Brian Flood has a detailed post describing some of the new features of the latest Arc2Earth beta where it can embed Virtual Earth’s 3D globe in ArcMap. Now Arc2Earth has benefits beyond just creating web mapping from ArcGIS, but creating layouts that include 3D views (check out this screen shot to see what this means). I know a ton of my friends who do cartography with ArcMap are excited right now. We’ll have to see what folks start doing with this new ability to produce 3D maps with ArcMap.
20 responses so far ↓
1
Brian Timoney
// Nov 27, 2007 at 10:30 am
On November 14th, ESRI announced the availability ArcGIS Data Appliance that would provide users with terabytes of imagery and street data that an organization would host internally.
Now users can grab terabytes of pre-rendered 2D and 3D content from Virtual Earth and overlay their own stuff in ArcMap using Arc2Earth with exactly zero extra data management overhead?
Wow, a business model that was viable for less than two weeks–the latest proof of sweeping dynamic change in the industry, eh?
Brian
2
Lefty
// Nov 27, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Whatever you do Brian, NEVER sell out to ESRI. This stuff is exactly what we need.
3
Gretch
// Nov 27, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I’ve got to get a copy of A2E in the new year. I’m probably going to dump our ArcPublisher extension (since we never us it anymore) and pick up A2E.
4
James Fee
// Nov 27, 2007 at 12:19 pm
@Brian: While I don’t know the cost of the ArcGIS Data Appliance, I’m pretty sure it will be much more than the licensing costs to use Virtual Earth in a production setting.
I’ve got to get with our Microsoft folks and figure out what licensing we need to use this stuff with our production mapping.
5
Mangocrate
// Nov 27, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Even if you license VE properly, I don’t think that A2E can be deployed in a ArcGIS Server/IMS environment, whereas the Appliance can.
Apples & potatoes I think. Yes - they are both food, but serve very different purposes.
6
KoS
// Nov 27, 2007 at 1:12 pm
James…unoffically your name is Jay now.
http://virtualearth.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!2BBC66E99FDCDB98!10046.entry
@Brian….great work.
KoS
7
Jack Dangermond
// Nov 27, 2007 at 2:08 pm
@Mangocrate // Nov 27, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Simple solution, use MapDotNet Server with Virtual Earth instead of AGS/IMS. Buy a new BMW with the cash you save in one year.
8
geofumadas
// Nov 27, 2007 at 4:06 pm
It´s a great functionallity, even we don´t understand how this is an old, and by $0.00 plus in Manifold.
http://galvarezhn.cartesianos.com/2007/11/20/como-conectar-un-mapa-con-google-earth/
9
Tim Maddle
// Nov 27, 2007 at 4:54 pm
This entry inspired me to look at one of my MapServer VE overlay projects in 3D mode over the metro area and all I can say is “WOW!”. Microsoft is kicking butt.
10
licensing?
// Nov 27, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Not meaning to be a wet blanket or anything as this is (A)really cool and (B)very useful, but can someone explain the licensing to me? I mean, I seem to recall others (Manifold immediately jumps to mind) that got kind of yelled at when 3rd party tools came out that allowed this kind of thing to be done in their software… Just wondering.
11
Doug
// Nov 27, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Does anybody read EULA’s anymore or do we all pretend that data is free for use however we want to use it?
If I recall, didn’t Manifold have some issues with their internet layer and a visit from Microsoft’s lawyers? Sure you can view this data in ArcMap, but without a license you are risking a lawsuit.
12
Guido from Boston
// Nov 28, 2007 at 6:41 am
Funny thing… I was at a presentation a couple of weeks ago when I saw an ESRI representative show this kind of functionality within the next release of ArcGIS. I also wonder about what the legality of publishing maps/images with base data that comes from either Google or Microsoft.
If A2E and ESRI are adding this funcionality are they going to be the ones who will be responsible for the legality of my maps? I seriously doubt that anyone is going to be read a EULA or worried about where their data comes from if ESRI makes this a standard part of ArcMap…
Sorry for the tangent… Still looks cool and I am glad that A2E is doing such wonderful things.
13
James Fee
// Nov 28, 2007 at 6:46 am
Doug, I don’t think anyone here is pretending the data is free.
Microsoft requires a license if you will be using their data for commercial projects, otherwise it is free. Prices depend on your Microsoft licensing agreements so you’ll need to contact your Microsoft rep.
The question is will this data be cheaper than the ArcGIS Data Appliance (yes) or will it be cheaper than the ArcGIS Online (no clue)?
14
Not a lawyer but
// Nov 28, 2007 at 7:18 am
3.
USE OF THE SERVICE. You may use the API to access and use the Service to display Results (as defined below in Section 4) within Your Application. As used herein, an “Application” is a computer program or website owned or controlled by You that uses the Service. You are not permitted to use the API or the Service on any intranet or non-public website, unless You have a MWS/VE Agreement that includes such rights.
————–
“not permitted to use the API or the Service on any intranet or non-public website”
Does this mean that it is legal to use the 3D Control within ArcMap?
Entire VE Terms of Use:
http://www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/product/terms.html
15
Gretch
// Nov 28, 2007 at 7:33 am
I’m pretty sure it is “legal”
Their official blog has an entry about it.
To me it reads that Microsoft has been working with Brian.
16
licenseing?
// Nov 28, 2007 at 1:49 pm
@Gretch:
not disputing anything; but there still may be a difference in how one can legally use this kind of functionality. Internal? External? Commercial or private? Print? IMS? Does one need an additional agreement w/ MS? I don’t mind doing or being limited by any of this, just want to know what I can / can’t do;-)
17
Brian Flood
// Nov 28, 2007 at 1:59 pm
hi all
licensing - yes, you need an additional license from MS to use this functionality. Right now is mimics their Enterprise license which can be purchased for as little as $4K/year (usage based). This may be too high for many single users but spread out over a couple ArcGIS users and its not that much. This would be usable from internal, external and print. From what I hear, there may a user based license in the future as well that would presumably be a lot less
Drop me line if you need more info or a contact at MS to talk to directly. I would recommend contacting MS for special needs, they seem very willing to work with different use cases.
cheers
brian
18
James Fee
// Nov 28, 2007 at 1:59 pm
You need to contact your MS rep.
See Brian’s comment above.
19
Brian Flood
// Nov 30, 2007 at 7:24 am
I created a video that briefly shows this functionality here
20
oakfish
// Dec 3, 2007 at 9:11 am
I’ve been working a lot lately with the Virtual Earth SDK. I’m reading “not permitted to use the API or the Service on any intranet or non-public website” as the only big restriction. As long as my web apps using Virtual Earth are on open websites without requiring login I’m good. I don’t anticipate having to pay anything as long as my website usage isn’t too heavy.
I figure Microsoft will start charging eventually, so soak up the freebie usage while the gettin’ is good.
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