Official Google SketchUp Blog: Modeling for the Ocean layer in Google Earth

If you've been following the blog, you saw the tour of 3D models under the ocean for the Google Earth 5.0 launch. With the SketchUp maintenance software that released yesterday, you too can model your very own underwater world! The first thing you'll have to do is to download the latest version of SketchUp here. Once installed, a few simple options in SketchUp enable you to select whether your model is above or below the water:

1. Go to 'Window' then 'Preferences'
2. Choose 'Extensions' in the left column
3. Toggle on 'Google Earth Ocean Modeling'
4. Hit OK

This will give you the option to place your model wherever you want it. Next import your desired terrain from Google Earth by finding the area you want and choosing 'Get Current View' in SketchUp. Underwater terrain will import just like above water terrain. It's easy to lose your sense of scale in the ocean, and if you get a warning that reads 'Camera altitude too high...' just move closer to the ocean floor. With your terrain imported into SketchUp, you can start your model.

Once complete, decide whether your model will be on the ocean floor or on the surface. You can find that option under the 'Plugins' menu. If you're modeling on the land, or wish to model on the surface of the water, toggle it off, like this:

If you're modeling under the surface of the water, toggle it on, like this:

If you want your model to be somewhere in-between the ocean floor and the surface of the water, simply choose 'Model on Ocean Floor' and place your model above the terrain:

Last, view your model in Google Earth by choosing 'Place model', and see how it looks. If you are satisfied, load your model onto the 3D Warehouse by selecting 'Share Model' and it may show up in the 3D Buildings layer. The same terms that apply to buildings on land also apply to underwater models. Your submissions must be real, accurate, and correctly located. There are lots of opportunities for geo-located models underwater; ship wrecks, diver destinations and offshore structures! Don't forget to fill out the appropriate information on the upload page, and to check 'Google Earth ready'. And that's it! Piece of cake. Sponge cake.

Posted by Adam Hecht, 3D Data Specialist

A dynamic menorah for Hanukkah

Today's the first day of Hanukkah, and I thought it might be nice to build something to celebrate the holiday. I modeled a dynamic menorah which you can download from the 3D Warehouse and work on yourself -- it isn't finished.

I set it up so that you can click on a candle base to add or subtract a candle, and click on a candle to light or extinguish it. You use the Interact tool (Tools > Interact) to click on things. Here's what it looks like so far, but please feel free to go ahead and design the rest of the menorah however you like:


Have fun, and happy holidays!

Posted by Aidan Chopra, Product Evangelist

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Case Study: Blach Construction Learn more about using Scenes Gingerbread architecture for all A new spin on 3D

Case Study: Blach Construction

More and more construction firms are using SketchUp Pro to help them visualize and communicate the 3D aspects of their work. Blach Construction, based in California, is one such firm. They've been kind enough to furnish us with a description of how they use SketchUp:

Blach Construction Company has utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM) for almost 3 years and includes Google SketchUp as part of our modeling program because it provides a variety of tools to create quick, 3D building models that assist our teams during each phase of the construction process.

Accessibility. Blach Construction was initially drawn to SketchUp because it creates quick, interactive virtual models that allow our clients and construction partners to visualize projects in 3D, as opposed to traditional 2D plans.

Instant Value. Our engineers learned SketchUp quickly and were able to use it immediately. SketchUp's modeling tools are intuitive, allowing our teams to easily create models and custom objects like plumbing fixtures for use in other BIM programs.

Blach Construction relies on 3D modeling to assist our teams throughout the construction process. Utilizing a range of tools, our teams create SketchUp models to:

• Ensure accurate bidding. In conjunction with other modeling programs, SketchUp models assist our subcontractors' understanding of a project's scope, thereby increasing their confidence in the project and the accuracy of their estimates.

• Aid constructability. SketchUp models assist our constructability reviews and create a deeper understanding of complex building and structural systems. The ability to quickly generate virtual models that produce volumes and areas, help our construction teams generate accurate material take offs and the opportunity to identify and prevent significant design issues that may otherwise lead to setbacks during construction.

New Middle School Multi-Use Building, Concrete Footings

• Promote job site safety. SketchUp assists Blach Construction in creating safe, productive building environments and helps to reduce construction costs by equipping projects with the correct safety systems and fall protection plans. Using SketchUp, our project teams can quickly assess possible safety risks and evaluate a variety of safety solutions, reducing potential hazards and ensuring a safe job site.

New Animal Care Facility, Zoned Safety Analysis Plan

SketchUp makes 3D modeling accessible to all parties involved in the construction process. Working from a shared platform of knowledge, SketchUp provides our projects and teams with:

• A shared vision. The use of 3D modeling ensures that Blach Construction and our clients and construction partners see the same project, increasing collaboration and effective communication. As a result of sharing the same vision, all parties involved experience enhanced coordination, substantial cost and time savings and greater satisfaction.

Performing Arts Center

• Enhanced client involvement. SketchUp's 3D models are easy to understand, and clients, and other decision-makers that may lack technical knowledge, can more easily understand the construction process when it is presented via 3D. With a better understanding of their project, clients are more involved and informed during project planning and throughout the course of construction.

New Animal Care Facility

• Increased communication. Throughout the course of construction, our clients, project teams, subcontractors and architects can easily review the virtual models and walkthroughs created in SketchUp. This enables clear communication between clients and construction partners, and results smooth-running projects.

• Marketing opportunities. As an added advantage to employing SketchUp's 3D modeling, clients have the opportunity to promote their project prior to its completion, presenting their model to boards, agencies, investors, and the communities, to gain support or to mitigate concern.

By enabling clients, architects, engineers and contractors to utilize 3D modeling, as opposed to traditional 2D plans, SketchUp aides us in building projects more safely and cost effectively, and provide our clients with powerful marketing opportunities. SketchUp enables Blach Construction to deliver greater value to our clients while also enhancing the overall construction experience for everyone involved.

Blach Construction Company has been building structures of enduring quality and value throughout Northern and Central California for 38 years. Blach's experience encompasses a broad cross-section of commercial, industrial and institutional building types, including education, healthcare, technology, life sciences, professional services and civic/community facilities. The company is also a leader in sustainable construction and historic preservation.

Update We included the entire text of the case study to save you a click.

Posted by Chris Dizon, SketchUp Sales Manager

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Learn more about using Scenes Gingerbread architecture for all A new spin on 3D For professionals, by (SketchUp) professionals

Learn more about using Scenes

I just finished a video about using Scenes to create animations, walk-throughs and fly-throughs of your models. I also talk a little bit about working with Scenes and Sections to create animated section cuts -- definitely one of the most impressive things you can do to present your work. Check it out:


Posted by Tyson Kartchner, Training Guru

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Case Study: Blach Construction Eric Schmidt talks technology and the economy on "Meet the Press" Modeling for Google Earth is now easier

Gingerbread architecture for all

Gingerbread architecture for all

Chilly weather, hot chocolate, holiday celebrations... I'm proud to kick off our sweetest SketchUp modeling challenge ever: the first annual Google SketchUp Gingerbread House Design Competition. To make it a little easier to design the gingerbread house of your dreams, I modeled a blank house to get you started. Go ahead and download it from the 3D Warehouse, then follow the instructions in the file.


I also built a selection of decorations (candy canes, gumdrops, wafer roof tiles) that you can use to spiff up your model. Of course, you're welcome to do anything you like; it's your masterpiece. When you're finished, don't forget to label your gingerbread house with the tag "gingerbread2009" and upload it to the 3D Warehouse. The competition deadline is January 4th at midnight, Pacific Standard Time.

This undertaking is all about having fun with SketchUp, so the prizes will be glory based. (What did you expect: a gingerbread flat-screen TV?) We'll award the following prizes, and announce the winners here and on the Official Google Blog about a week after the competition closes on January 4th.

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place – for the best overall gingerbread houses in the collection
• The 'Sprinkles' Prize – for the best additions to the base model (the crazier, the better)
• The 'Swirl' Prize – for the best use of Dynamic Components in the model
• The 'Sweet-tooth' Prize – for the most creative use of a single candy ingredient in a model

If you're looking for inspiration, take a gander at what folks did with Santa's sleigh last year. Have fun, and happy holidays.

Posted by Aidan Chopra, Product Evangelist

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Fast PDF viewing right in your browser @Twitter: Welcome to Google Friend Connect New and improved account management pages Your blog, your data

A new spin on 3D

Did you ever want to see what a 3D Warehouse model looks like in 3D, without having to open the model in Google SketchUp or Google Earth? Wouldn't it be nice to get a better look at a great model car or a character you want in a scene without waiting for a 9MB download? Today, we've launched a new feature that should help. You can now preview 3D models in your web browser, and there's no plugin required.

Here's how it works: on the model details page (the one with the large picture of the model and its description) there are now two buttons marked "Image" and "3D View". Click the "3D View" option, wait a moment, then you can click and drag left or right to spin the model. Pretty simple stuff.


When you upload a new model or update an existing one, we have to modify a couple of things before your "3D View" images can be seen. After uploading, check back in a day or two and the images should be ready to go. Okay, now head back to the 3D Warehouse and enjoy the ride!

Posted by Brian Brewington, 3D Warehouse Software Engineer

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Street View: A year in review, and what's new Search and find magazines on Google Book Search Magazines come to Google Book Search Double the coverage, double the fun

For professionals, by (SketchUp) professionals

About a month ago, the SketchUp Sales & Marketing team was in a meeting chattering excitedly about the new features in SketchUp Pro 7. The buzz in the room got us thinking - why not create a video specifically for design professionals showing the many industries that are using SketchUp Pro and new features like Dynamic Components and LayOut 2? So we put our heads together, and thanks to Tyson's great video work, we came up with the SketchUp Pro video. Enjoy!



P.S. It's a little longer than some of our other videos (4:24), but the construction scenes at the end are well worth the wait!

Posted by Chris Cronin and Chris Dizon, SketchUp Sales Team

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: New AdWords options for iPhone and G1 Bringing Your Photos Home Update to the Google Maps API Terms of Service New in Labs: Tasks

Modeling for Google Earth is now easier

Now that you've downloaded Google SketchUp 7, you may be overwhelmed by all of the new features it has to offer. Let's focus on the new photo matching tools and discover how modeling for Google Earth just got a lot easier.

Let's say we just "matched" a great corner shot of the local bank and are satisfied with the geometry and texturing of the building. Well, almost satisfied -- there are those pesky trees and bushes on every face. Two new tools, Make Unique Texture and Edit Texture will make editing out the trees quick and easy.


First, we'll point SketchUp towards an image editor. In this example, we'll use Photoshop, but any editor will do. Another option is GimPhoto, a free, open source software download.

1. Window > Preferences > Applications
   


2. Choose the image editor of your choice.

Let's dive in and use the new texture tools. To start, isolate the texture on our obstructed faces and make them into their own unique textures. Making a texture unique is helpful if you'd like to sample it to other faces, reduce the file size, or in this instance, take it into an image editor and work on a flat image as opposed to one in perspective. To do so:

1. Select the face.
   


2. Right-click and choose Make Texture Unique.

Finally, we'll bring the now cropped texture into our image editor to remove the trees and bushes. For information on how to remove obstructions, play with color correction, or make alpha-channel images, please visit our Modeling a City Guide PDF. Now, let's get our texture into the editor.

1. Select the face.
   


2. Right-click and hover over Texture.


3. On the pop-out menu, select Edit Texture Image.
   


4. The cropped texture will open in the image editor. Make your edits and save; the edited texture will update in SketchUp.

And voila! A clean, professional looking model.

If you want to submit a model to the 3D Buildings layer in Google Earth, we recommend removing any obstructions such as trees, people, and cars. While edited textures are not an explicit section of our Acceptance Criteria, it's certainly something we keep in mind when comparing two models of the same building.

Now that you know how to make models with obstruction-free textures, it's no surprise you're aching to start modeling. Check out the Help Model a City collections on the Google 3D Warehouse - with 15 different collections and almost 300 buildings ready to be modeled, there are buildings for modelers of every ability level. Each model file contains imported terrain, a sign post marking the intended building, and a description where you'll find a link to a Picasa Web Album with all of the photos you'll need.

Posted by Alex Juhola, 3D Data Specialist

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Response to phone companies' "Google bandwidth" report Improved sharing, international name tags, and more Friend Connect now available in beta to everyone No, You Lock It Up!

Improved Ruby API scripts

The new SketchUp 7 Ruby API brings significant improvements to performance, stability, and functionality. Some enhancements include faster script performance, improved web dialogs, and there are several new methods that allow your scripts to detect your users' activity. Read about these and other improvements on the SketchUp Ruby API Blog.

Posted by Scott Lininger, SketchUp Software Engineer

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: New Android Maps API Terms of Service and Key Enforcement Local Search results now include China Welcome YUI!, script.aculo.us gets fresh SWFObject Library Added to Libraries API

Got Style?

As a designer, you use drawings to communicate much more than just the appearance of spaces or objects. Great drawings "set the tone"; they provide a window into the actual experience of your ideas. Drawings also help communicate the state of your design: Where are you in the process? What level of feedback from your clients is appropriate? Is it time to talk about the roof tile, or are you still working out the building massing? Good drawings lead to good conversations, and that leads to better design.

Style Builder lets you take hand-drawn lines (or any other lines you create) and apply them as edges in a SketchUp model. Now you can make your 3D models look like sketches, abstracting out the things you're not ready to discuss, and bringing forward the things you do. Styles you create in Style Builder are also totally unique; no one else will be able to make drawings that look like yours.

Check out this video to see how Style Builder works:



Posted by Bryce Stout, Product Manager

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Got Questions? Try the new Google Mobile Help Forum Eric Schmidt speaks about solutions for energy security Google TV Ads program targeting enhancements Some favorite Google Maps features now for iPhone

The Google 3D Warehouse in your language

One of the fun things about the 3D Warehouse is that we get to see how "globally dispersed" 3D modelers are. There are models from Brazil, China, Russia – just to name a few. Often, these models are described in the languages of the people who posted them; unless you're lucky enough to be fluent in 27 (and counting) languages, you might find our new translation feature interesting.
Using Google's new translation service, we've added a new feature that detects if a model's description is written in something other than your preferred language. If so, it offers you a translate option. So even if you don't read Simplified Chinese, you can still read about this model. And if you're having trouble remembering your German, this model is still within reach.

Posted by Mark Limber, Product Manager

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Spice up your inbox with colors and themes Sorting 1PB with MapReduce Fully integrated chat in orkut– that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! Say hello to Gmail voice and video chat

The 3D Warehouse inside SketchUp

To help celebrate the launch of SketchUp 7, the 3D Warehouse team got together and decided to give the SketchUp product team (and the worldwide modeling community) a little gift; we made some changes so the 3D Warehouse works better with SketchUp – and not just SketchUp 7. Tom S. and I sat down to work on it, and a few cups of coffee later, here we are.

Now when you click the Get Models icon in SketchUp, you'll see a new, simplified homepage with a cleaner overview of 3D Warehouse content. You can sit back and watch the models roll by or get straight down to business by searching for what you need. Here's another hint: If you're new to the 3D Warehouse, the content under the Browse and Learn menus is also worth a closer look.

We've improved the model upload process, too. Clicking Share Model (back in SketchUp) provides you with a greatly simplified upload page. It also includes a preview of your model image and a map for geo-located models.


Posted by Matt Simpson, UX (User Experience) Designer

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Spice up your inbox with colors and themes WHOPR - A scalable whole program optimizer for GCC Picasa 3 -- fresh out of beta! YouTube - CPG Brands continuing innovation.

All about upgrades

As you may have noticed from our long list of new features in 7, SketchUp Pro is now more powerful than ever. We're trying to make it super easy to upgrade from previous versions of SketchUp Pro to the latest one. If you have an active license for SketchUp Pro 6 (or 5, or 4, or 3, or 2, or 1), you can upgrade it to a SketchUp Pro 7 license through our online store. Once you've purchased your new, upgraded license, you'll receive an email with two important pieces of information:

1. Link to download Google SketchUp Pro 7 (if you haven't already)
2. License information you need to authorize it
   

If you want to try it out before upgrading, please feel free to download an eight-hour trial from our website.

Here are some more things to keep in mind:

• The cost to upgrade each license is US$95, EU€64 or UK£51.
• Please have your current serial number, registered user and company name available when you visit the upgrade portion of our store.
• If you have any trouble upgrading, please visit our online help center for more detailed instructions.
• If you purchased a SketchUp Pro 6 license on or after October 1, 2008, the fee is waived as long as you upgrade before or on December 31, 2008.
• If you purchased a SketchUp Pro license through one of our authorized resellers, please contact that reseller directly for upgrade terms.
• If you've contacted us through the Help Center recently, we will try to respond as quickly as possible. Visit this forum post for troubleshooting suggestions.

Thanks for your continued business and happy sketching!


Posted by Nancy Trigg, SketchUp Sales Manager

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Spice up your inbox with colors and themes Sorting 1PB with MapReduce Picasa 3 -- fresh out of beta! Is Your Web Truly World-Wide?

Sometimes you need more than a model

LayOut 2 is:

1) included with SketchUp Pro 7
2) out of Beta
3) available today!

What's LayOut? Well, it's like this...

Say you've got kids (like I do) and they've snookered you into working on a design for the new playground at their elementary school. "No problem!" you say, and you whip up a a great design and model it like a pro in SketchUp. Project done, right? Well... now the Principal would like to see the design, as would the president of the PTO. And then the fund raising committee would like a nice picture to display at the bake sale. The well-meaning contractor needs to know what it looks like, and wants to get the landscaping started today. They all think your model is great, and they all want a copy of it. Right now.

What you need is LayOut: the easy-to-use documentation tool for SketchUp models. With LayOut, you drop your SketchUp model into a pre-built document template (with professional titleblock and everything), generate a quick set of scaled drawings for the contractor, and a nice presentation perspective for the bake sale. And when you're done, you email a PDF file to everyone on the project and give the Principal a polished slide presentation in his office from your laptop.



Funds are raised, the playground is built, the kids are heroes with their friends and everybody's happy! In fact, everything is going great now, except the kids (inspired by your success with the playground) would now like you to get them a puppy. You're on your own with that one...

Posted by John Bacus, Product Manager

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Cool Tool for News Use Say hello to Gmail voice and video chat Voice and video chat now in Gmail The Final Inch

More about Dynamic Components

If you've never designed in 3D before, you probably assume that 3D objects "just know" what they are – and how they should behave – automatically. Like a staircase that knows to add steps when you make it higher. Or a tree that grows branches as it gets taller. Or a door that opens and closes when you click on it. Up until now, that wasn't possible in Google SketchUp.

But now it is.

In SketchUp 7 (which we just released yesterday), Dynamic Components are 3D models that behave like the real-world objects they represent. They make using SketchUp faster and easier than ever, so you can spend less time modeling and more time designing. They're just "smart" versions of regular SketchUp components, so you can use them in any model you're working on.

Check out this video for a basic rundown on Dynamic Components (a picture's worth a thousand words, after all...)



You can use existing Dynamic Components in both (free and Pro) versions of SketchUp, but if you want to make your own, you'll need SketchUp Pro 7. Dynamic Components work by letting you attach attributes (pieces of extra information) to SketchUp groups and components. After that, you can add formulas to create relationships and control how they interact. It's a lot like working with spreadsheets, actually.

And if you're not sure, just download SketchUp Pro 7 to play around with them. You'll find plenty of resources to help you get started: videos, FAQ, self-paced tutorials, working examples and of course, written documentation.

Posted by Peter Saal, Product Manager

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Spice up your inbox with colors and themes Say hello to Gmail voice and video chat Lively no more The Final Inch

Drum roll please: Introducing SketchUp 7

Two years in the making and the result of many, many people's hard work, Google SketchUp 7 has arrived. You are cordially invited to visit our website to download a copy for yourself. We can't wait to see what you think.

First things first: We made a video to tell you about the new stuff in 7. I recommend watching it twice: Once to learn about what's new, and once more to see what programmers do when they're told to "just stand there" in front of a video camera. Feel free to microwave yourself some popcorn before you click "play".



You can find an exhaustive list of what's new in 7 on our (aptly named) What's New in SketchUp 7 page, so I won't bother repeating everything here. Suffice it to say, there's a lot, and we couldn't be prouder.

For SketchUp 7, we decided to focus on three main areas:

1. Making SketchUp easier for new modelers to learn
2. Adding "power tools" for SketchUp Pro gurus who dream in faces and edges
3. Clearing the way for even more model sharing and collaboration

To that end, we've done everything from making small changes that make everyone's life easier (like making it so that edges automatically split other edges where they cross), to launching LayOut 2 (a whole separate program that lets Pro users create detailed multi-page documents and presentations).

Enough blathering from me – the best way to learn about 7 is to download and try it out for yourself. But before you go, three things:

• Installing SketchUp 7 on your computer won't affect SketchUp 6; you'll have access to both versions for as long as you like.
• If you have a license for SketchUp Pro 6 and you'd like to upgrade to Pro 7, have a look at our store to find out how.
• Keep an eye on this blog for plenty of in-depth follow-up posts about the features and improvements in SketchUp 7. We'll be adding new stuff every day this week.

Have fun!

Posted by Aidan Chopra (on behalf of the SketchUp, LayOut and 3D Warehouse teams)

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: Google Mobile App for iPhone now with Voice Search and My Location Happy Geography Awareness Week Better Cooking Through Reader-ing

Website Optimizer Seminars for Success & a Webinar

A Mandate for Change

Posted by Andy Diamondstein, YouTube APIs and Tools Team

In the past few months, thousands of you posted questions in our API forum, many for the very first time in your lives, because you believed that your voice could make a difference. You know that the YouTube API can change, and you've asked if we can change it by adding new features and fixing bugs. Yes we can.

What we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. But there is so much more to do. And we want to be sure that we don't break your applications when we do it. And that's why we've released new backward compatibility guidelines to help ensure that your applications handle API changes gracefully.

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: A deeper look at Advanced Segmentation: filtering on the fly Featured gadget: VTM Wheater Map Santa Barbara fire map When in Rome...teach!

Guess who's going to Greenbuild 2008?

Architectural Suite and Architectural Suite Plus software. Here's the deal: If you go to the Greenbuild Expo in Boston next week, visit the IES Booth (#1447) and you'll receive $250 off their software using the promo code GB08. This offer is also available on their website. If you're going to the conference to learn about building green, you may as well save some green while you're there.

Posted by Chris Cronin, SketchUp Green Team

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: A picture is worth a thousand words Gmail for mobile: faster, smoother, and now in more languages Tip: Your email, wherever you are on the web, with Toolbar Say hello to Gmail voice and video chat

When in Rome...Teach!

This week, we introduced the new Ancient Rome 3D layer in Google Earth, a groundbreaking collection of 6,700 3D buildings modeled as leading scholars determined they stood in the year 320 A.D.

While we hope that teachers are already pretty excited to incorporate Ancient Rome 3D into their lessons, we wanted to go a step further and issue an open challenge to educators to harness the power of this new tool in the classroom. Today, we're proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Google lesson plan contest for K-12 educators in the US, the Ancient Rome in 3D Curriculum Competition. Whether you teach art history to high school students or geometry to fifth graders, the new visual tool can spice up lessons old and new. From a comparative architectural study using the ancient 3D models and modern Street View imagery to a new LitTrip of Virgil's Aeneid, the only limit is your imagination!


From Caesar to Augustus, the Roman Forum to the Arch of Constantine, it's time to get those creative juices flowing. Register and upload your original curriculum at earth.google.com/romecontest by February 9th for the chance at fame, glory, and an awesome prize package!

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: A picture is worth a thousand words Gmail for mobile: faster, smoother, and now in more languages Google Site Search gets more demanding How we help track flu trends

See roman history come to life in 3D

Were you someone who struggled to stay awake in ancient history class? If so, perhaps this was due to those uninspiring "artist renditions" in your textbook. Reading countless pages that described how a monument, building or city may have appeared can be a pretty difficult way for the average reader to form a mental picture.

Today we introduced a new approach to learning about ancient history – the ability to go back in time and explore Rome as it existed in 320 AD – in 3D!

All of this is possible through the new Ancient Rome 3D layer in Google Earth. To activate the layer, just open the "Gallery" folder in the "Layers" panel and select "Ancient Rome 3D." To load the terrain and buildings, click on any yellow icon and then click the links at the bottom of the bubble.



The new layer, produced by the University of Virginia's Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities (IATH) and based on its Rome Reborn model, contains over 6,000 3D buildings and 250 Google Earth placemarks where Google Earth explorers can learn about this fascinating period of history. Our SketchUp modeling team converted the original Rome Reborn model to SKP format, then optimized the data for display in Google Earth.

This is the first time that we have incorporated an ancient city in Google Earth. Going back in time presented some new challenges, such as how to handle the ancient terrain which was clearly different than it is today. We needed to ensure that modern-day imagery, terrain and buildings didn't interfere with the Ancient Rome model, so we opted for a simple overlay.

So go ahead – fly down to the Roman Forum and experience what it may have felt like to stand on the Rostra of Augusta to deliver a political speech. Or, if you've fantasized about being a gladiator in the Colosseum, go for it: Simply fly there in Google Earth, enter through the ground level door and envision the crowds cheering you on!

Omnes viae Romam ducunt.

Posted by Bruce Polderman, Product Manager

[NFGB] Link - from Official Google SketchUp Blog Related From Google Blogs: A picture is worth a thousand words Gmail for mobile: faster, smoother, and now in more languages Google Site Search gets more demanding How we help track flu trends