How to Use SLIP Data Services using
Google Earth (GE)
Using a web mapping service (WMS), you can view alternate images in Google Earth. These
appear as image overlays. They can show you interesting information, such as weather
formations and conditions, topographical maps, alternate high resolution satellite imagery and
more.
The following public SLIP Web Mapping Services are available:
Public WMS Data Service
https://www2.landgate.wa.gov.au/ows/wmspublic
Public WMS Imagery Service)
https://www2.landgate.wa.gov.au/ows/wmspublicimagery
Note: use of the above services are governed by the Terms & Conditions of use.
Tip: Before you begin exploring WMS offerings in Google Earth, be sure to zoom in to the
particular area on the globe that you want to explore. This improves performance and lessens
the demand on the WMS servers that generously provide this free information.
To place a WMS image overlay:
1. Position the 3D viewer in the location where you want to place the overlay image file.
Try to position the viewer so that it corresponds in viewing altitude to the overlay.
2. If the overlay is of a detailed view, zoom into the subject area so that you don't have
to make large adjustments later. By contrast, if the overlay covers a large area, make
sure the entire area is encompassed in the 3D viewer with some margins for
adjusting the imagery.
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Figure 1 – Centring the area of interest in the viewer
3. Select Image Overlay from the Add menu.
appears.
The New Image Overlay dialog box
Figure 2 - Adding an Overlay in Google Earth
4. In the New dialog box, click the Refresh tab.
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Figure 3 - Dialog Box in Google Earth
5. Give the layer a name (e.g. SLIP Service)
6. Click “WMS Parameters”.
appears.
The Web Mapping Service Parameters dialog box
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Figure 4- WMS parameters in Google Earth
7. In the WMS Server drop down menu, choose an appropriate service or click Add to
use a URL (website address) for a WMS.
Figure 5 - URL Dialog for Google Earth
8. Enter the URL of the service you wish to add. In this example the SLIP Public WMS
Service is being added. Click OK
Figure 6- Adding a SLIP WMS Layer in Google Earth
9. You will be prompted for a username and password to list the layers to be added.
Enter the name and password you created during the registration process. Click OK
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10. A list of layers will display. Choose the appropriate layer(s) from the Transparent
Layers list on the left and click Add -> to add the layer(s) to the Selected Layers field
on the right. This will place the layer information in the WMS image overlay you will
see in Google Earth. To remove a layer from the Selected Layers field, select it and
click <-Remove.
Figure 7 - Selecting WMS Layers in Google Earth
11. To set the order of selected layers as they appear in the 3D viewer, select the
appropriate layers in the Selected Layers field and click Move Up or Move Down.
12. Click OK when finished.
13. The layer will now appear in the Map Window.
Note: It may take a few seconds to refresh in the Map Window. While the layer is refreshing
the image layer will appear as follows:
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SLIP data service
being loaded.
Layer refreshing.
Figure 8 - Google Earth updating layers
14. When completed the SLIP data service layer will appear as per the example in Figure
9.
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SLIP data
service loaded.
Slider
Figure 9 - Setting Transparency in Google Earth
15. Set the default transparency for the imagery using the slider. The transparency
setting for image overlays can be adjusted at any time when you are viewing an
overlay. To make it easy to position the overlay, first adjust the transparency to
achieve a good balance between seeing the imagery and the earth beneath it.
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