Blogography: Earth - David Simmer is playing with the magnificent Google Earth

Earth

Posted on January 7, 2009

Dave! I'm endlessly fascinated with the free "Google Earth" application.

It's always running on my work Mac, and any time I have to take a phone call or am waiting for something, I pop it up and explore the world. Sometimes I travel to cities I've been to before and revisit interesting places. Other times I jet off to somewhere new. A place that I've always dreamed of visiting, but haven't gotten around to yet. Still other times I just fly around the planet looking for something nifty to look at. Google Earth makes it easy...

Google Earth Interface

The coolest part of Google Earth is how they are continuously adding 3-D content which sits on top of the map and allows you to explore the world in an entirely new way. You can fly to Seattle, for example...

Google Earth Above Seattle

Then zoom in and pan the camera to start exploring things in glorious three-dimensions...

Google Earth Seattle 3-D

And they're adding new models all the time. Partially-completed content floats above the map until completed. Like in Paris, for example, where these buildings are awaiting textures...

Google Earth Paris Incomplete

This morning I found out that Walt Disney World has tons of 3-D content. Flying over to The Magic Kingdom, I was amazed at the fantastic job they did with Cinderella's Castle...

Google Earth Cinderella's Castle

Peeking around the castle, I see they even have the rides rendered...

Google Earth Dumbo Ride

The level of detail is amazing. They even modeled the boats on The Jungle Cruise...

Google Earth Jungle Cruise Boat

And it's not just the popular Disney landmarks that are given the 3-D treatment... Epcot's World Showcase is beautifully constructed...

Google Earth Mexico Pavillion

Even the resort properties are fully rendered in beautiful detail. Like my favorite hotel, Disney's Wilderness Lodge...

Google Earth Wilderness Lodge

Cool beans.

If you want to do a little exploring of your own, you can pick up a free copy of Google Earth at the official site.

Technorati Tags: 3-D, Google Earth, Maps

Category Tracker: World

Comments

That's fun! Thanks for sharing and subsequently wasting hours of my life.

Posted by Whit on January 07, 2009 | Reply

That is the coolest thing ever.

Posted by Mad William on January 07, 2009 | Reply

Isn't that a partially completed Star Destroyer in the fourth picture? Are the French trying to take over outer space now?

Posted by kapgar on January 08, 2009 | Reply

Yeah, Google Earth is neat for what you've mentioned, but along the way in their upgrades they've taken away the street names. What good is a map without street names? For what I liked to use GE for, it's now pretty much useless :(

Posted by Jill on January 08, 2009 | Reply

It would feel like you're exploring some post-apocalyptic world with all of the 3-D renderings but no people!

Posted by Avitable on January 08, 2009 | Reply

You had me at "Disney"...

Posted by Hilly on January 08, 2009 | Reply

Why oh why have I not downloaded this before? That will be fixed when I get home from work tonight.

Posted by Kevin Spencer on January 08, 2009 | Reply

That's just too freakin' cool. I was just in Seattle last summer, and can totally relate to those shots!

Posted by Randy on January 08, 2009 | Reply

downloading now...

Posted by Miss Britt on January 08, 2009 | Reply

Google life beyond Google Maps. Amazing.

I am going to go download that and spend my time on the phone exploring.

Posted by ChillyWilly on January 08, 2009 | Reply

ay ay ay.... google earth makes me dizzy.

Posted by twinkie on January 08, 2009 | Reply

very cool!

Posted by Whitenoise on January 08, 2009 | Reply

That is so freaking beyond cool. I did spend way too much time exploring it and i intend to explore it a lot more!!

Thanks dude!!!

Posted by michelle Jacobs on January 08, 2009 | Reply

I swear, it is one of life's most amazing inventions! I love it too. I can even see you lying naked on your bed sometimes.

Posted by A Lewis on January 08, 2009 | Reply

Oooh, cool 3-D stuff! Looks like I need to go give Google Earth another try.

Posted by Elizabeth on January 08, 2009 | Reply

I had no idea you could do that with GoogleEarth. Really cool. I use it for doing mundane things like figuring out how far I walked from Chinatown to Penn Station (five miles with detours). I feel like I'm shooting mice with an elephant gun.

Posted by yellojkt on January 08, 2009 | Reply

Have you seen the little video of the guys finding their location on Google Earth / street view and they actually zoom in on themselves? Awesome.

Posted by whall on January 09, 2009 | Reply

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