Google Earth Blog seems to think it is really cool (well, Frank has to.. Google fanboi ) to get a 3D model of a building from Google Earth… well, it is kinda cool.  Well, ok.. the process is cool.  I have had a chance in the past to use a 3D prototyping machine,  I have an airplane in a box somewhere to prove it..

But really.. it is only a 3D model of a building you can get.. and to be honest.. for me that is not something to get all that excited about.  Professionals already have companies that create 3D models for them.. so this really is geared to the general GE user.  What I would like to be able to get is a 3D model of land from Google Earth.  But I highly doubt that will ever happen.. If Google “can’t share” the imagery outside of GE/Gmaps.. no way they will let someone print out an accurate 3D model of it.

You can do that with WWJava and LandPrint by the way. I covered that in May of ‘08.

I found this out while going through the JavaOne WWJava power point presentation.  LandPrint.com is an interesting commercial enterprise, they are creating 3D models of the earth and make use of WWJava as the way the user selects what they want to have created.

Now you can create custom 3D models of your favorite places. Through the magic of 3D printing, personalized replicas of vacation spots, journeys and natural wonders.  LandPrints are three-dimensional models of the Earth’s surface. They’re 4-6 inches wide and made of a porcelain-like material.

The prices for a model range from $24 to $50, depending on the size (4″, 5″ or 6″ square) plus shipping.

For me, the more interesting part is the tools they use to create the models, would love to have a 3D printer and the modeling software.

Default view after the application has loaded.  You can select the imagery on the left, Landsat, Topo (US) and high res of California.

In this view I used the Topo imagery and zoomed down to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.  The red box shows the selection that will be used for the 3D model.  you can also change the exaggeration of the 3D view with the slider.  You can also add GPS tracks and have them included on the 3D model.

This is the preview window of what your model will look like.