I'm interested in applying to create an KML - SVG converter. KML and SVG are
similar enough that it makes sense for there to be a way to convert from one to
the other.
 
My plan would be:
 
From now until the end of week 1 or 2: Study both formats and work-out the
equivalents between KML and SVG. I know there are features of KML - namely,
placemark descriptions, which will not convert directly to SVG. There are
probably other features too. I'll try to deal with these in any time I have
remaining at the end. I'll also need to work out a way to convert the
coordinates systems, and deal with sizing the image - using the KML coordinates,
the image would be very small, in a very large document.
 
Then, develop a command-line app that will actually do the conversion. I'll be
using C++. I haven't decided on an XML library yet - any suggestions?
* Plan the structure of the program.
* Focussing first on KML -> SVG, gradually add tags to convert, and check they
work correctly.
* Once KML -> SVG works, add SVG -> KML. Should be a case of reversing the
existing conversion functions.
* Write some usage documentation.
 
Once the command-line program is working, I'll start on giving it a GUI. I can't
seem to find anything about what UI library Inkscape itself uses - can anybody
tell me? It would be better to use the same one, to make maintenance easier. The
GUI will send commands to the command-line program, to keep the two separate,
and so that Inkscape itself can use the command-line one at some point if
needed.
* Design the UI.
* Implement it.
* Write some user documentation.
 
Deliverables:
* A command line program that can convert SVG to KML, and back, successfully.
* (Probably) A GUI to go with the command-line program.
 
If I get time:
* Allow importing/exporting as KML from within Inkscape.
* Find ways of handling 'placemark' KML elements, and any others that do not
convert easily to SVG, so that a user can convert to SVG, edit, and convert
back, without losing anything. Possibly by including hidden elements in the SVG,
or using comments.
 
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Is this a decent plan? Is there anything I've missed?
 
~Samuel Atkins