【KMZ File Extension】 What is .Kmz and How to Open Them? ▷ 2024

File extension .KMZ What are and how to open such files?

It is very likely that you have never heard or seen this type of extension , and this is because it is very strange to find a type of .KMZ file. Therefore, KMZ is a very rarely used extension today.

This format is mainly used to save geographic data within a land browser , that is, they store map locations that can be viewed for programs like Google Maps, Google Maps for mobile and Google Earth .

Being a very little used file, it is very likely that you do not know how you can get to open this type of format , that is why here we will explain how you can carry out that either from the PC or mobile device.

Index:

What is it and what files are used with extension .KMZ?

This type of format is used to store geographic map addresses and that can be viewed through specialized programs in global mapping. Usually these files contain inside the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of the location , custom names, among others.

Its main function is to offer a panoramic view of all or almost all areas of the world, so that users can use it as a guide. This type of file is comprised of a structure that is based on tags with attributes and nested elements based on the XML standard , as well as potentially additional files such as images, 3D models, customizable icons and masks .

All this content is included in a simple ZIP compression package , which gives you greater compatibility with most programs available in the market.

How to open and view .KMZ files on smartphones or computers?

It is very likely that at some point you will find a .KMZ file , either because they sent it to you for some geographical location or because you have simply achieved it by Internet while searching for referential geo information .

In this way, here we will explain how you can visualize this type of format either from a computer or a Smartphone , to do this follow these methods that we will explain below:

On Windows PC

If you frequently use a Windows operating system computer , and you have come across a KMZ file and you cannot open it, you will be able to use the following method to be able to carry out this process. This will require the use of an extension for Chrome called “KML, KMZ Viewer with Drive”.

This tool will allow you to see KML, KMZ files, on a map , for this you will be able to open these formats from the URL or directly from Google Drive . It is important to mention that you will find this extension totally free.

On Mac computers

For Mac computers these KMZ files can be opened through Google Drive , this will allow you to review the locations Geographic that are stored within the file.

This will require you to perform the following steps:

To start you will need to have Google Drive installed on your PC.
Then open Google Earth on your computer.
There you must click on the navigation menu.
Then select the option of “Import KMZ or KML file”.
In the new window that appears on the screen, you must select the option of permittedUbicacionesrd.
Now click on the option of « More» and then select Google Drive.
Tap on the Drive icon and choose an account.
Finally, select the file so that it can be viewed.

On Android mobile phones

Being able to open these KMZ or KML files on the Android device is possible, however, it is possible to mention that what is not possible is to open it directly from the internal memory or SD memory of the Android device, it doesn’t matter if you have the Google Maps or Google Earth app installed on your mobile.

Unfortunately, you cannot open this type of format that way. But, here we show you how to open these files from your computer in an easy and fast way, for this you need to have a PC available.

In this case we will use Google Maps on your computer.
The first thing you will have to “Login” in Google Maps .
You will then have to access “My sites”.
Now you will have to click on “Create Maps “.

There you must select the option of “Import”, the following will be to search for the KMZ file that you want to view from your Android device. Keep in mind that you can try these steps from your own terminal, but it is recommended to use the Opera Mini browser to do so. The process can be a bit more tedious and complicated, but it can work for you anyway.

Once you have imported the KMZ file to Google Maps from your PC, you can sign out.
Now using your Android mobile device , you will go to the Google Maps app, if you don’t have it you can download it from “Google Play”.
There you will have to enter your data to sign in to your Google Play account .
Select the “Layers”.
Then select the option of “More Layers”.

Choose the option of “My Layers” and there you should see the KMZ file that you previously loaded from the PC.

Finally, click on the map and in a matter of seconds it will appear on the terminal screen.

On iPhone devices with iOS

In the case of iPhone mobile devices you can open this type of file KMZ through Google Earth, for this it will be necessary that you perform the following steps:

To start you must open the “Google Earth” application on your iPhone or iPad, in case you don’t you can download it from the App Store .

When you have entered the application you will have to click on the three lines located in the upper right.
Then select the option of “My sites. ”
Now click on “ Import KML file ” at the bottom.
Select the KML file you want to open.
To go back to the map and see the KMZ file that you have imported you must touch on the “Back arrow”.

Being a slightly strange format for most people, it is necessary to have a suitable program to be able to open these types of files with extensions .KMZ , which store you Geographic locations that are displayed through a , map and that allows you to identify and view locations worldwide.

In this way, here is a small list of the best applications to open and view this type of document.

Adobe Photoshop

Although many people do not know in themselves everything that is capable of doing and carrying out this type of software, it is worth mentioning that Adobe Photoshop , is a program that is compatible with a large number of formats , including KMZ and KML, which will allow you to open these types of files from your PC without many complications.

Photoshop allows you to create and edit vector and raster graphics, create 3D images and above all it gives you the possibility to work through layers, which becomes an excellent advantage for your users. This software is used by professional photographers, graphic designers, artists, designers among others. An ideal program to carry out functions of all kinds without much complexity.

Global Mapper

Global Mapper is known as a GIS data processing software, which means “ Geographic Information System ”, and the same It includes all kinds of cartographic and map information, thus providing locations around the world. A program that has been created primarily for professionals and initiators in the area of cartography.

This program will help make your maps much more visual, has drop counting tools, and with great speed when uploading any type of vector file, among its main advantages we find that It works with a wide variety of formats including KMZ. Which Global Mapper becomes a very good option to open these types of files and view them.

Google Maps

Google Maps is perhaps one of the best known applications worldwide to be able to open KMZ files and be able to view the map contained in it. It is an application that has been developed by Google and is responsible for offering each of its users its current location , as well as being able to know some other specific one.

A quite advanced and specialized program in the mapping area, many users use it mainly to know some routes, as well as follow different paths that take you to a specific place. Thus, Google Maps can be used basically as a GPS and is available for both computers, Smartphone and Tablet.

Blender

It is a free software and completely free, which will allow you to create designs and multimedia files, and which is aimed at artists and professionals . Blender will allow you to create, modify, perform 3D visualizations or high quality videos , it also has a real-time 3d engine , with which you can make creations of three-dimensional content.

In addition, it supports a large number of formats, therefore , Blender becomes a great option to be able to open files with KMZ extensions, a program that will help you visualize the different locations that may be stored in these files. It is available for Windows, Linux and Mac.

ArcGIS Desktop

One of the most advanced programs on the market, it has a great capacity to recognize any location . It is responsible for managing data, taking captures, creating professional maps, performing different basic and advanced analyzes, as well as helping to solve real problems. A software that has made a difference to the competition and that every day take a greater value for your organization, which take a better reputation before the world.

Among its main functions is the create and design maps and 3D scenes. Therefore, this program is compatible with KMZ files , which makes it an ideal software to be able to open these types of files and be able to view and modify the maps contained in it.

How to use a KMZ file with Google Maps?

One way to open this type of file through Google Maps, is to generate a URL. Note that this type of KMZ format often includes limited data from 3D models which are exported from Google Sketchup and they acquire a .SKP format . However, all of this remains contained in the KMZ main file.

These types of KMZ files are usually compressed in .KML, this ends up facilitating their sharing among users, as well as their distribution.

In order to open a file with KMZ extension in Google Maps you will have to perform the following steps:

This requires that you convert the KMZ file into an online location, which will be thrown into a URL . To do this you can right-click on the file so that get the URL of it.
The following will be to click on the URL and select the option of “Properties” .
Now copy the URL from the window where the file appears.
Once the address is obtained, the following will be to enter Google Maps in your favorite browser.
In the Google Maps search bar you will paste the address you copied previously.
Finally, click “Search” to start the search.