14 DAY TRIAL // The latest update to the 3D buildings layer in Google Earth introduced quite a few 3D models for Brussels, Belgium's capital. Virtual visitors can now explore the city and its wonderful architecture from their laptops or tablets and check out the sites before a trip or just out of curiosity.
"Brussels is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. As Belgium’s charming capital city, many have enjoyed living there, ranging from Victor Hugo and Karl Marx to Jean-Claude Van Damme. Now, you can discover the riches of Brussels in a virtual 3D visit with Google Earth," Google Belgium's Julien Blanchez announced.
Google says that several thousands buildings have been recreated in 3D by passionate modelers and are all available now in Google Earth as well as in the Earth View for Google Maps with the 3D buildings layer enabled.
There is a KML file with a tour of the city, highlighting the best sights or you can check out the video below to get an idea. If you think you can do better than some of the models you see or want to add so more, you can check out Google Building Maker or go all out with Google SketchUp.
"The place to start is the Grand Place / Grote Market, Brussels' central square. Its 17th century landmark guild houses are richly decorated with sculptures, gables and gold patterns," Blanchez suggests a place to visit in Google Earth.
"Perhaps the most well-known landmark in Brussels is the Atomium, an all-metal building built in 1958, in the shape of an iron atom magnified 165 billion times," he continues.
Other cities that have been recreated in 3D in Google Earth recently:
- Amsterdam in 3D Now in Google Maps and Earth - Dortmund in 3D in Google Earth - Vienna Gets Showcased in 3D in Google Earth - Madrid Gets the 3D Treatment in Google Earth - Lisbon in 3D in Google Earth - Stockholm Goes 3D in Google Earth - Venice Now in 3D in Google Earth - Rotterdam Now in 3D in Google Earth - Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany in 3D in Google Earth - Seville, Spain Now in 3D in Google Earth
Google SketchUp is available for download here on Softpedia.