Google Earth 3D Buildings

[shroomAzoom]

Does anyone ever look at the 3D buildings in Google Earth? Have you had it turned on recently while looking at Thunder Bay?

[ChrisDom]

shroomAzoom, did you create that building?  I think I can even see your geo-monopoly cache .

[Wandering_Man]

Wow how did you do it? Nice work.

[shroomAzoom]

Toot Toot!

That's the sound of me tooting my own horn. (Either that, or I'm trying to replace the log in Surprise.)

I took a look down at the waterfront again today on Google Earth with the 3D buildings layer turned on. Guess what I saw? To answer WM in the forum (we were talking about this sometime this past week) I used Sketch-Up to make these models. It's really easy, even a chimp like me can use them. See this guide for all the help you'll need. I'll admit that I've cheated and found photos on the web that I used for the "skin" of the buildings.

I'd love to see lots of buildings in Thunder Bay added into the 3D Buildings layer of Google Earth. I'm sure there's lots of talent and interest in our group to make a dent in it. I'm going to see if I can drum up some interest in the architectural community as well. Who knows, one of these days, we might look at Google Earth and the whole city will spring to 3D life.

[Wandering_Man]

Did you have to purchase a copy of SketchUp?

I was playing around with the trail copy the other day, but I really don't know if I want to pay for another piece of software once my 8hrs runs out.

[shroomAzoom]

What version did you download? I have Google SketchUp 7 (they bought it out in the last year or so) and it was free, no time limit or anything. Maybe you downloaded the "Pro" version?

[Wandering_Man]

I must have downloaded the pro version.. If you have a link to the other one I will go for it.. I prefer free

[shroomAzoom]

Try this link to download the free (non-Pro) version of SketchUp.

[shroomAzoom]

We should coordinate our efforts. I've just submitted the Library at LU and will try to do the ATAC this weekend. We could work on LU buildings, or the Port Arthur and Fort William downtown cores.

Anyone in other NWO towns tried sketchup on any of their local buildings?

I think some buildings that could be done to nice effect are Waverley Park and Academy Towers, as well as the tall condos on Beverly. The Auditorium, Canada Games Complex, the CN Station, Water Street Gov't buildings, Spence Clinic. Lots of fun ones to do!

[Wandering_Man]

How long does it take usually to get approved once you submit it?

I actually did try looking for some online pictures of the university last night to work from, but couldn't come up with much.. I think you should be nice and take more pictures from there and forward them to me so I don't have to go to all that effort on my own

[shroomAzoom]

Mmm, I don't know how long it took for the Whalen building to get approved. Less than two weeks. The Prince Arthur Hotel was approved in less than a week (and 28N Court was rejected.) I'll let you know how long it takes for the library building.

[Wandering_Man]

I'm finally getting close to finishing my first model. I need a few more pictures of it, especially of the back side, but its coming along well I think.  Hopefully I can put the finishing touches on it by the weekend and get it out for approval..

What do you guys think? Can anyone tell what building it is?


Note: Woohoo! My 100th post on NWOG.com!

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[shroomAzoom]

That is totally sweet! How did you find modeling the rounded back side of that building? When I did the Patterson Library, I did the arc above the front entrance. It was hard to get the photo texture on it, so I cheated a bit. Which reminds me, it took just under a week to get the library approved once I made the changes that I think they wanted and resubmitted.

FWIW, I modeled a building across the street from the building you modeled, WM. I submitted it last Friday, but made some improvements to it over the weekend and resubmitted on Monday. Maybe it'll show up over the weekend, hopefully sometime early next week.

Anyone else trying Sketch-Up to model Thunder Bay? I've got the shape and some photos for the CN station at the Marina and the Baggage building. Haven't really put a whole lot of work into it, but that'll probably be my next project. (I find it easier to model buildings at home with the little one, than to go out and cache these days. )

[Wandering_Man]

The round part at the back was interesting to do and its actually one of the parts I want to redo since I'm not 100% happy with it, but I picked up a few tricks and along the way and I think I can do a better job of it now.

I'm actually looking forward to your model of FBC showing up so I can compare the height with mine. I feel I did everything to proportion based on estimated height of the windows and doors as well as the footprint, but for some reason it seemed tall overall. I'll no better when I see it compared to your model.

Actually once you get the hang of things the basics of building a model are fairly easy. I just need pics now!

[ChrisDom]

Nice church; I found this online, it might help with the hieght.

Designed by G. Emile Tanguay and built in 1924, St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church is a Romanesque style, which features rounded arches, stepped buttresses and a simple rectangular floor plan. It's 36m to the pinnacle, atop which sits a cross.

Try this site for other T Bay buildings.

I am waiting until -30 degree weather before attempting my first building; my kids have been playing with it though.