KML, IIS, Google Maps, and ArcCatalog
Trying to add a KML layer to a Google map should not be this hard. Firstly, it would be nice if the Google Maps API didn't just silently fail when trying to load the layer. There was no indication in the network traffic that anything was amiss, mainly because loading the layer happens on the Google side, not the client side. Secondly, if you're running IIS you need to add KMZ and KML MIME types. IIS will return a 404 if an unknown MIME type is requested. KMZ uses 'application/vnd.google-earth.kmz' and KML uses 'application/vnd.google-earth.kml+xml'. Thirdly, [validate your KML](http://www.kmlvalidator.com/home.htm). Invalid KML just causes Google Maps to silently fail to load the KML layer. Finally, if using the Layer To KML tool in ArcCatalog, make sure to turn OFF the 'Clamped features to ground' option. Turning it on will create an invalid KML file for Google Maps.












