As you probably know by now, if you are not a complete internet recluse, Google is now much more than just a search engine. They keep comming up with new and really cool stuff and buy up companies which have made interesting products. A couple of their most recent aquisitions are by now amongst my favourite computer toys; Google Earth (previously Keyhole) and SketchUp. If you have not yet downloaded and tried these two applications I strongly reconmend that you do. Google Earth is a map of the earth which you can browse like you were spinning a globe. It is much more powerfull that just that but I wont go into too much detail here, let it suffice to say that trying out this tool is an absolute MUST. SketchUp is a 3D design tool that makes drawing houses and other real life objects very easy. Its fun to work with, altough design newbies like my self just end up designing houses that look like space ships. Dont blame the tool though for the tool is great, it’s just the designer that isnt.
The coolest thing though was when Google brought those two together and made it possible to publish your 3D building from SketchUp in Google Earth! Now you can draw up the house you live in, or the house you would like to build and view it in the context of where in the world it is meant to be. Needless to say, I have drawn up and placed “Our house”, or rather the appartment we currently live in. Go here to see the result. Click on “View in Google Earth” and you will see exactly where on earth we live. If you have been missing out on the latest and greatest from Google, make sure you go and get “Google Pack“. It is a bundle with the latest tools and an updater to keep them fresh for you.
* Our house [1]
