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May 07, 2008

Links: NBA Destination, EarthNC 2.0, Geo Education

• NBA Destination - The National Basketball Association and ESPN have commissioned a Google Earth visualization showing all kinds of NBA and basketball content including 3D models of stadiums, placemarks with trivia and history, and a few little basketball "easter eggs" (Tip: try looking to the east of Mt. Hood, Oregon after loading the KML). You can go to their fancy flash-based web site NBAEarth.com which includes a video introduction, or you can go straight to the KML file . Thanks to Anandaroop Roy, the author of the KML content, for telling me. This is a well done KML file with lots of interesting content.

• EarthNC 2.0 - EarthNC has celebrated their one year anniversary by releasing version 2.0 of their online and Plus versions of EarthNC electronic charts and other marine data for Google Earth. If you're a boater (particularly in US waters) you should definitely check out this fantastic resource of marine data. EarthNC has some of the best KML, and most thorough, content available for Google Earth. And, their rates are very reasonable, especially compared to other data providers in the marine industry.

• Google Geo Education - Google has released a new web site to help educators find their geospatial related educational tools and content I'm a little disappointed they don't highlight more examples of Google Earth content. But, they do have some interesting classroom ideas, and on that page they link to a post I did last September with more relevant links for educators.

Posted by FrankTaylor at 07:48 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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April 30, 2008

Rumor-mill: Google Ocean in the Works

According to CNET, Google is working on a new product rumored to be called "Google Ocean". Apparently Google invited a bunch of oceanography experts last December to discuss creating a 3D oceanographic map. And now, rumors are flying on what might result.

Ever since Google Earth was released in 2005, many people have wondered why the ocean floors seen in relief color were not in 3D. According to posts by some of its developers, part of the reason had to do the 3D model of GE not allowing sub-surface rendering. There have been rumors for a long time Google was planning to add 3D to the oceans and allow sub-surface rendering for Google Earth. So, would this new ocean-viewing capibility mean another new version of Google Earth? Google Earth 4.3 was just released two weeks ago - it seems unlikely we'd see something else new right away. Or is the capability to render ocean floors already built in to 4.3 and they just need to turn on new servers to make the oceans 3D? Or, will we have to wait several months before Google Ocean is released?

There are three approaches to making Google Ocean. First, as suggested above: modifying Google Earth's base terrain model to support ocean floor 3D data. This would be the best approach in my opinion. Keep it all in one application. Second, Google Ocean could be a different dataset like Google Sky where you switch to a different mode - connecting to a different server - still using the Google Earth application. Or, third, Google Ocean could be a whole new application. Hmm....

Google Earth's capability to overlay images and placemark data has already enabled oceanographers and other scientists to add many useful layers of information about our world's oceans. Here are just a few examples of useful marine visualizations for Google Earth:

• Sea Surface Temperature
• Coral Reef Base - a database on the condition of the world's reefs
• Ocean Weather Data Gulf and Western Atlantic
• US Nautical Charts in Google Earth - EarthNC has a ton of Google Earth content for boaters
• Scientific Ocean Drilling Database
• California Marine Protected Areas
• Cruise Ship Positions and Web Cams

Posted by FrankTaylor at 10:43 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

April 29, 2008

Google Earth for Pilots

This is part of a new series exploring Google Earth uses for different professions/hobbies.

If you're a pilot, there are many ways Google Earth can be used to really enhance your trip plans both from an aviation and ground-based perspective. But, Google Earth goes way beyond just trip planning as a tool for pilots. I'm a pilot myself, and have been using Google Earth to enhance my flying experiences for nearly three years.

Here are just a few ways you might use Google Earth as a pilot:

• Destination familiarization - Never been to your destination airport before? Zoom in to Google Earth, and most of the time you're likely to see high resolution satellite or aerial photos to help get you familiar with what the airport looks like. You should be aware that the photos can be an average 1 to 4 years old, so things may have changed since the photo was taken (just like charts). More importantly, since Google Earth is 3D, you can get a perspective on the lay of the land. It helps to know what the surrounding hills and valleys look like. Use the search function to help find businesses you need such as rental cars, hotels, restaurants, etc. You can also get driving directions and discover fun places to visit like beaches, amusement parks, museums, etc.
• Flight Simulator - Google Earth has a built-in flight simulator (tips on how to use). Only two types of planes are available (Cirrus SR-22 and an F16). It's not built for accuracy of flight, and the flight instrument simulation is kind of basic, so I wouldn't use this for flight training. It's intended to help give you a better perspective on the 3D terrain in Google Earth. It can also help give you a pilot's-eye view of your trip and help familiarize you with your planned approaches. Or, you can just use it because it's fun!
• Flight Planning - I typically use AirNav to plan an initial route (I really like the ability to plan a route with low-cost fuel stops). After planning a route, you can use Google Earth to visualize it. GE will recognize searches for four-letter airport designators (like KATL). You can even get full sectional charts for overlaying in Google Earth. You can also load the DAFIF Nav Aids database for the entire world into Google Earth so you can see your primary nav aids along your route (I haven't yet seen an intersections database for GE, but you could input placemark coordinates for them if you have them). And, check out Flyagogo, a Google Maps mashup which was designed for pilots
• Weather Planning - there are all kinds of weather tools for use with Google Earth (here's a collection of some of the best). These are not geared specifically towards aviators, but they can be another set of data until you get to your regular weather resources.
• Flight Review - Take a handheld GPS with you on your flights, and use Google Earth to visualize your flight afterwards. Download your GPS tracks to your PC. You can then view your GPS tracks in 3D (complete with altitudes) and see what things you flew over during your trip. Here's a post describing how I do this using a Garmin GPS and some other tools to enhance the track data.
• Sightseeing - If you're on a long trip, you might want to make sure you fly to or over some particular sight. Recently I missed seeing something really unique because I didn't check my planned flight for interesting sights. Next time I won't because I input a waypoint in my GPS to help remind me.
• Plane Afficionados - If you like planes, you might be interested to know that Google Earth not only shows houses, but also airplanes. And not just planes sitting on the tarmac, but planes captured flying around too. There are many plane aficionados using Google Earth to discover all kinds of planes. For example, look at this collection of DC-3s. Or, this frequently updated list of planes in flight. And, there are even folks who have simulated 3D flying like this Red Bull Air Race. You can also track airline flights in near-real-time in Google Earth.
• Aerial Photography - Maybe Google Earth will inspire you to become an aerial photographer. A year and a half ago, I had great fun flying over an air and space show in New Mexico and working with Google to put some aerial photos I took into Google Earth on the same day. That photo is now what you see if you look at the Las Cruces airport.
• Recreational Flying - If you're into paragliding/gliding, you should check out this paragliding forum which also provides resources for recording and viewing your tracks for Google Earth.

These and many other stories related to flying and Google Earth can be found in the Flying category of Google Earth Blog.

Posted by FrankTaylor at 09:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 28, 2008

Links: Science Uses, Compass, GM vs VE, Healthy Planet, and more

• Science Uses - Google Earth has been embraced by scientists in the fields of Paleotology and Archeology before. But, now - according to Anthropology.net - scientists have actually endorsed using GE for science in an academic, peer reviewed journal. Their paper appears in the Journal of Human Evolution in an article entitled: "Google Earth, GIS, and the Great Divide: A new and simple method for sharing paleontological data.”

• Compass - Barry Hunter has created a cool screen overlay to help you get a more accurate compass reading in GE 4.3.

• GM vs VE - Sean Gorman of Fortius One has posted an interesting comparison of KML support between Google Maps and Virtual Earth. The end result? Both have some shortcomings.

• Healthy Planet - Dr. Mark Mulligan, of Kings College in London (who has developed some great Google Earth content) has now formed a new environmental web site called: HealthyPlanet.org. HealthyPlanet.org will help make people aware of areas of the Earth needing environmental attention, and will enable people to volunteer help by becoming “Land Guardians” for a plot of land. Places needing attention will appear in maps using Google Maps or Google Earth. People visiting the site can become "armchair volunteers" by donating money. Donor can also get involved by helping map the areas using tool Dr. Mulligan has developed. Read more about the announcement.

• GPS Map Tool - Leszek has announced a really cool software tool which lets you upload maps or aerial photos to a Garmin handheld as fully viewable charts. They act just like your built-in charts. He's calling it Moagu (Mother of all GPS utilities). Sounds like a fun application, and I plan to give it a try.

• Mineral Resources - Valery Hronusov has been gathering and publishing another huge dataset. This time he is making available placemarks on mineral resources all over the world. You can see the many different KML files on mineral resources for different regions at his GISPlanet blog.

Posted by FrankTaylor at 08:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 24, 2008

How to Get 3D Buildings in Google Earth 4.3 Flight Simulator

Google apparently thought the 3D buildings in Flight Simulator mode would slow down performance for many computers. So, with the new Google Earth 4.3 beta (version 4.3.7191.6508) they automatically disable the 3D buildings layer when you turn on the Flight Simulator. As a pilot, and flight simulator fan, I really don't like this - and have sent multiple messages requesting Google re-enable the feature before 4.3 is finalized. Note: download Google Earth 4.3 if you haven't already.

The good news is that there is a work around to make the 3D buildings come on in GE 4.3's Flight Simulator. The process is just a bit of a pain, and you have to do it each time you start up the Flight Simulator. Here are the steps:

1. Enter Flight Simulator mode - Select "Tools->Enter Flight Simulator". Optional: fly to a city which has 3D buildings (tip: San Francisco, Baltimore, Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte - these all have lots of 3D buildings). NOTE: - there is a bug in GE 4.3 if you select the "Current View" option in the "Enter Flight Simulator" window, you may end up at an higher altitude than you expect upon starting the flight (much higher). Just fly back down to the city level.

2. Open the Sidebar - Sidebar shortcut - Press 'Ctrl + Alt + B' (or + Option + B' on the Mac) to bring up the sidebar

3. Turn on 3D Buildings - Turn these on in the Layers pane in the lower left after the sidebar opens.

4. Turn Off Sidebar - IMPORTANT - before resuming the flight simulator, turn off the sidebar by hitting the sidebar shortcut from step 2

5. Resume flight - Now you can resume flying the flight simulator by hitting the SPACE key and the 3D buildings should stay on for your current flight.

NOTE: - See GEB's Tips on Using Flight Simulator.

NOTE 2: If your machine doesn't have good performance with the 3D buildings, then you shouldn't try to fly with them turned on. I don't think Google should automatically turn off the layer though. Do you?

Google Earth 4.3 (beta) was released last week on April 15th (see GEB's first impressions). This new beta has some very nice new features like sun lighting, new navigation controls, better 3D building performance, and Street View imagery (see the video demonstration, and more details on the release).

Posted by FrankTaylor at 10:11 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

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More entries for this category:

6. New Contour Lines in Google Maps - April 03, 2008
7. Iditarod 2008 Dog Sled Race Live in Google Earth - March 10, 2008
8. Live Orbit Tracker in Google Earth - March 03, 2008
9. Links: SpaceNavigator Contest, Excel to KML, Google Geo Talk, Crysis - February 05, 2008
10. Real-Time Google Earth GPS Tracking - via Bus - February 02, 2008
11. Wrong Turn Down Google StreetView - January 27, 2008
12. New Layer Goodness for Google Earth - January 2008 - January 25, 2008
13. Navigation Gadget Tricks with Google Earth 4 - January 08, 2008
14. Top 10 New Google Earth Features 2007 - December 31, 2007
15. Top 25 Stories of Google Earth 2007 - December 27, 2007
16. Headed to San Francisco This Week - December 09, 2007
17. Earth at Night from Rosetta - November 21, 2007
18. Google Offers New Mapping Data for Switzerland - November 14, 2007
19. Links: Google at the Pump, Sigdoarjo Mud Flow, Boxing Champs, California Fire Costs, New Trees - November 09, 2007
20. X PRIZE Cup Photos Mapped - November 01, 2007
21. Trip Status, Links: PhotoOverlay tool, CIA World Factbook, Another BMNG - October 29, 2007
22. Links: Chinese Cop Catches Crook, Malibu Fire, EveryTrail Update, CIA WorldFactbook, Hungary Weather - October 22, 2007
23. Microsoft Virtual Earth Supports Basic KML and KML Searching - October 15, 2007
24. 2007 Wirefly X PRIZE Cup - October 08, 2007
25. Links: GE for scientists, Human body, Burma, Census Explorer, Virtual Earth, Cleanup Weekend - October 02, 2007
26. News Roundup: Poles Overlays, Rocket Garden, Army Topos, Astronomy, Roads - September 20, 2007
27. New Google Maps Moon Update - September 13, 2007
28. Back to School - Educational Uses with Google Earth - September 11, 2007
29. Flight Simulator HUD Display Guide, and an Advanced Tip - September 06, 2007
30. New Real-Time Traffic Layer in Google Earth - August 21, 2007
31. Virtual London Project Dead in the Water - August 08, 2007
32. Sailing with Google Earth for Navigation - August 06, 2007
33. India Maps - Local Knowledge Power - July 24, 2007
34. Encompassing the Globe - July 16, 2007
35. News Roundup: GE Design, Live Tour de France, PhotoSketch, Iran Nuclear Project - July 13, 2007
36. News Roundup - New GeoSearch, GeoWeb 2007, Traffic Gadget, Earthplot, Environmental Data - July 09, 2007
37. Google Maps New Additions for India and UAE - July 01, 2007
38. Google Maps Click and Drag Directions - Google Earth Tip - June 28, 2007
39. New Picasa Web Albums Integration with Google Earth/Maps - June 27, 2007
40. Google Earth Layer Changes - Geographic Web, Roads Layers - June 26, 2007
41. Google Adds Mapping to YouTube - What does it mean? - June 25, 2007
42. Tour de France 2007 in Google Earth - June 20, 2007
43. Google Transit in Google Earth - June 05, 2007
44. US Township and Range Land Survey Info for Google Earth - May 22, 2007
45. New Google Earth Layers Update: Amsterdam 3D, Forest Service, Taiwan Roads - May 17, 2007
46. Google Earth Umbrella - May 16, 2007
47. Having Fun with Google Earth and SpaceNavigator - May 10, 2007
48. Microsoft's Virtual Earth 3D - Video Demos - May 09, 2007
49. Possible "LOST" Island Locations in Google Earth - May 08, 2007
50. News Roundup 2 - Science Visualization, Netherlands GIS, Flu Map, Nokia SportsTracker - May 06, 2007
51. "If I Go in a Straight Line Around the Earth, Where do I Pass?" - May 03, 2007
52. Globe Glider Video Demonstration - May 02, 2007
53. News Roundup - Chile Border Crisis, Caribou, Gumball Rally, Emotions - April 30, 2007
54. New Google Maps: Russia, Turkey, Taiwan, Thailand, Croatia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Estonia - April 26, 2007
55. News Roundup: My Maps/YouTube, Nokia N95, Census, Arc2Earth, Show-n-Tell - April 13, 2007
56. More Roads, POI, 3D Buildings in Google Earth - April 12, 2007
57. My Maps - New Google Maps Update Supports Google Earth Features - April 05, 2007
58. 677 US Marine Charts for Google Earth on 1 CD - March 31, 2007
59. Dig a Hole Through Google Earth - March 16, 2007
60. News Roundup - Version stats, KML Editors, GooPs, Hey What's That? - March 15, 2007
61. US Migration Patterns in Google Earth - March 12, 2007
62. News Roundup: Google Earth Resume/CV, Google Maps Interface to BMW cars - March 07, 2007
63. New Video Demos of Latest 3D Buildings for Google Earth - February 26, 2007
64. Guatemala City Sinkhole Location Found in Google Earth - February 24, 2007
65. FedEx Pilots "Smart" Tracking with Google Earth - February 23, 2007
66. SpaceNavigator News: Fly Inside Demo, Security Checkpoints - February 22, 2007
67. More Details on New Layers/Updates - February 18, 2007
68. Australia Has Detailed Roads in Google Earth - February 17, 2007
69. Navigation Tricks with Google Earth 4 - January 31, 2007
70. Track Cruise Ships in 3D in Google Earth - January 22, 2007
71. Sundance Film Festival Map in Google Earth - January 17, 2007
72. Google Earth Blog World Headquarters - January 16, 2007
73. NOAA Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Weather Feed for Google Earth - January 13, 2007
74. Google Earth Layers - January 11, 2007
75. Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in Google Earth - December 27, 2006
76. Amazing Implementation of Marine Charts for Google Earth - December 21, 2006
77. Interesting Satellite Visualizations for Google Earth - December 15, 2006
78. Santa's Toy Hunt and Santa Tracker in Google Earth - December 13, 2006
79. Historical Maps - Now Viewable in Other Language Versions of Google Earth - December 11, 2006
80. Shipwreck - A Historical Documentary Including 3D in Google Earth - December 08, 2006
81. Trulia Adds Google Earth for Real Estate Searches - December 05, 2006
82. YouTube Demo of SpaceNavigator with Google Earth - November 28, 2006
83. Exciting New "3D Mouse" for Google Earth - The SpaceNavigator - November 27, 2006
84. Historical Maps for Denmark - November 26, 2006
85. Google Supports Geography Awareness Week - November 13, 2006
86. Nuclear Bombs in Google Earth - November 10, 2006
87. Route du Rhum - Live Sailing Race in Google Earth - November 01, 2006
88. Trip Report and News Roundup: Flight to Las Cruces, Sensors, BBC on Maps, New blog - October 18, 2006
89. US Forest Service Creates Google Earth Air Traffic Control - October 12, 2006
90. Plane Crashed into Building in New York - See Location in Google Earth - October 11, 2006
91. Flickr Geotagged Photo Statistics in Google Earth - September 28, 2006
92. GPSVisualizer Supports New Google Earth 4 Time Support - September 15, 2006
93. Google Earth 4 Time Feature Example - September 14, 2006
94. News Roundup: Tides, Scientific visualization, Geody, Movie Times - August 24, 2006
95. Ramses II Move Planned with Google Earth - August 23, 2006
96. Goggles - Google Maps Flight Simulator, Also: Google Earth Flying - August 08, 2006
97. Ping Pong Ball Interface to Google Earth - Cool! - July 30, 2006
98. My Backpacking Trip and the Lost Couple Found After Three Days - July 24, 2006
99. Battleship Google Earth - July 19, 2006
100. Bus Live Tracking at USC - Research Project - July 14, 2006
101. FSEarth 3.0 - MS Flight Simulator and Google Earth - July 08, 2006
102. Magnalox Provides Live Tracking Interface for Google Earth - July 07, 2006
103. Sailing Adventures and Anchorages of the Caribbean - July 01, 2006
104. Pete Goss in 2006 Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race - June 18, 2006
105. Watch a GPS Phone Being Delivered via UPS Live! - June 07, 2006
106. Pin in the Map - Keep it Simple - May 30, 2006
107. Unicycling for College Money - Track Max in Google Earth - May 28, 2006
108. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Points of Interest in Google Earth - May 26, 2006
109. Tour de France 2006 in Google Earth - May 25, 2006
110. Volvo Ocean Race Leg 7 in Google Earth - May 18, 2006
111. Juicy Geography Lesson on GPS - May 03, 2006
112. Tagzania - Powerful Google Maps/Google Earth Mashup - April 26, 2006
113. magnalox - New Features for Google Earth - April 25, 2006
114. Directions for Europe Now in Google Maps/Google Earth - April 24, 2006
115. Bowdoin College Campus - A Google Earth Map - April 22, 2006
116. Seattle 911 Live in Google Earth - April 18, 2006
117. Mini-News Roundup - April 17, 2006
118. Honda Releases Traffic System in Japan for Google Earth - April 04, 2006
119. Follow Volvo Ocean Race Leg 5 - April 03, 2006
120. GlobalFlyer Attempting Third World Record - March 15, 2006
121. Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 in Google Earth - March 10, 2006
122. Best Topo Map Interface for Google Earth - March 09, 2006
123. Bermuda Treasure Shipwrecks Map - March 07, 2006
124. FSPilot Connects FS2004 to Google Earth - February 26, 2006
125. Follow Volvo Ocean Race Leg 4 in Google Earth - February 19, 2006
126. Maps of Torino, Italy - Winter Olympics Site - in Google Earth - February 05, 2006
127. Arctic and Antarctic Ice Floes in Google Earth - January 25, 2006
128. Sundance Film Festival "Event Map" in Google Earth - January 24, 2006
129. Enhancement to GPSVisualizer for Google Earth - January 23, 2006
130. Endangered Frigatebird "Lydia" Tracked in Google Earth - January 21, 2006
131. Enhanced Road Layers for Google Earth - January 19, 2006
132. Transatlantic Sailing Adventure Using Google Earth - January 18, 2006
133. CIA World FactBook in Google Earth - January 13, 2006
134. Google Earth for Cars - January 07, 2006
135. Volvo Ocean Race Leg 2 - January 06, 2006
136. Globe Glider - Integrated Maps within Google Earth - January 03, 2006
137. Official Google Earth Santa Tracker - December 23, 2005
138. Santa's Route in Google Earth - December 21, 2005
139. Wilco Database of Concert Tours - December 14, 2005
140. Gone Sailing! Passage Plan in Google Earth - December 13, 2005
141. More GIS Data for Google Earth - December 01, 2005
142. Tracking Birds with Google Earth - November 25, 2005
143. Transat Jacques Vabre 2005 Race in Google Earth - November 16, 2005
144. Fantastic Google Earth Documentary on Sir Ernest Shackleton - November 14, 2005
145. Everything You Wanted to Know About Singapore - November 12, 2005
146. Another Sailor Documents Trips Using Google Earth - November 09, 2005
147. Lewis and Clark Expedition in Google Earth - November 08, 2005
148. MapLandia - Unique International Google Maps/Earth Website - November 02, 2005
149. GPS/Photo Tracks - RoboGEO v2.1 Supports Google Earth - October 31, 2005
150. New Satellite Photos for Pakistan - Kathryn Cramer - October 25, 2005
151. Hidden Logging in Tropical Forests Revealed - October 22, 2005
152. Magnalox - GPS Story Telling for Google Earth - October 19, 2005
153. View All the World Heritage Sites - October 13, 2005
154. Documenting a Recent Flying Trip - October 09, 2005
155. Aussie Crag Climbing - October 07, 2005
156. Garmin Buys MotionBased - October 04, 2005
157. Watching Sports with Google Earth - September 27, 2005
158. Tracking a Whale Shark in the Indian Ocean - September 24, 2005
159. Sailing the Seven Seas - September 10, 2005
160. Google Earth/Maps Helps with Archeological Discovery - September 07, 2005
161. City of Portland GIS - August 25, 2005
162. Geocaching Google Earth - August 15, 2005
163. Arizona Hiking Trip - August 10, 2005
164. Earth at Night - August 09, 2005
165. Flying - Keeping a Flight Log - August 05, 2005
166. Geotagged Flickr photos on the fly... - August 03, 2005

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