Brian Cassil Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 Some time ago there was a discussion on the forums here of how to bring 3D models from google Earth into our visualizations. I ran into a dead end with that then but recently found something even better. Many of you are probably aware of this already but I recently discovered the 3D Google warehouse. Basically, people upload their content from sketchup onto the warehouse which can then be linked to via the '3D Warehouse Network Link' in Google Earth. So, if you need some models of downtown Chicago you can browse to there via google earth find the icons via the '3D Warehouse Network Link', click on it and download the model to sketchup. Then export from sketchup to your favorite 3D rendering app. It's fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 My son makes heavy use of that site. I'll have to give it a look myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Eloy Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 It's a very nice concept. Of course, many models available there are "low-quality", i.e., simply mass models of buildings, etc. But, if you look careful, you can find also some pretty good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tajfun Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Cool thanks for information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisHolland Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Google should invest in I-Drop for their warehouse... Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted September 5, 2006 Author Share Posted September 5, 2006 It's a very nice concept. Of course, many models available there are "low-quality", i.e., simply mass models of buildings, etc. But, if you look careful, you can find also some pretty good stuff. Yes, indeed. But also remember that it's still very young and there is already quite a large library. As time roles on the quality will continue to improve and who knows, maybe google will start too only include the models of highest quality (maybe even at different poly counts) for the stuff they have. Or perhaps a rating system. Either way, like you said the concept is what's exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Eloy Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 You know, I was wondering about that (a rating system). Of course, Google will never be able to divide the models they receive, but users can do that. For example, my parents are now on a trip to Europe and I wanted to show them distances and nice attractions using Google Earth. I had to download 4 (!) Eiffel Tower models until I found a good one. If we could rate the models, the next guy to look for the same model would know how good (or bad) it is and download exactly what he/she wants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeraldH Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Nelson Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 I'm running into some trouble trying to get a 3d city model. I tried the 3d warehouse, but that seems to be just random buildings and not the entire cities. We were going to buy Google Pro and the Movie plugin, but there is no way to control camera movement, or create paths. There is no flexibility in the tours and does not work when moving in close distances. Are there any other resources for getting good 3d cities relatively inexpensively? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 Are there any other resources for getting good 3d cities relatively inexpensively? I don't know if this will help in any way... http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/14436-opengl-extractor-early-beta.html Otherwise, no, no relatively inexpensive way to get city models. There are some random ones floating around the net (which cities are you looking for, by the way?) and maybe Sanborne will sell theirs (which seem to be the basis for the Google Earth models) or you can contact Earth data in NYC, but inexpensive? I suppose there could be an open-resource attempt to put together models, but that would take quite a while and quality could be all over the map (no pun intended, though one reared its ugly head despite my best intentions). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Nelson Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 Have you tried that yet? It looks cool if it really does work. In the meantime, I think I found something that should work. Thanks to the City of Boston who is hosting the 3d files for free. It's going to be a pretty large max file, but at this point I am not complaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 City of Boston Oh, I think I have that one, from doing a project there. If it's the same it is a big file, but usable. I don't know how up-to-date it is. From a few recent visits it seems like Boston is a WIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilky9 Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 I've just finished a 3 month project coordinating a group modeling effort to build downtown Colorado Springs in 3D. We worked with the lead modelers at Google (formerly @Last Software) and now believe we have the most complete texture mapped city available. There are others of course that are more complete, ie. New York and Chicago, but ours is textured. The main issue we faced was keeping the models small enough that many of them could be downloaded quickly and not require a "super computer" to run. I made a Network Link that would take you to Colorado Springs and show all of the models available for download, but I think the network links make Google Earth kind of unstable and the models hard to download, so I have stopped using them. The easiest way to get the models is to go to 3D Warehouse and search for AIA Colorado South Let me know if you have any questions about this project or the process. I also have some documents from Google that I could pass along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris erskine Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 how did you model colorado springs? did you use sketchup or a photogrammetry method? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilky9 Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 All Sketchup, cameras, and a lot of guess work! Once you come to terms with the fact that the models are not going to be completely accurate (hard for the architects to deal with) then it becomes an issue of making them "look right." Especially in relation to the surrounding buildings. The work done for Fayetteville, AR is pretty impressive, too. I think they might have the most complete city now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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