Community Google Earth 3D Project

[Thorn]

Today, I took part in the initial part of an interesting community project that is taking place both in the real life community and online. Two towns in Vermont, Essex and Shelburne, will be using volunteers to put our towns on the map in 3D. A local GIS expert by the name of Gary Smith of Green Mountain GeoGraphics, Ltd conceived the project and has attracted official interest from Google.

Here's how it will work: The volunteers will each replicate ten existing historic and/or commercial buildings in 3D using Sketchup. These building will then be reviewed and placed into Google Earth's official 3D building data. Upon completing 10 building each, each volunteer will receive a license for Google Earth Pro.

The Town of Shelburne volunteers (of which I'm one) were trained today in how to use Google Earth, Sketchup and and some photo tools.

We'll have to see if Google runs with it in other places, but so far two other towns (one in Massachusetts, and one in Washington state) are also doing the same project.

An article in the Burlington Free Press (the local paper) had an article about it last week:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/a...709200303/1007

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Community Google Earth 3D Project

We'll have to see if Google runs with it in other places, but so far two other towns (one in Massachusetts, and one in Washington state) are also doing the same project.

That could go a long way toward explaining Arizona State's MyWorld project. The questionnaire (which is for ASU students and faculty only) focuses on 3D modelling and the creation of content for projects such as Second Life.

And now that I've fallen victim to Google's private-project-means-free-advertising ploy I feel dirty and have to go wash myself.

[Thorn]

Re: Community Google Earth 3D Project

And now that I've fallen victim to Google's private-project-means-free-advertising ploy I feel dirty and have to go wash myself.

Yeah, there is some of that, but this should benefit the local community, by giving local attractions and businesses free advertisements. Each building is supposed to have their name, website, phone number, etc., all displayed on a pop-up when the building is clicked. All-in-all, I think this project is more of a benefit than just free ads for Google, or wouldn't have gotten involved with it.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Community Google Earth 3D Project

All-in-all, I think this project is more of a benefit than just free ads for Google, or wouldn't have gotten involved with it.

I'm not criticizing the project since it obviously has some potential. I was merely commenting on the fact that Google having open-secret projects and private services seems to be an unusually effective technique of getting people to discuss those services. I'm also impressed with their ability to capitalize on public support.

Do you know how this compares (from a 3D building perspective) to Microsoft's offering? I was under the impression that Microsoft was using actual photography (including camera trucks) to create the 3D building model, but perhaps SketchUp can do the same thing? Or do you perhaps create the building framework in SketchUp and then layer photographs over the top?

I'm just curious. It might be an interesting motivation to experiment with 3D modelling. I wonder how long it will take before CAD teachers begin assigning homework based on which buildings have yet to be mapped...

[Thorn]

Re: Community Google Earth 3D Project

I'm not criticizing the project since it obviously has some potential. I was merely commenting on the fact that Google having open-secret projects and private services seems to be an unusually effective technique of getting people to discuss those services. I'm also impressed with their ability to capitalize on public support.

Understood. I myself am rather critical of "free" projects that are little more than advertising campaigns.

Do you know how this compares (from a 3D building perspective) to Microsoft's offering? Do you know how this compares (from a 3D building perspective) to Microsoft's offering? I was under the impression that Microsoft was using actual photography (including camera trucks) to create the 3D building model, but perhaps SketchUp can do the same thing?

No idea on how Microsoft's project will work really. I've heard the same thing, although even if it's completely automated, I suspect that it will be some years before MS gets around to mapping places where the population of the largest city is only 40,000 and the total "metro" area population is only 120,000. (The total population for the whole state of Vermont is only about 650,000.)

Or do you perhaps create the building framework in SketchUp and then layer photographs over the top?

This is exactly how it's with Sketchup. A 3D framework is constructed out of geometric shapes, and is built to real world coordinates. You then apply textures derived from photographs on the framework's exterior planes. Sketchup does include many basic textures for siding, doors, windows, etc. But a photograph of the real thing is best if it's at all possible.

It's also interesting to see how the eye is fooled into seeing a lot more detail than what's actually in the framework, when the correct photos are applied. You can many times skip framing out some details such as say shallow eves if you have a good enough photograph.

I'm just curious. It might be an interesting motivation to experiment with 3D modelling. I wonder how long it will take before CAD teachers begin assigning homework based on which buildings have yet to be mapped...

That's a good question. In some ways this would be a great project for a CAD class.

I'll also tell you that the youngest person in our class was a kid about 12 or 13. He also had the best setup. While the adults were using run of the mill laptops, his consisted of a laptop/tablet with a twist display and a 19" external monitor. He was sketching with on the tablet surface and looking at the exterior photographs of the building on the external monitor.