Index

Build KML files in plain Python

KMLB Docs

KMLB is a dependency-free Python KML builder for Google Earth. Write points, lines, polygons, styles, and folders in plain Python, then assemble them into a complete .kml

New to KMLB? Check out our Quick Start Guide and a tutorial that builds a KML of Boston waterfront attractions step by step.

---

Example KML Script

Each feature is a single Python call that returns a KML element. Create features, give them styles, and gather them into a document to write to disk. That is the whole workflow.

import kmlb

# CREATE A POINT
fountain = kmlb.point([-71.051904, 42.358988, 0], "Rings Fountain")

# WRITE KML FILE
kmlb.kml(
    "Boston Fountain",  # KML name
    [fountain],         # Features
    path="folder/boston_fountain.kml"  # Export path
)

Example 3D Output

Building footprints extruded into 3D and viewed in Google Earth, built with kmlb polygons.

---

Reference

Function references

Every kmlb function, grouped by what it does. Follow any link for its full signature, parameters, and worked examples.

Features

Build placemarks from coordinates or a search, ready to drop into a folder or document.

Function	Description
point	Point placemark from a [lon, lat] (or [lon, lat, elev]) coordinate set.
search_poi	Placemark located by an address or search string, geocoded by Google Earth.
street_view	Point placemark built from a Google Maps Street View URL that opens that panorama.
line	Line or polyline from an ordered list of coordinates.
polygon	Polygon from one or more rings (first ring outer, the rest holes).

Styles

Define a reusable style once, name it, and reference it from a feature's style_to_use.

Function	Description
point_style	Reusable point style: icon, color, scale, and label.
line_style	Reusable line style: color and width.
polygon_style	Reusable polygon style: fill and outline.

Views & Export

Group features, set the camera, and write the document.

Function	Description
folder	Group features and other folders together.
kml	Assemble features and styles into a KML document and write it to disk.
look_at	Camera angle and view that orbits a target, for a feature or document.
camera	Camera viewpoint (eye position and aim) for a feature or document.
networklink_kml	Network-link KML that refreshes from a hosted URL.

Geodesy

Measure and project on the WGS-84 ellipsoid.

Function	Description
distance	Distance in meters between two coordinates.
bearing	Initial bearing in degrees between two coordinates.
destination	Coordinate reached from an origin along a bearing and distance.

Shapes

Higher-level geometry built on the core builders.

Function	Description
circle	Circle polygon of a given radius around a point.
ellipse	Ellipse polygon from two semi-axes and an orientation.
rectangle	Rectangle polygon anchored at an upper-left corner, rotatable by azimuth.
ngon	Regular-polygon (triangle, pentagon, hexagon, ...) around a point.
annulus	Filled ring polygon (an outer circle with a hole).
arc	Range-of-reach arc drawn as a line.
wedge	Pie-wedge (circular sector) polygon, a natural fit for cellular coverage.
ribbon	Buffered polygon around a path; even or per-point width.
con_rings	Folder of range-ring outlines from a list or a start/interval/count series.
fishnet	Folder of rectangular grid cells from a corner; clickable, id-able.
hex_grid	Folder of tessellated hexagonal grid cells from a corner.
hex_field	Folder of hexagonal cells in a hexagon-shaped cluster of rings around a center; cells numbered outward from the center.
fresnel_zone	3D Fresnel-zone tube plus line-of-sight path for a point-to-point radio link.
cylinder	3D cylinder volume (or a frustum via top_radius); orientable along any axis.
cone	3D cone; apex or base anchored, orientable along any axis.
dome	3D hemisphere dome (or bowl when inverted).
sphere	3D sphere; anchor by center or a pole.
cube	3D cube or rectangular box.
pyramid	3D pyramid with an n-sided base.
soccer_ball	3D truncated icosahedron, two-tone.

Colors & Icons

Name colors and markers instead of hunting down hex tuples and icon URLs.

Function	Description
colors	Named color palette (colors.RED, or color="red").
icons	Built-in marker shorthands (icon="triangle", "red-paddle").