The list below addresses Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Cities in 3D Program.
- How does Google work with government agencies?
- What does a data sharing partnership with Google involve?
- Does a partnership with Google entail an exclusive agreement?
- Will it cost anything to add my government's 3D data to Google Earth?
- How does the public benefit from having access to 3D city data on Google Earth?
- What are some examples of how the public uses 3D data?
- Where can I find examples of local governments that have made their 3D data available on Google Earth?
- Why should we share our 3D data through Google as opposed to hosting on our own website?
- How do I submit my data to Google?
- Will Google users be able to download my data? Is my data secure?
- What if I am unsure whether my data can be uploaded to the 3D Warehouse?
- What file formats can be uploaded into the 3D Warehouse?
- What 3D data types does Google accept?
- Do you also accept terrain and aerial imagery?
- Will Google change or modify my 3D data?
- How long will it take for my data to appear on Google Earth after it has been submitted?
- What if my content isn't published on Google Earth?
- How does Google work with government agencies?
We act as a vendor to government agencies and other public sector organizations. We offer a range of technology solutions, such as the Google Search Appliance and Google SketchUp Pro. We also partner with government agencies to help efficiently disseminate their content to citizens.
- What does a data sharing partnership with Google involve?
Citizens may discover and access your agency's information on Google services for free. We don't charge to include your content into our services.
- Does a partnership with Google entail an exclusive agreement?
No.
- Will it cost anything to add my government's 3D data to Google Earth?
No.
- How does the public benefit from having access to 3D city data on Google Earth?
3D building models of your city are useful to potential visitors, shoppers, developers, investors, preservationists, property owners, businesses, public officials, and many other groups. This type of information helps boost tourism, economic development, simplifies navigation and geographical analysis and promotes security. City planers and developers can benefit from this data as well.
- What are some examples of how the public uses 3D data?
- Historic Zoning to see building renovations and new construction projects from all angles, rather than a single view in a static photograph or drawing.
- Industrial development and real estate development to sell a project based on a proposed model of an industrial building or a real estate development on a vacant site.
- Finance planning to manage new opportunities or changes in tax law.
- Where can I find examples of local governments that have made their 3D data available on Google Earth?
- Why should we share our 3D data through Google as opposed to hosting on our own website?
Your data will be discoverable by everyone who uses Google Earth. Google Earth provides a unique contextual and relational view of buildings and terrain. Cities can be viewed from all angles allowing others to visualize buildings in relation to each other and the surrounding areas.
- How do I submit my data to Google?
If you have a 100 or fewer 3D textured models that are in SketchUp SKP or KMZ format, they can be uploaded into the 3D Warehouse. All models published to the 3D Warehouse go through a review process where they are checked for accuracy of location, visual completeness, polygon-count and overall quality. Those that pass our review process are incorporated into the 3D Buildings layer of Google Earth for everyone to see. If you have more than 100 3D models, or data that's in a format the 3D Warehouse doesn't accept at this time, please fill out this form.
- Will Google users be able to download my data? Is my data secure?
Either requirement can be accommodated. Data submitted through our contact form is secure and your data will be "view only."
Models published to the 3D Warehouse, however, can be downloaded. Only you can remove or alter the original model, but anyone can use the file to create derivative work. We suggest visiting the Terms of Service page for the 3D Warehouse for more information about model ownership and rights.
- What if I am unsure whether my data can be uploaded to the 3D Warehouse?
Please complete this form and tell us about your data. We'll be happy to provide feedback on how to best submit your data.
- What file formats can be uploaded into the 3D Warehouse?
- SketchUp ".skp"
- Google Earth ".kmz"
- COLLADA ".dae"
- What 3D data types does Google accept?
- Photo-textured 3D buildings in any of the following file formats:
- .shp, .kmz, .skp, .dae, .3ds, .max.
- Non-textured 3D buildings in any of the following file formats:
- .shp (including Multipatch), .kmz, .skp, .dae, .3ds, .max
- Building footprints with heights (extruded or has z-value)
- .shp, .csv, .kmz.
- Photo-textured 3D buildings in any of the following file formats:
- Do you also accept terrain and aerial imagery?
Yes, we accept the following types of high quality bare earth raster based terrain and elevation data for inclusion on the Google Earth terrain layer:
- GeoTIFF (GTiff: ".tif").
- Arc/Info Binary Grid (AIG: ".adf").
- Arc/Info ASCII Grid (AAIGrid: ".asc").
- Erdas Imagine Images (HFA: ".img").
- SDTS Raster (SDTS: ".DDF").
- USGS ASCII DEM (USGSDEM: ".dem").
- Will Google change or modify my 3D data?
We'll evaluate the 3D data you provide to determine if it meets our quality standards for inclusion in Google Earth. We may make minor changes to the file format, file size, or textures, but we won't alter your data in any significant way.
- How long will it take for my data to appear on Google Earth after it has been submitted?
It may take several weeks to evaluate and process your data.
- What if my content isn't published on Google Earth?
If your content isn't added to the 3D Buildings layer, we'll provide feedback as to why your content wasn't accepted. We'd love to have you make changes based on our suggestions and re-submit your content for consideration again.
