I'm endlessly fascinated with the free "Google Earth" application.
It's always running on my work Mac, and any time I have to take a phone call or am waiting for something, I pop it up and explore the world. Sometimes I travel to cities I've been to before and revisit interesting places. Other times I jet off to somewhere new. A place that I've always dreamed of visiting, but haven't gotten around to yet. Still other times I just fly around the planet looking for something nifty to look at. Google Earth makes it easy...
The coolest part of Google Earth is how they are continuously adding 3-D content which sits on top of the map and allows you to explore the world in an entirely new way. You can fly to Seattle, for example...
Then zoom in and pan the camera to start exploring things in glorious three-dimensions...
And they're adding new models all the time. Partially-completed content floats above the map until completed. Like in Paris, for example, where these buildings are awaiting textures...
This morning I found out that Walt Disney World has tons of 3-D content. Flying over to The Magic Kingdom, I was amazed at the fantastic job they did with Cinderella's Castle...
Peeking around the castle, I see they even have the rides rendered...
The level of detail is amazing. They even modeled the boats on The Jungle Cruise...
And it's not just the popular Disney landmarks that are given the 3-D treatment... Epcot's World Showcase is beautifully constructed...
Even the resort properties are fully rendered in beautiful detail. Like my favorite hotel, Disney's Wilderness Lodge...
Cool beans.
If you want to do a little exploring of your own, you can pick up a free copy of Google Earth at the official site.
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That’s fun! Thanks for sharing and subsequently wasting hours of my life.
That is the coolest thing ever.
Isn’t that a partially completed Star Destroyer in the fourth picture? Are the French trying to take over outer space now?
Yeah, Google Earth is neat for what you’ve mentioned, but along the way in their upgrades they’ve taken away the street names. What good is a map without street names? For what I liked to use GE for, it’s now pretty much useless 🙁
It would feel like you’re exploring some post-apocalyptic world with all of the 3-D renderings but no people!
You had me at “Disney”…
Why oh why have I not downloaded this before? That will be fixed when I get home from work tonight.
That’s just too freakin’ cool. I was just in Seattle last summer, and can totally relate to those shots!
downloading now…
Google life beyond Google Maps. Amazing.
I am going to go download that and spend my time on the phone exploring.
ay ay ay…. google earth makes me dizzy.
very cool!
That is so freaking beyond cool. I did spend way too much time exploring it and i intend to explore it a lot more!!
Thanks dude!!!
I swear, it is one of life’s most amazing inventions! I love it too. I can even see you lying naked on your bed sometimes.
Oooh, cool 3-D stuff! Looks like I need to go give Google Earth another try.
I had no idea you could do that with GoogleEarth. Really cool. I use it for doing mundane things like figuring out how far I walked from Chinatown to Penn Station (five miles with detours). I feel like I’m shooting mice with an elephant gun.
Have you seen the little video of the guys finding their location on Google Earth / street view and they actually zoom in on themselves? Awesome.