Manually Trace an Image using Google Earth Pro Litchi Utilities Logo

The fist step in creating a light painting with a drone is to identify an image and convert its outline into a waypoint mission. This is most easily done by finding a suitable SVG image of the light painting to be created and then use an SVG to Waypoint converter. However, if an SVG file cannot be found or if that conversion process is not producing satisfactory result, the image can be traced manually using Google Earth Pro.

This is a step-by-step guide to manually trace any image using Google Earth Pro.


Sample of image to be traced

Step 1: Obtain an image representing the shape to be traced and painted.

Although any image will work, a line drawing would be most suitable for this step. When searching, using the term "drawing" helps to narrow down the search results to only include appropriate images. For example, this sample image was found using the search string "roadrunner drawing". Once and image is found, save it to your computer.


Image displayed as an Image Overlay in Google Earth Pro

Step 2: Import the image as an "Image Overlay" in Google Earth Pro

The image to be traced needs to be imported as an "Image Overlay" in Google Earth Pro. Once the following steps have been completed, you should have the image overlayed similar to what is shown on the right.

  1. Navigate to the desired flight location in Google Earth Pro. A good location might be a large empty field or a lake.
  2. Select "Add Image Overlay" from the toolbar at the top of Google Earth Pro.
    Google Earth Toolbar
  3. Browse to the image downloaded in step 1.
  4. Set the transparency slider to an appropriate value, perhaps around 50%.
  5. Use the image overlay controls to adjust the image to the proper size and location. Since the image will be rotated around the X-axis (Longitude-axis) make sure the Google Earth view is oriented with "North" pointing up. Size the image so that when rotated up, the flight path will not exceed flight limitations in your country (usually 400 ft or 120 meters).
    • NOTE: It is recommended to size your image in conjunction with using the "Ruler" tool. The height of the image will correspond to the height the drone will need to fly.
    • TIP: When resizing the image in Google Earth Pro, hold down the shift key so that the image aspect ratio is maintained.
  6. Select "OK".

Image with path drawn around the perimeter

Step 3: Create a path around the outline of the image

At this point you will need to open the "Add Path" tool and manually draw an outline around the subject matter in the image. You may start the path anywhere you want. Keep in mind that the starting point is where the drone will begin the mission once the path is rotated vertically.

Add Path Icon

There are ways to modify, append, insert, and delete points in the path.

  • Append: Left-click in a new location to append a new point.
  • Modify: Left-click on an existing point and drag. This point now becomes the current point.
  • Delete: Left-click on an existing point to select it. Right-click anywhere to delete the selected point.
  • Insert: Left-click on an existing point to select it. Left-click in a new location to insert a new point after the selected point.

Also, while it is possible to click and drag a path, it is recommented to place every point by clicking instead. The dragging method produces too many points that will be too close together.

TIP: If the path was manually created in Google Earth Pro, it may be desirable to temporarily uncheck the "Terrain" checkbox in the "Layers" section on the left while drawing a path around the image.


Outline displayed as a Litchi Mission

Step 4: Save the path and import it into Litchi

Once the path has been completely drawn in Google Earth Pro, you may save it as a KML file.

  1. Locate the path in the menu on the left of Google Earth Pro. The name will be "Untitled Path" unless you changed the default name when creating it.
  2. Right-click on the name and choose "Save Place As...".
  3. Change the "Save as type:" setting to "KML".
  4. Save it with the name of your choice.
  5. Import this KML file into Litchi's Mission Hub using the "Import" menu item.
    • NOTE: Do not check either of the "Treat Views as Waypoint" or the "Add Take Photo Action" options.
  6. Export this mission from Litchi's Mission Hub using the "Export as CSV" menu item.

At this point you are ready to continue to the next step in the light painting process.

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by Wes Barris