I visit Google Earth with some degree of frequency, usually to scope out places I want to visit or to places I have visited as seen from space.
Anyway, I've noticed there's been a MAJOR improvement in the resolution of many (if not all) of the images. In fact, if it gets much better, we'll be able to read the license plates on the cars in the images.
To whomever is responsible for this improvement ...
Agreed....I was scoping out the location of an Osprey nest and was amazed when I scrolled over and saw a lady walking her dog...pretty cool! And all from space!!
Agreed. I still use my topos, especially out in the field. However, for about 95% of my research I use Google Earth. I recently discovered how to transfer waypoints into my GPS from Google Earth, and it works VERY well. I litterally don't think I'll use my topo software ever again.
If you want to overlay USGS topos, check this out - USGS Topos. I find it very useful to "blink" back and forth between topos and sat imagery.
And for fun, check out the 3D buildings. They've done auto 3D rendering based on imagery in many neighborhoods - yes, your house in (rough) 3D, mine has been done.
I'm also a big fan of Google Earth. It is very useful for scouting shots. The only problem is, it adds shots to the "to do list" much faster than you ever have time to take them.
Since 3D buildings were mentioned by Scott, I want to pass on a note - A recently released version of Google Earth (version 7.0.2.8415) can overload the assigned 2 Gb cache and fill out the C: drive leaving you stuck. I recall 3D was a triggering mechanism in this bug.
Discussion
5 repliesAnyway, I've noticed there's been a MAJOR improvement in the resolution of many (if not all) of the images. In fact, if it gets much better, we'll be able to read the license plates on the cars in the images.
To whomever is responsible for this improvement ...
And for fun, check out the 3D buildings. They've done auto 3D rendering based on imagery in many neighborhoods - yes, your house in (rough) 3D, mine has been done.
Since 3D buildings were mentioned by Scott, I want to pass on a note - A recently released version of Google Earth (version 7.0.2.8415) can overload the assigned 2 Gb cache and fill out the C: drive leaving you stuck. I recall 3D was a triggering mechanism in this bug.
Otherwise, awesome!