Since Google Inc. acquired “Earth View” from Keyhole in 2004, Google created a piece of professional cartography software that everyone and their grandmother can use, and play until they are four hours later and still looking for where your next cousin twice removed lived three decades ago. With its new release, Google has made the most recent past even better.
For those unfamiliar with the software, the Google Earth Maps software is brought to the next level. The interface is the actual land, you can zoom in and see your house, and maybe even your car! Re-orient the maps in any way imaginable, by panning, rotating and zooming. Google also shows topography in some areas, and three-dimensional buildings in some major US cities.
In the most recent release of Google Earth, version 4, it has made some definite improvements to make it more enjoyable and steal more of your time. Perhaps the most entertaining updates include the ability to place historical maps over sections of the globe and view the world in the fourth dimension of time. But the software can leave roads and buildings with existing roads and buildings so it can compare what it is now and what it was before. Maps provided to Google by the David Rumsey Map Collection. One such map included in the program is a map created by Lewis and Clark Expedition. Additional maps not listed in the program are available from David Rumsey’s website.
Another new inclusion is its greatly improved printing capability. The new printing module allows users to print up to 4800 pixel images, which is approximately 11″x17″ on paper. Users can also print search results, folders of location information, in addition to a three-dimensional view and maneuvers.
Users in the Japan region have also benefited greatly from version 4. The software now has full Japanese language support and map data for the Japan region. This means that where users only saw three-dimensional images before, they can now see overlays of businesses, roads, schools, borders and much more.
The Google Earth interface has received two minor tweaks in its latest version. Google has created new icons for pushpin and user interface, featured content layer, new image overlay interface, and new KML folder options.
Several other minor features are included in this update, such as high-definition video creation improvements for the version, performance improvements, system coordination needs optimization, increased push directions and support for web service design.
In the new version, Google has added several improvements to the interface and additional features. Google Earth makes a great deal of software even better.
Report:
- Google Earth (Official Website) Google Earth (Wikipedia) Geographic map with the world on Google Earth (SEW
