Two new Google Earth layers

Apr 25, 2007 07:10 GMT  ·  By

Google has recently partnered with The American Institute of Architects to build two new layers that will allow users to browse and analyze the architecture of the most famous structures in the world. The two layers, America's Favorite Architecture and Blueprint for America will provide instant access to an impressive database of structures to enable users of the downloadable application view the 3D models of buildings, bridges or even memorials.

"I'm ecstatic to announce our partnership with Google Earth to launch these new layers in celebration of our the 150th anniversary," RK Stewart, FAIA, President 2007, American Institute of Architects, started a blog post on the Google page. "Fly to America's Favorite Architecture, a layer featuring the American public's favorite architecture (as selected though a national poll announced earlier this year). View all 150 structures, including many with just created 3-D models of the buildings, ballparks, bridges, and memorials that characterize architecture in the eyes of Americans. And then explore the second layer, Blueprint for America," he added.

The two companies published a clip on the online video sharing service YouTube to show the functionality of the two new layers. As far I can, the updated features of the downloadable application are designed in Google's SketchUp, a program powered by the search giant that allows users to design their own 3D models of buildings, streets and even cities.

Some time ago, Google used a major Earth update to present another feature of the downloadable application, sustaining that all users are able to make their own 3D draws and include them in the program. Since the debut of the Google Warehouse, a separate page that hosts all the users' SketchUp creations, more and more designers uploaded their 3D version of buildings but only some of them were included in Google Earth.