BaseCamp => Google Earth (copy and "paste" from BaseCamp to GE)

The program was updated 2020/01/29. There are some new features (copy URLs from Google Maps and it tries to create items in Google Earth with reasonable names).

BC2GE is a Windows program that will let you copy BaseCamp or GPX/TCX/KML clipboard data to Google Earth.

It's one extra minor step compared to the GE integration that no longer works in BaseCamp 4.7.

It's useful even if you don't use BaseCamp.

Features

  • It works with either 32 bit or 64 bit Google Earth.
  • It should work with all versions of BaseCamp (I've tried it with 4.6.2 and 4.7).
  • It should work with MapSource (I've tried it with 6.16.3).
  • It works in a simple way (which means it would be easy to update if Google Earth changes how it works).
  • You can drag-and-drop gpx, fit, kml, and tcx files onto the Copy button.
  • It will copy text in the clipboard that is formatted as gpx, tcx, or kml. Google Earth will only let you paste text that is kml.
  • You can drag-and-drop from Google Maps URLs to create waypoints in Google Earth (if the URL is in the clipboard, click the Copy button).
  • It creates items in Google Earth based on the names of the items rather than reusing a generic name.
  • It should work on most versions of Windows (32 bit or 64 bit).

You might want to check Top most so that the BC2GE window floats on top (so, it's easily accessible).
The ">>" button gives you some more options. The "<<" button makes the window smaller (so it doesn't cover so much).

How to use it

With BaseCamp (or Mapsource) –

  • Run BC2GE and BaseCamp (the order doesn't matter).
  • In BaseCamp, copy (Edit->Copy / ctrl-C / right-click-copy) the item into the clipboard.
  • Click the purple Copy button in Run BC2GE and BaseCamp (the order doesn't matter). (Here, “BaseCamp” refers to BaseCamp or Mapsource.)
  • => This will send the file to Google Earth (running it if it isn't already running).

With files/clipboard data generally –

  • Drag gpx, fit, kml, or tcx files onto the Copy button. Or drag Google Map URLs (links).

OR

  • Copy gpx, kml, or tcx (as text) into the Clipboard. Or copy Google Map URLs.
  • Click the purple Copy button in BC2GE => This will send the text to Google Earth (starting it if it isn't already running).


How it works

When you copy items in BaseCamp (into the clipboard), the data is in GDB format. BC2GE extracts the clipboard data and uses GPSBabel to convert it to a KML file. BC2GE then runs Google Earth with the KML file.


You have to be running a recent version of GPSBabel (installed in the standard way).

https://www.gpsbabel.org/

(A bunch of things install GPSBabel in various locations. Sometimes, these are old versions that won't work for this.)


You can download the program from here:

https://www.btcnj.com/mywcc/fileDown...oads/BC2GE.exe

(It's not an installer; It's just the program.)

You can put the program file anywhere you like.

=================================

Some "techie" details.

The program uses the 4.6.1 version of the "dotnet" framework. This might mean it won't run on "really old" versions of Windows. Or it might mean you need to install the 4.6.1 version. If people have problems doing that, I can change it to use 4.5.2.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl....aspx?id=49981

The program looks in the Windows registry to figure out where things (like BaseCamp, GPSBabel, and Google Earth) are installed on your computer. If these programs change how they save their configuration data to the registry, BC2GE would need to be updated (which is easy to do).


The program doesn't copy the data in exactly the same way as the integrated BaseCamp copy. In the future, I might change how BC2GE does the copy (it requires a fair amount of work).

  • I suggest what the reason for errors is the wrong path for temporary kml file in the new version of program:
    c:\Windows\TempTrack 008-0.kml (in windows folder directly)
    instead of
    c:\Windows\Temp\Track 008-0.kml (in windows\temp folder)

    So if run as administrator it is not possible to use drag and drop for me.

    That's some sort of detail to work with.


    I'll look into that.
  • I suggest what the reason for errors is the wrong path for temporary kml file in the new version of program:
    c:\Windows\TempTrack 008-0.kml (in windows folder directly)
    instead of
    c:\Windows\Temp\Track 008-0.kml (in windows\temp folder)


    The code is set-up not to do that.

    What version of Windows are you using?

    If you click on the >>, a date is displayed that shows when the program was built. It should be 1/14/2019.

    The following is a link to a special debug version. If you drop a file, it will show pop-up a message with the file names. If you can, use this version and send me a screen shot of the message.

    <removed link>
  • The system is the latest x64 PRO. The processor is multicore Intel.

    As usually the debug version work with BC if running "as administrator" only. The screenshot is enclosed.

    If I am running the program without administrator rights it is crashed. Debug is bellow:

    See the end of this message for details on invoking
    just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

    ************** Exception Text **************
    System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path is denied.
    at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
    at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError()
    at System.IO.File.InternalMove(String sourceFileName, String destFileName, Boolean checkHost)
    at BC2GE.Main.RunEarth(String strEarthFile)
    at BC2GE.Main.btnCopy_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
    at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
    at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


    ************** Loaded Assemblies **************
    mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3324.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/mscorlib.dll
    ----------------------------------------
    BC2GE
    Assembly Version: 1.0.6998.24542
    Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
    CodeBase: file:///E:/Hirvitie/Downloads/BC2GEDebug.exe
    ----------------------------------------
    System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3324.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
    ----------------------------------------
    System
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3353.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_B
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
    ----------------------------------------
    System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3190.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
    ----------------------------------------
    System.Configuration
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3324.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
    ----------------------------------------
    System.Core
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3324.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
    ----------------------------------------
    System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3190.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
    ----------------------------------------
    Anonymously Hosted DynamicMethods Assembly
    Assembly Version: 0.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3324.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_32/mscorlib/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/mscorlib.dll
    ----------------------------------------

    ************** JIT Debugging **************
    To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
    application or computer (machine.config) must have the
    jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
    The application must also be compiled with debugging
    enabled.

    For example:

    <configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
    </configuration>

    When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
    will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
    rather than be handled by this dialog box.
    ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1460285.png
  • The system is the latest x64 PRO. The processor is multicore Intel.

    As usually the debug version work with BC if running "as administrator" only. The screenshot is enclosed.

    That was very helpful. Thanks.

    The issue was how the program was'r building the file name properly when it was renaming it. The renamed file was in a place that non-administrators had permission to write to.

    It's fixed.

    Use the link in the original post to get the updated version.
  • The old version is under link...


    Hmm.

    The link should have just not worked (it was broken).

    It should work now.
  • I tried again but the old version dated 14.01.2018 was download.

    P.S. Your link in the post do not work for me all the time. I download from the file system of your site directly. From folder: downloads.
  • The 3/1 file is there.

    Maybe, somehow, you are still running the version you downloaded in January.

    Try deleting the version you have.

    I can provide it via Dropbox tomorrow.

  • Many thanks! The version from 1 March works like a charm!
  • You're welcome!

    Thanks for the help working-out the bug.