Google Maps in 3D

[Alien8472]

Maybe a stupid question, but is it possible to extract data from this and apply it to cities skylines similar to the way that you can do with terrain maps?

[Slippin Jimmy]

terrain party

[Alien8472]

Not the terrain google maps 3d as in the houses etc... like auto create the models and such. Is it possible?

[grapplehoeker]

The terrain would be possible and even the road layout would be possible to some degree, but the buildings? Lol no way, for too many reasons;)

[Alien8472]

Not even if you applied some sort of matching using code in some way?

[NoirMoutton]

SomeT we'll get back to you on that one in 20 years, hold that thought!

[Barboss]

))

[GlutenFreeHugs]

The road layout is possible by importing data with cimtographer, but at the moment that function is not usable yet. Might have to wait till the modder updates it... or 20 years.

[Alien8472]

Why 20 years, why such a specific date? I mean I am not looking for say accurate models of houses something like 'if road has house on side generate cities skylines house else generate grass'

[grapplehoeker]

Originally posted by SomeT:

Why 20 years, why such a specific date? I mean I am not looking for say accurate models of houses something like 'if road has house on side generate cities skylines house else generate grass'

Ready for a little self education?
I'll start you off with Digital Elevation Model. This should be sufficient, but you can research the subject further if you wish.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_elevation_model
You should also be aware that while we are lucky enough to have free public access to most of the world survey maps taken by a few satellites, that the level of detail you would require for what you suggest, goes far beyond what is available from these surveys. For that level of detail you would need advanced telemetry data that isn't freely available and those that are purchasable, cost many thousands of $.
Once you have bought your expensive map for your game, you would then need to develop a program that could identify and extrapolate buildings from that data and translate them into individual 3D models. When you've finished that, please allow me to be first in line for a free copy ;)

[Alien8472]

You have not took in my last comment well, all I am indicating is to have something similar to the map not exact, by using a program that matches the closest thing in the game to the closest thing on the map.

[grapplehoeker]

Originally posted by SomeT:

You have not took in my last comment well, all I am indicating is to have something similar to the map not exact, by using a program that matches the closest thing in the game to the closest thing on the map.

I do understand what it is that you're asking for... you have not understood my last post, nor have you read what I referred you to. If you had, you would have learned that most Digital Elevation Models, which contain urban areas, actually subtract the height data for buildings from the rest of the elevation data in order to get a more accurate mapping of the terrain. This is because the purpose of these telemetry maps is for geographical and topographical purposes and not for the rendering of individual buildings. In fact, for this reason, DEM's are completely unsuitable for what it is you want to achieve. The data simply isn't contained in these DEM's.
So... as I said, you would need an elevation map that focused specifically on the buildings and not just the terrain. These are not commonly available at all and those that do exist cost a small fortune to commission, let alone purchase.
Also, as I said, once you have the data, you would still need to write a program to extrapolate that data and render it into the building models you're asking for. I don't know of any freely available program such as that, so please let me know when yours is ready to be published.

[Alien8472]

Ok fair enough, at least I got the topic started, someone out there might have the same idea and actually achieve this haha.

[ndounseroux62]

Anyone heard of ReDem? http://www.zugware.com/site/products/redem