![]() One of the Microsoft people interviewed said the company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in technology for Virtual Earth. I’m sure Microsoft’s 3D building technology will enable more cities to be developed rapidly. And, I like the bird’s eye view photos as well. I’ve been expecting Microsoft to release something for months. The installation process for VE3D is a fair bit longer and has several more steps (especially if you haven’t already loaded. ![]() On my brand new laptop, it takes just a bit longer to load both IE and then the VE3D module than it does to load GE.This is just an opinion, but I think it was tacky deciding to start out with big virtual billboard ads with VE3D’s first public beta release.Also, can you turn off the buildings in the 3D mode? I’d like to see the real photos sometimes instead of the 3D buildings, while still seeing the surrounding terrain in 3D. This is more bandwidth efficient, but negatively impacts the quality of scenery. further away scenery doesn’t load realistic photos). For example, VE3D will load low-res satellite views even when higher res photos are available when viewed at an angle/tilt (i.e. ![]() The level of detail presented in VE3D is often less than it should be.But, I assume it is similar to the ones in Google Earth 4. Having to hold down both the CTRL key and the left mouse button to pan and tilt the view? Why not just make it work with the middle mouse like GE (and other 3D programs)? I haven’t tried the alternative controller interface (gamepads, joysticks, etc.). The interface for moving around the 3D world in VE3D I sometimes found awkward.And, I still think it was very Microsoft-like (and uncool) to only release VE3D supporting IE and not at least Firefox. However, the real question is whether VE3D can be easily ported to other OSes like the Mac or Linux. I’m sure someone will develop plug-ins allowing it to be used in other browsers on Windows. The decision to build VE3D as a modular system is definitely a smart move allowing VE3D to be used as either a plug-in for a browser, or as a separate application.And then everyone would have more photo-realistic 3D buildings. Of course, if VE3D supports 3D KMZ files they would be able to use KMZ-based 3D models from Google’s 3DWarehouse. When someone figures out a way to transfer the VE3D building models over to GE’s KMZ file format, it will of course help all virtual globes supporting KMZ be able to view the buildings as well (assuming Microsoft would allow it). And Worldwind, SkylineGlobe, and soon ArcGIS Explorer, can render textured buildings as well. However, GE 4 is certainly able to display 3D cities with the same or better quality. Kudos to Microsoft for doing this, and I look forward to seeing more cities. The addition of complete cities with photo-realistic 3D buildings is definitely superior to any the built-in cities currently available in Google Earth. VE3D definitely qualifies as a virtual globe, and has some very nice features.Now, since I’ve had a chance to use the new VE3D application for a few hours let me share some more thoughts. Another significant one is coming out soon from GIS software maker ESRI called ArcGIS Explorer. There are several virtual globes out there: NASA Worldwind, SkylineGlobe, EarthSlot, and Celestia – to name a few. After all, if it drives Google, Microsoft and other companies to make even better products and data for free, we all win. Even Microsoft recognizes this (according to at least one of VE3D’s developers).īy the way, I think strong competition from other players in the virtual globe application field will ultimately be to the benefit to all of us wanting to use them. However, VE3D’s first beta is a long way from having the breadth of features developed in Google Earth over the past several years (GE was a product called Keyhole before Google bought it in 2004). I have now had a chance to play with VE3D (on another computer) and I do see some positives. Since I wasn’t able to run the program, I was disappointed, and reacted accordingly. I had expectations that Microsoft’s first release of Virtual Earth 3D would be a big event which would spawn really strong competition between Google and Microsoft. Yesterday I made some initial comments on the new Microsoft Virtual Earth 3D (VE3D).
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