and cameras record this by default)
  • Photos should contain GPS latitude and longitude information
  • Capture time information (DateTimeOriginal) is recommended

Tip: Some apps strip EXIF information when sending photos. Use original photos or transfer them through other methods.

Step 2: Open the Tool

Visit the Images to Google Earth/OviMap Tool or download a desktop version:

Step 3: Drag and Drop Photos

Drag photos with GPS information into the tool’s drop zone or click the upload button to select photos.

The tool will automatically parse the following for each photo:

  • Latitude and longitude coordinates
  • Altitude
  • Capture time

Step 4: Export Flight Trajectory

After parsing is complete, click the “Export Flight Trajectory“ button on the page.

Step 5: View on Map

Viewing on Google Earth

  1. Download the generated KMZ file
  2. Double-click the file or open it in Google Earth
  3. The trajectory line will appear on the globe view
  4. Click markers on the trajectory to view corresponding photos

Viewing on OviMap

  1. Download the generated KMZ file
  2. Import the file in OviMap
  3. Trajectory lines and photo markers will appear on the map
  4. Click markers to view photo details

Interface Features

Photo Drop Zone

Supports dragging in multiple photos at once for batch processing.

Data Preview Area

Displays the number of parsed photos and GPS information overview.

Export Options

Export Type Use Case
Generate Image KMZ Export map files with photo markers
Export CSV Analyze GPS data in Excel
Export GeoJSON Integrate with other GIS software
Export Flight Trajectory Generate chronologically sorted flight paths

FAQ

Q: Why don’t photos show GPS information?

A: Possible reasons:

  • Photos were compressed or edited, losing EXIF information
  • Camera or phone location recording was not enabled
  • Original images were compressed when transferred through apps like WeChat

Solution: Ensure you use original photos or enable GPS on your device when shooting.

Q: The trajectory line is discontinuous?

A: Possible reasons:

  • Some photos are missing GPS information
  • Photo time intervals are uneven

Solution: Ensure all photos contain valid GPS data.

Q: What image formats are supported?

A: Common formats like JPEG and PNG are supported. JPEG is recommended for best compatibility.

Advanced Tips

Batch Processing Large Numbers of Photos

The tool supports processing large numbers of photos at once. Consider importing in batches for better performance.

Data Analysis with Excel

After exporting CSV format, you can use Excel to:

  • Calculate total travel distance
  • Analyze speed changes across segments
  • Mark important locations

Custom Trajectory Styles

In generated KML/KMZ files, you can manually edit line color, width, and other style parameters.

Privacy Notice

All photo processing is done locally (in your browser or on your computer) and is never uploaded to any server. Your photos and location information are completely private.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment.