Google Earth view now in Google Maps!

Very exciting news, something we had long expected to happen, Google Earth is now visible through the Google Maps interface.

Why is this exciting I hear you ask...  well  this means that everyone can now enjoy the wonders of Google Earth, including the 3D buildings layer, without having to install Google Earth.  All you need to do is go to Google Maps, find a map location your interested in and then click the 'Earth' button on the top right of the screen.  For example if you zoom in on Perth, then click the earth button you will see our latest geomodels, the two tallest buildings in Perth.  More to follow on these soon.

The integration of Google Earth into maps is exciting as it will make it the 3D buildings layer far more accessible. All you need is the Google Earth plugin.

Currently when you click on a 3D building in Google Earth a balloon pops up which contains text and a link which are populated by the maker of the model.  This functionality isn't yet in the earth maps view, but Google have confirmed they are working to include this functionality very soon.

Google have helpfully created this video to explain more...

This is great news for both geo-modelers and for users of Google Maps!  There are still a lot of features included in the full version of Google Earth that aren't available in the maps view that we would highly recommend downloading it.  A few of the additional features of Google Earth include:

• Additional layers including information such as photos
• The animation of sun and shadows
• Historic photo imagery
• Tape measure to measure distances

The Nevis Highwire Bungy Platform: Geomodel now available in Google Earth!

Some say it’s scary, others petrifying.  Others still say it’s scarier than a service station sarnie…  All of them are in fact correct.  They are talking about the third highest bungee jump in the world, located near Queenstown, New Zealand.

Speaking from personal experience, standing on the edge of the Nevis Highwire really will put things into perspective for you.  The platform itself is suspended in the middle of a canyon, dangling precariously one hundred and thirty four metres above a rocky, unforgiving river bed.  In fact if anyone says that they did the jump and 'didn't find it all that scary' then they are either a liar or mentally insane.  Possibly both!

On the short bus journey from Queenstown to the site all the bravado slowly seeps out of you.  On arrival at the site after being harnessed up you are taken across to the Highwire platform on a surprisingly flimsy looking cable car.  You will see from the model below that it’s called the Highwire as it’s suspended by wire, and it’s pretty high.  Clever stuff!

 Just before your turn to jump you sit in what I can only describe as dentists chair for the final connection of the cord to your feet.  You stand up and try to hop gracefully over to the edge, bearing in mind your feet are now strapped together the graceful part is wishful thinking.  You try to put a brave face on things and are desperately trying to keep a smile on your face to show the camera you're not scared, all this whilst your toes are curling round the edge looking desperately for some purchase.  Finally, just before you leap. you stare the full one hundred and thirty four metres dead in the eye all you can think is one thing, why on earth did I sign up for this?!

About eight seconds later you know why, as you reach the bottom of the fall and the cord starts to pull you back skywards.  The grin on your face will be there for the rest of the week!  The feeling is unbelievable; I can’t even put it into words.

Now for the first time you can see the platform in its full 3D glory without having to take the journey all the way to Queenstown, as Cannam Design have crafted a geomodel of the platform.  Although after you’ve seen it adrenaline junkies will be rushing to buy tickets to Queenstown!  The 3D geomodel is available to download in the Google 3D Warehouse, where you can also click to see the model in Google Earth where the terrain really brings it to life.  You can download Google Earth for free here.

To get your very own model of your building, business or other structure to share with the world see the Cannam Design website for further details.

The 3D Geomodel of the Nevis Highwire Bungy Platform

And if you want proof of how scary it really is just check out this video!!