Google Earth vs. Microsoft Virtual Earth 3D Revisited
Google Earth has more 3D models available than any other digital globe and thanks to Frank for getting me a link to AT&T Park in San Francisco (I’m a huge SF Giants fan) from the Google 3D Warehouse. The 3D Warehouse is very easy to use, just click on the “View in Google Earth 4″ and you see the result below.
Compare this to the Microsoft Virtual Earth 3D view:
The Google 3D Warehouse model is so much more detailed than the default Virtual Earth model. The biggest problem with this method that Google uses is the background. With Virtual Earth you get the whole city in the background and in Google Earth you get nothing (if you turn on the 3D buildings they cause problems with the AT&T Park model, not that you’d want them on anyway). So I do agree, you can’t compare Virtual Earth’s 3D cities with some of the wonderful models in the Google 3D Warehouse, but when looked at as a whole Microsoft’s method I think works better.
It’s a matter of what you are trying to do – if you want to get all up-close and personal with the architecture, then GE & Sketchup are better. But if you are looking at a more macroscopic scale (i.e. a city) then having pseudo-realistic buildings is much better.
I think that this is just the beginning of a series of one-uping in this arena, and it will be interesting to watch how it sorts it self out.
Of course, it is nice to have many of the large cities 3d models already in, but google earth has much more in the way of user submited content. This allows you to find more 3d stuff out in more rural areas. (random people’s houses, etc.)
Totally agree. Google Earth has such potential. Right now getting that data to the average user is a little difficult.
You can download the 3d warehouse network link right into earth, which will show you, on Earth, where 3d models are avaiable. It’s been around a while.
http://earth.google.com/intl/en/3d.html
Nice visual comparison. Isn’t it cool, classic Microosoft vs Google. Microsoft threw good money at producing whole cities, while Google is using volunteers to build its dataset. Each has its own short-comings and who knows how it will all turnout, but I love the competition!
@George
I know that, but it isn’t enabled by default, hence my “Average Users” comment. Average users will turn on the 3D buildings via the layers list.
[...] According to Spatially Adjusted.com, the Google 3D Warehouse model is much more detailed than the default Microsoft Virtual Earth model. The biggest problem with this method that Google uses is the background. With Virtual Earth you get the whole city in the background and in Google Earth you get nothing. [...]
IMO I like google earth better just for the point that Virtual earth will be Windows only while google has always been a strong supporter of Linux.
how do i download google earth 3d because i really want it to try and find wentworth millers house lol. oh yh and btw he is my idol lol. so please tell me coz i really need to know fanks.
I have to side with google on this. Microsoft does occasionaly provide a good service, but Google always comes through. And with Google now starting to expand and enrich its ’street view’ feature I think this competition is all but won.
I think that Microsoft Virtual Earth (VE) will win out.
1) Decades of software experience.
2) 10+ years in mapping software.
3) You can view VE in a browser
4) Birds eye view option
5) Developed on .net which allows .net developers to expand on the existing functionality
6) Google’s known lack of quality assurance in its products
7) Microsoft’s ability to incorporate VE into XBOX games, Vista OS, IE, and other Microsoft products.
3 and 4 are available in google earth and microsoft is more known for 6. I don’t know about integrating VE into Xbox games..but google earth is available integrated into IE, firefox, opera, safari and works in other OS’s besides Windows.
I’m pretty sure there is no legal was to view the birds eye images in Google Earth Dave.
something i just searched randomly tells me that your full of shit http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2007/10/virtual_earth_birds_eye_views_in_3d.html
Virtual Earth Bird’s Eye Views in 3D – Seen in Google Earth First
Anyways, just so you know I’m not a ranting fanboy, i prefer virtual earth for a number of reasons, i just wish i could use it on the imac I’m getting without running vista also.
Dave, before you call be full of shit know what you are talking about. They are viewing the birds eye view imagery from Microsoft inside the browser built into Google Earth, not Google Earth itself.
what you are talking about is google maps, not google earth, but i get the jist of what your saying.
Huh? That link you posted was showing Google Earth and Virtual Earth “linked” together. Google Maps has nothing to do with the Birds Eye Views
whatever i stopped caring about 4 hours ago
The problem isn’t that you don’t care, it is that you don’t know what you are talking about.
Rule of thumb, if you are going to troll and call me full of shit, understand the topic of hand.
@Dave: There is no way to use Pictometry data anywhere except inside the VE API.
We’ve been over this many times.
ok, i don’t know what I’m talking about and i don’t give a shit, i’ll give you both of those.
@Lefty: WE have not been over this many times, you have. Unlike you two i don’t spend much time talking about the development of specific applications, i have better things to do personally.
This is my last post: THINK ABOUT WHAT PETTY THINGS YOUR ARGUING ABOUT, GET A LIFE
A reading the VE API terms of use indicates that Government agencies can’t use Birds Eye imagery (without signed permission). Does anyone know if this applies to simple use of maps.live.com via a browser?
Says the person who resurrected a thread that is over a year old? Those who have lives live in the now, not what happened in 2006.
@Mike: You can use the Bird’s Eye view in the VE API without problems (well beyond the limitations of the API itself).
@Dave: I guess you don’t know what you are talking about then. Light google searches do not add to the conversation as you found out.
LOL, Dave you call the blogger out for being FOS and then when you are “proven” wrong you call everyone a loser.
We all love geospatial technology which is why we follow this blog. Attacking folks like you did is a good way to get called out like you did. Personally I’m glad you are not coming back if that is your attitude.
LOL…..wow, some people!!
I’m glad I had my waist waders on.
Since there is another discussion on Pictometry.
http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/3876-Comparing-Products-to-Google-Earth.html
What is the max resolution of their imagery(outside of VE)? I’ve always heard people can make realtively accurate measurements, like measurements of decks to see whether or not the built deck is within “community standards”. Or is that BS?
KoS
Pictometry images can be integrated with other software programs other than Virtual Earth for a fee and by working directly with Pictometry. Additionally, there is enhanced navigation, measuring tools, know the date and license the images to use outside of the browser session. If you have any questions, please contact your Pictometry representative at the address below:
http://www.pictometry.com/contact.asp
Check out the website for information about Pictometry by going here first -www.pictometry.com and registering for additional information if needed.
geeze, i almost don’t want to poke my head in here :-0 i posted some info about two of the virtual earth related issues I see here on the VE blog
http://virtualearth.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2BBC66E99FDCDB98!11038.entry
Like everybody already said. Google’s behind in 3D imagery.
Can’t wait to see what Live has to offer. I don’t see why people can’t just accept that Microsoft better than Google at something.
.
You’ve proved to me that google earth is a shitty program, i used to fanboy over it because of its Linux compatability, but like this topic, it seems that my fanboyism is about a year old.
On that note, does anybody know what VE’s support is for OS X?
VE supports Safari, but not the 3D views. I’m sure that will change in the next couple months.
By 3D do you mean just pure 3D or the birdseye views.
PS. Sorry for the previous ignorance that I obviously showed, I have been trying to go anti-fanboy for a while, but it seems to show up sometimes without me noticing.
The 3D globe isn’t supported just yet. I’m guessing that will change as Silverlight improves.
Very true, its good to know that something is competing with Flash finally, I’ve always been unimpressed with Flash considering they’re release schedule has not added much functionality to begin with, but i digress.
I was going to go after virtual earth, but then i found Google Maps “Street view”, did not know about that that is very very cool
csá kella google earth3d
I think you’re all a bit gay.
King Regards,
Tom
I had my bitmeter running while using both programs. Google Earth barely used any bandwidth. Just sparse downloading. Virtual Earth was constantly tying up the network.
If most ISPs go to a tiered billing (like 40GB per month), Microsoft’s program uses up a lot of download time.
i’m not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing on microsofts part, more bandwidth might equal better quality…but it can also mean worse compression. Interesting to know though.
James,
Thanks for building and hosting this blog. I am trying to compare MSVE with GE, at a very basic level. Am I confused, or is basic MSVE strictly a pay to play arrangement, where basic GE isn’t ?
Check out this site
http://www.k2vi.com
For 3d GiS and Cad modeling and Pictometry.
[...] Google Earth vs. Microsoft Virtual Earth 3D Revisited [...]
http://www.jonasson.org/maps/
use them both
well google is going to wash out microsoft’s VE pretty soon in the 3d department, as they have a fleet of cars out with SICK laser scanners mounted on them capturing data.
http://www.educatingsilicon.com/2008/04/18/google-street-view-soon-in-3d/
when this is released, it will be so cool.
Before you draw conclusions goto http://maps.live.com, install the 3D pluging, fly down to street level on the strip in Vegas. This combines Street Side images, Trees, real time weather, terrain model and 3D buildings.
Consider that Microsoft can automate this process for every city in the world.
This isn’t the Microsoft of old, there are hundreds of very smart people working to build something pretty amazing.
If you think StreetView is the best there is then you havn’t seen Photosynth, get your own photos automatically aligned and mapped in 3D – and that team has now merged with Virtual Earth, very cool days ahead.