« Links: Star Viewer, Green Screen, World Hockey, European Pollution, Golden Shadow | Main | Video Tutorials for Google Earth »
January 30, 2008
Portugal's Marvão in 3D in Google Earth
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned how a town in Ireland was added to the 3D Buildings layer in Google Earth. Google is constantly adding models of buildings created by people all over the world into this layer. So, each time the layer gets updated there are lots of interesting things added. A GEB reader sent me a tip that the beautiful mountain-top town and forts of Marvão, Portugal (here's an article about the town) has been rendered with an excellent collection of 3D models. To see it, follow this placemark 
(which will take you to the location of Marvão - which shows a cloudy satellite photo - don't worry). Next turn on the 3D Buildings layer in the lower left of Google Earth. This will cause Google Earth to load the 3D buildings of the area you are looking at.
Whoever created these models (anyone know who did this?) did an excellent job by first creating a 3D terrain model which has a better aerial photo overlayed. The buildings are done with great care - obviously using photo textures, and there are also many little details such as pedestals, sign posts, and more. If you don't have a SpaceNavigator (which makes it really easy to fly around 3D models), try watching this video tutorial on moving around in Google Earth. Don't forget to try holding down the middle mouse button to move around.
Also, to see more of this town from a tourist perspective, just turn on the Geographic Web layer to see placemarks showing dozens of photos taken by people visiting the site. Both the 3D models and the photos make you want to visit this place.
Related stories:
- Google Releases 3D Buildings Layer
- Turning Torso Building in 3D
- London Eye 3D Animation
- 3D Roundup: King Tut, Grand Canyon Skywalk, Google Solar Panels
- Retouching 3D in Google Earth
- GEB 3D Models Category
Posted by FrankTaylor at January 30, 2008 09:15 AM
Comments
Posted by: Oscar Sousa Marques at January 30, 2008 09:30 PM
It looks great. Must be a lot of work.
Posted by: Gerard at February 2, 2008 02:48 AM
I made a short video showing off these cool buildings. Here it is:
Posted by: Mickey at February 4, 2008 03:24 PM
Hopefully, Google will find it interesting enough to update the sat pics.
Posted by: Carlos at February 8, 2008 09:23 PM
Where is the 3D model now? Can't find it in Google Earth v. 4.3.
Posted by: Rolf Steinar at April 20, 2008 05:30 AM
"Where is the 3D model now? Can't find it in Google Earth v. 4.3. "
the same here.... gone :(
Posted by: nuno at April 30, 2008 08:43 PM
Post a comment:
NOTE: Please use English. Comments are moderated.
The company that developed the model is 3D Cities (www.3dcities.com), a Lisbon-based IT developer. They are also developing a model for Macau, China.