KMZ/KML Mission Conversion & Compatibility
Quick answers to the questions we see most often in drone forums and support emails.
We primarily work with KML and KMZ files. KMZ is a ZIP archive that usually contains a KML file plus optional resources. For DJI Pilot 2 missions, the KMZ must include wpmz/waylines.wpml and template.kml. Tools for Drones can parse KML polygons, waypoint paths, and DJI Pilot 2 KMZ mission archives.
No. DJI Fly (used by Mavic, Mini, Air, etc.) and DJI Pilot 2 / FlightHub 2 (enterprise) use different mission formats, safety checks, and aircraft model codes. A KMZ that works on Pilot 2 will not import into DJI Fly. For consumer drones, you normally need a third-party app or a tool like Litchi that can import KML waypoints.
Common reasons include: missing waylines.wpml, unsupported template.wpml, wrong aircraft/payload model codes, extra styling or metadata tags, unsupported height modes, or a file that was re-zipped incorrectly. Our converters strip the unsupported elements and re-pack the KMZ with the expected structure, but you should always verify the mission on the controller before flight.
Google Earth Pro KMLs usually contain polygon or line coordinates but not DJI waypoint actions. Use the KML Converter to extract polygons and create DJI Pilot 2 compatible KML files. For waypoint missions, you generally need to draw the route in a compatible mission planner (DJI Pilot 2, Litchi, etc.) or import a coordinates list that the planner can turn into waypoints.
template.kml contains the overall mission definition: aircraft type, payload, global settings, takeoff height, and a high-level route. waylines.wpml contains the actual waypoint list with coordinates, heights, speeds, headings, and actions such as startRecord, stopRecord, hover, and gimbal control. Both files must be consistent for a mission to import correctly.
A mapping mission is built from transects with photo triggers, while a video waypoint mission needs start/stop recording actions and usually different gimbal pitch. Tools for Drones does not offer this conversion today, but you can build a new waypoint mission from the same boundary or manually edit the waylines.wpml to swap photo actions for video record actions.
DJI Pilot 2 normally uses ALT (relative to takeoff point) or ASL (above sea level). True AGL requires terrain follow or a third-party planner. If you need a different height mode, convert or recreate the mission in the correct mode before import; simply editing the text value may not make the drone follow terrain correctly. Always verify the absolute height values on the controller map.
Yes, a KMZ is just a ZIP archive. Rename it to .zip, extract the contents, edit template.kml and/or wpmz/waylines.wpml, then re-compress the files with the same internal structure. The archive must be renamed back to .kmz. Be careful with XML namespaces, action IDs, and aircraft/payload codes; small mistakes will stop the file from importing.
Litchi can export CSV/KML waypoints, and QGroundControl can export KML/Plan files. These formats do not match the DJI Pilot 2 KMZ structure. You typically need to import the coordinates into a DJI-compatible planner, or manually build a DJI Pilot 2 KMZ with the correct template.kml and waylines.wpml structure. Tools for Drones focuses on KML/KMZ workflows for DJI Pilot 2.
A green Go button only means the file imported. The mission may still fail if takeoff altitude is invalid, the aircraft/payload model does not match, a waypoint is too far from the home point, altitude mode is unsupported, or a safety zone is breached. Check the DJI Pilot 2 error message, confirm the aircraft model in the mission matches your drone, and verify waypoint heights and distances.
Use the Area Splitter to cut a polygon into separate areas, each saved as its own KML. For waypoint missions, use the Mission Splitter to divide a large mission into smaller segments that stay within DJI Pilot 2 limits. Each segment can be assigned to a different drone, and our Dashboard can store related files under one parent mission.
First, check the How To Use guides for the tool you used. If the file still fails on the controller, use the Support button in the header to send details. Include the original file, the converted file, the drone model, and the exact error message. Never share sensitive flight locations publicly.