Google Earth can be used to customize the look of shape file waypoint icons that are presented within ForeFlight. You can choose to customize all the icons at once or individually. To do so, you will need the downloadable version of Google Earth. The web version of Google Earth will not work for icon customization.
Customizing all waypoint icons with the same attributes
Step 1. In the "Places" section of the Google Earth screen, right-click on file name you are using and select GET INFO.
Image 1. Right-click on the file name and select GET INFO.
Step 2. From the pop-up, select STYLE, COLOR and then SHARE STYLE.
Image 2. Select STYLE, COLOR and then SHARE STYLE.
Step 3. On the next page, the upper right-hand corner shows the current icon being used. Click on the icon to change the icon.
Image 3. Click on the icon to get to the style selector.
Step 4. Select which style you prefer. Not all icons will transfer to ForeFlight. Supported icons are depicted below.
Image 4. Choose your supported style of icon.
Step 5. If a custom icon is desired, select ADD CUSTOM ICON at the bottom of the menu and locate your custom icon from your computer. For best results, custom icons should be a PNG image with a transparent background. When using a custom icon, your map layer must be saved as a KMZ file.
Image 5. Adding a Custom Waypoint Icon is possible with KMZ files
Step 6. Once the selections are complete, click OK to close the customization window and select OK on the next window.
Image 6. Customized icons are now presented.
Step 7. In the "Places" section of the Google Earth screen, right-click on file name and select SAVE PLACE AS. Save the file as a KML file or KMZ if you used a custom icon.
Image 7. Save the file as a KML or KMZ file.
Step 8. Import the file into ForeFlight using this article:
How do I import User Map Shapes or KML Shape files?
Customizing waypoint icons with different attributes
Step 1. In the "Places" section of the Google Earth screen, expand your file to show all the waypoints in it.
Image 1. Expand your file to show the waypoint names.
Step 2. From the list, find the waypoint you want to customize. Right-click on the waypoint and select GET INFO.
Image 2. Right-click on the waypoint you want to edit and select GET INFO.
Step 3. In the new window, the upper right-hand corner shows the current icon being used. Click on the icon to change the icon.
Image 3. Click on the icon to get to the style selector.
Step 4. Select which style you prefer. Not all icons will transfer to ForeFlight. Supported icons are depicted below.
Image 4. Choose your supported style of icon.
Step 5. At the top of the icon customization window, you can change the color, scale, and opacity of the icon.
Image 5. Color, scale, and opacity can be set at the top of the customization window.
Step 6. Click OK to close the customization window and select OK on the next window.
Image 6. Customized icon is now presented.
Step 7. Edit the other waypoint icons repeating the steps above.
Step 8. In the "Places" section of the Google Earth screen, right-click on file name and select SAVE PLACE AS. Save the file as a KML file or KMZ if custom icons are used.
Image 7. Save the file as a KML or KMZ file.
Step 9. Import the file into ForeFlight using this article:
How do I import User Map Shapes or KML Shape files?
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