The guys from Eyebeam Research have been doing more cool things with OpenGLExtractor (OGLE). OGLE lets you extract 3D models from any OpenGL application. and you can convert the models and put them in Google Earth (see earlier writeup). They have printed off some of the 3D buildings from Google Earth on a Dimensions 3D printer. Here you see some 3D buildings in New York City, and the resulting “print”. The Eyebeam guys say in their blog they had to do a bit of manipulation to add floors to the bottoms of the models before they would print. Of course, OgleEarth mentioned this today. The 3D print made it in Make as well. Read this to learn how to see 3D buildings on top of the satellite photos in Google Earth.
About Frank Taylor
Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.