3D vs 2D

[Super Fegelein]

Loving the app!

I just have a question regarding the way some locations are displayed and modeled.

Why are some locations properly modeled, and in 3D, yet other locations are 2D and flat on the floor?

For instance, Panama City in Panama has a lot of beautiful tall buildings, and the Panama Canal. But when I go to visit in Google Earth, the city is flat on the ground, and only the terrain is modeled in 3D. Why is this? There are also other locations with the same problem.

[Bob Loblaw]

I notice Panama City, Panama does not have full streetview coverage... perhaps Google generates the 3D views from streetview photos, or from other data their cars gathered.

[Super Fegelein]

No, I don't think that the 3D models are taken from street-view data. No way the buildings would look that good. Also, we would be able to peer into tunnels or under objects, instead of it being not modeled.

The data has to come from satellite imaging. I'm just not sure why some places are different than others.

[Bob Loblaw]

Aerial photography. Didn't get to Panama City yet, I guess. Skip to 2:20:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suo_aUTUpps&t=140
Also Sketchup:
https://www.quora.com/How-are-the-3D-models-of-buildings-generated-on-Google-Earth-Where-did-they-get-all-this-data-and-how-was-it-compiled

[Super Fegelein]

Insightful answer, thank you.

Now I just wish I could see some sort of priority list to see what the developers are up to. Hasn't this app been available for two years now? Is Panama City ever going to be done?

[graemeevans1986]

Originally posted by Super Fegelein:

Insightful answer, thank you.

Now I just wish I could see some sort of priority list to see what the developers are up to. Hasn't this app been available for two years now? Is Panama City ever going to be done?

and google earth data has been around long before that. were talking about 3d modelling the entire planet. it takes time. they accept user generated 3d models created with programs such as sketchup. so you can create some models yourself if you like. theres tutorials out there on how to do so and submit them for the google earth 3d layer.

[Bob Loblaw]

You know how google lets you add streetview photo spheres right from your smart phone? There should be a way to upload drone footage and convert it to 3D data in google earth vr.