On October 1, Google quietly added 10 new US cities to the Google Earth 3D Buildings layer. Each of the cities has up to hundreds of new photorealistic buildings. The 10 new cities join another nearly 20 other cities around the world in Google Earth which have a large percentage of the buildings completed with photorealistic textures. There are also a couple of dozen cities which have untextured 3D buildings. There are hundreds of other cities in Google Earth which have notable buildings completed which have been submitted to the Google 3D Warehouse by people around the world. And, you can find 3D renderings of many other notable structures around the world like the Golden Gate Bridge, Stonehenge, Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Pyramids of Giza, and much more. I pretty much fly around in Google Earth with the 3D Buildings layer turned on all the time now.
Google has just posted more details about their 3D buildings layers and details on how you can get your city included in Google Earth’s 3D layer. There is even a special Cities in 3D program which encourages city planners to share their data with Google so they can help render your city in photorealistic detail.
I was surprised Google didn’t mention the ten new cities they added on October 1st. There still not been an official recognition of the new additions. Why are they waiting I wonder?
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.
I am sure I saw the new buildings in Chicago before October 1.
I can’t wait for the day when all cities are 3D.
I had fun crusing around McMinnville, TN. I love the nice touches like the sign at the Hardees. I was hoping one of the gas stations had signs so I could see a price… 🙂
i’m curious when google will add the 3D data from the street view cars to google earth;_) that data is much more precise than any data that has been collected until now…
it should show in detail trees, parked cars and small details on house, gardens… the SICK laser scanner are good for a 50m (150ft) around the google cars equipped with them… (not all street view cars have the latest hardware…)
The GE team should add optional and subtile bump map effects. Also for the satellite pictures. It could add realism.