Sydney Swell Guide

I'm still in the early stages of learning to surf, and alongside trying to work out how to manoeuvre a board I also need to learn how to read the swell.  To help me work out which beach is best in which swell & wind combination I've created a handy picture chart to refer too.  It currently covers my three favorite beaches; Manly, Bondi and Maroubra.  Enjoy!

Sydney Surf Guide

SketchUp plugin for Augmented Reality

I discovered a SketchUp plugin this week that literally blew my mind.  It's hard to explain why but when you see the YouTube clip below you will understand.  If you want to try this yourself all you need is a computer, a webcam and a printer.

Firstly a quick introduction to Augmented reality.  It simply means adding an extra layer of information over the top of a real life environment.  The computer augments (changes) the view to show computer graphics or information interacting with  real life.  The exciting part is it allows you to play with computer models as if they were real life objects.  If that doesn't make sense play the video below and all will become clear.

As an engineer and designer I'm constantly looking for ways to improve communication of design with clients and team members, and augmented reality is looking promising as a future method of sharing 3D design with a wider audience.  I'm very much looking forward to experimenting with SketchUp and the AR-Media plugin which allows you you quickly set up augmented reality of a 3D model of your choosing.

Click play below, and prepare to be amazed....

Worlds Best Guacamole

I'm not even boasting, this recipe is simply the best Guacamole I've ever tasted.  And so simple to make.  It can go with so many things, but is also excellent just as a dip with some corn chips.

All you need is the following:

2 Avocados

Bunch Coriander

1 Red onion

2 tbsp Jalapenos (more if you like it spicy)

Reserved juice from the jalapeno jar

Lime juice to taste

Freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

Blend all of the ingredients and add jalapeno juice and lime juice to taste. Simples.

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

Crawley Edge Boatshed - Perth

After our break creating geomodels from our tour of New Zealand we are back focussing on creating geomodels in Western Australia. And what perfect timing with South Western Australia being chosen by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s Top 10 Regions for 2010!

There are some pretty spectacular things to see and do in Western Australia, from wine tasting to world class surfing. We are working on sharing this spectacular region with the world with geomodels created for the Google Earth 3D buildings layer, so that everybody explore Western Australia in 3D on Google Earth, not just those of us that are lucky enough to live here.

And what better place to start than with the small and humble Crawley Edge Boatshed. We have crafted a beautiful geomodel of this well-recognised landmark five minutes drive from the centre of Perth which was originally constructed in the early 1930s. Enjoy the boatshed, we will be back soon with news of some exciting new geomodels of Perth we are currently working on!

Here is a photo of the Boatshed as taken by an outstanding young photographer, Lloyd Snook.  See more of his work here.

And here is the geomodel:

To see the model in the Google 3D Warehouse click here.

And finally for those of you who don't have the Google Earth plugin or if you are reading the blog in an RSS reader and can't see the above, here is a photo of the geomodel taken in Google Earth:

See the Iceland volcano in full 3D technicolor in Google Earth

They obviously weren't thinking about us poor English speakers when they named the Icelandic Volcano the Eyjafjallajokull .  I haven't even tried to say it out loud, what a mouthful!

Well the good news is we didn't have to create a geomodel of the volcano as they helpful chaps at Google have already mapped the terrain of the whole world in Google Earth.  Handy really as it would have been tough to fly over to take the necessary pictures what with all the planes being grounded.

If you want to see it for yourself from the comfort of your own home download a free copy  of Google Earth here, install, then make sure the terrain button is ticked (bottom right corner), and search for Iceland. Simples.

Just in case you want a quick peek beforehand we have included the Google Earth view below, which you can interact with as long as you have the plug-in.  Not much to look at for all the trouble it's causing is it?!

Powered by Google Earth Hacks

Of course now you have Google Earth installed you can see all a whole range of 3D buildings and terrains including Cannam Design's Geomodels which you can browse in the Google 3D Warehouse.  Just make sure you have the 3D buildings layer ticked (in the bottom right corner).

Here are some other amazing pictures of the eruption:

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!!