Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Banff puts itself on the 3D map

For a while now, the SketchUp sales team has been working on an important side project: We’re on a mission to collect cities’ 3D model data sets to add to Google Earth and Maps. Adding photo-textured or even gray building data can improve the way cities are visualized. Last year we worked with the Town of Banff (in Alberta, Canada) to get a 3D model of their municipality into Google Earth and Maps. Steve Nelson, Banff’s GIS Coordinator, writes:

The Town of Banff realizes the power of location and how it can benefit our residents and visitors alike. By contributing our town-wide 3D building outlines to Google’s Cities in 3D program, we’re able to visualize the town in a way that just can't be conveyed using traditional media.

Banff, Alberta in Google Earth, visualized with contributed gray building data

Visitors can fly right down to street level; turning buildings on and off gives them the ability to choose lodgings that offer amazing views of Banff National Park and the majestic Rocky Mountains. It also allows people who aren't familiar with the layout of the town to get a feel for the streets and services before they arrive. We have Banff's Roam transit system tied into Google Earth so visitors can see what's located around each stop -- and even when the next bus is scheduled to arrive!

Starting with gray extrusions often motivates geo-modelers to replace prominent buildings with full-fledged 3D models made in SketchUp.

3D building modelling also allows town planners and decision makers the ability to do some basic streetscape analysis and use the 3D capabilities in important project presentations such as the Town of Banff Signage and Wayfinding project. We are slowly applying facades to building shapes. Examples include the Town Hall and the Canada Post office. The feedback we've received from the few buildings we've completed have been very positive!

You can submit your town or city’s models for inclusion in Google Earth. Read about the Cities in 3D program to learn all about it.

Posted by Brandon Feltman, SketchUp Sales Team

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6 comments:

  1. Greg BennettMay 18, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Way to go Banff! This is very exciting and also quite interesting to know that Banff has a GIS Coordinator. What about Calgary, Vancouver Toronto and other major Canadian cities?

    -@gbrecord

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  2. EvanMay 18, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Congrats to Banff...now if only London England could get 3d buildings in Google Maps. Brandon, maybe you can help me understand the technical complications with using the 3d google earth content to show 3d buildings in google maps for android. It's an incredibly useful feature in large cities (of which London is definitely one of them) but the speed of adoption on the Maps side is disheartening to say the least.

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  3. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Obviously there are technical challenges moving 3D buildings from Google Earth to Google Maps. Know that we want our products to be great just as you do -- we're working on it. Thanks for your patience, and for caring enough to suggest how we can do better. Rome was not built in a day and neither is Google Maps. ;)

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  5. UnknownMay 19, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Evan, there are quite a few 3D models of London around with various levels of detail / coverage / accuracy but you are right, they are kept by planning authorities / local councils and not available on Google Earth.

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  6. zamreMay 20, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    3D Models .. Nice ...
    Zamre Bin Ab. Wahab

    ReplyDelete

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