View source code of the function ge_box() in the MATLAB editor
Google Earth toolbox contents

ge_box

Visualization of rectangular polygons on the Earth's surface.

Syntaxgo to top

kmlStr = ge_box(x1,x2,y1,y2)
kmlStr = ge_box(x1,x2,y1,y2,Parameter,Value)

Descriptiongo to top

kmlStr = ge_box(x1,x2,y1,y2)

Plots a rectangular box on the Earth's surface, the cornerpoints of which are [x1,y1],[x2,y1],[x2,y2] and [x1,y2].

kmlStr = ge_box(x1,x2,y1,y2,Parameter,Value)

Plots a rectangular box on the Earth's surface, the cornerpoints of which are [x1,y1],[x2,y1],[x2,y2] and [x1,y2].

A number of options can be set regarding the appearance of the box. Assigning values to the parameters can be accomplished by inclusion of an alternating sequence of parameters and their value. The table below provides an overview of the authorized options. The order in which the parameters are included does not matter. Please be aware that the options are case-sensitive. Examples are provided further down.

ParameterDescription
'altitude'Height difference relative to the plane of reference.
'altitudeMode'Specifies which plane of reference to use. Must be one of 'absolute', 'relativeToGround' or 'clampToGround'.
'description'A description of objects can be included using this parameter. Its value must be passed as a character array. It will be displayed in the Google Earth Viewer within a pop-up text balloon.
'extrude'See Extruding objects.
'lineColor'Line color specification, including transparency. Color value format must be passed as a character array according to the format string 'TTRRGGBB', with 'TT' representing transparency; 'RR', 'GG', and 'BB' representing red, green, and blue colors, respectively. Intensity values are denoted as two-digit hexadecimal numbers ranging from 00 to FF. For example, '80FF0000' is semi-transparent red and 'FF0000FF' is fully opaque blue.
'lineWidth'Line width specification. Must be passed as a 1x1 numerical array.
'msgToScreen'Defines whether verbose feedback is provided by the function when it is accessed and when it finishes. Default is false (which is equivalent to logical(0), but quicker).
'name'This character array will be used within the Google Earth Viewer 'Places' pane to identify objects.
'polyColor'Polygon color specification, including transparency. Color value format same as 'LineColor'.
'snippet'A short description of the feature. In Google Earth, this description is displayed in the Places panel under the name of the feature. If a Snippet is not supplied, the first two lines of the description are used
'tessellate'See Tessellation.
'timeSpanStart'See Dynamic visualization.
'timeSpanStop'See Dynamic visualization.
'visibility'Whether the object is initially visible. Must be passed to ge_box() as a numerical value 1 or 0. Visibility state can be changed within the Google Earth Viewer by clicking the object's checkmark in the 'Places' pane.

Remarksgo to top

Latitudes on the Southern hemisphere must be passed as negative values. Same for longitudes on the Western hemisphere.

Latitudes and longitudes should be passed in units of decimal degrees (also known as fractional degrees). Google Earth uses Simple Cylindrical projection (also known as Plate Carée) with a WGS84 datum.

Examplesgo to top


output1 = ge_box(0,40,-50,-10,...
                   'altitude',20);

output2 = ge_box(20,30,-40,5,...
                  'altitude',5000,...
                      'name','box number 2',...
                 'lineWidth',5.0,...
                 'lineColor','00ffa432',...
                 'polyColor','40ff833e');

ge_output('demo_ge_box.kml',[output1,output2]);

The above lines of code will display as follows when viewed in Google Earth: