Getting Started

Steps to create thematic maps using Google Earth®

1. Download and install the free Google Earth® software (minimum system requirements are shown on this page).
2. Download the SEIFA KMZ files from the Downloads tab of this publication onto your computer (note: even though this is a KMZ file, it has a .ZIP extension).
3. Start Google Earth® then choose Open from the File menu.
4. Change the file type to "All files (*.*)".
5. Find the SEIFA KMZ files and click open for the one you want to load.

After a few seconds you should see the following inside the Google Earth® window:



An alternative approach is to start Google Earth®, and then drag the saved SEIFA KMZ files into the Google Earth® window. This loads the data automatically. The image below shows one of the SEIFA KMZ files being dragged from the Desktop into the Google Earth® window (note that the mouse has a small '+' indicating the data will be added to the Google Earth® display).



Note: The ABS recommends turning off the '3D Buildings' option in Google Earth® to improve performance of the mapping software. This will reduce loading times and sharpen the appearance of the thematic mapping overlay.

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