Topic: Importing Google Earth Image/Surface

[SomeCallMeDave]

Great thread.   Thanks Guys.

I just installed C3D2008 and didn't know it had this capability.  But the procedure Jeff outlined worked fine for me.

[Guest]

I'm guessing that > >this< < is probably my problem with GE.   :realmad:

[Jeff_M]

Yep, makes sense to me. Can you manually copy that folder structure to where it belongs and be on your way?

[Guest]

Yep, makes sense to me. Can you manually copy that folder structure to where it belongs and be on your way?

The problem is all of our application data is redirected to a server, when GE wants it to be in C:\Documents....  From what I've been reading online, it seems the folks at Google hard-coded some lines which makes it (GE) throw a hissy-fit (yeah... I wrote "hissy-fit") if the app data isn't located on the C:\ drive.

[mjfarrell]

This all worked well and good for me, right up until I turned on some contours, and did a few quick sections. Then my confidence i the data went out the window.  Best for preliminary work, I wouldn't advise any design decisions be made from it.

[sinc]

Yep, we've already seen a lot of engineers get into trouble because they use the local city government's topo maps to design a project instead of getting a survey done.  They think they're saving money by cutting out the topo, but in 4 out of 5 cases they end up with problems that cost a lot more to fix than the topo survey would've cost.  We're completely baffled by engineers who do this, since we've seen some of them get bitten repeatedly and not change their ways.

We're expecting to see something similar any day now, where the engineer used GE data to design a project instead of getting a "real" survey done...

[dfarris75]

What boneheads.

I've tried this feature and it works fine, however, yesterday I zoomed to a project site where the extents of the site were in the GE window and did an import image and surface. Then after analysis and comparison with the actual survey topo data and also USGS dem data I zoomed out a little in GE so I could do a comparison of a larger area with the USGS dem. The first GE surface I imported was different than the second one in our project area. I had figured that the project area would have had the exact same appearance. This scares me, especially if anyone is using it for design purposes. Does GE change the topo/contouring with different zoom levels? The USGS dem was actually a little closer (as far as average elev) to what the survey data shows, but it's even a good deal different. I'd say go with the USGS dem if you must do preliminary design work.

I think that using GE for importing an image would be best use and leave the surface out of it.

[Guest]

This scares me, especially if anyone is using it for design purposes.

What scares me is someone who uses that for design purposes.  Use a legit surveyor and make sure you've got it right!

We've only used it for schematic purposes; just to get a rough idea of what the site is like.  For final docs, we get a survey from the client (if we can).  If not, we use the best information we have available and make note of that on the drawings.  For utilities, we'll put some type of VIF notes on there or something about the owner hiring a qualified utility locating company to verify the locations/types of utilities out there.

[jpostlewait]

Some additional info about uses of GE.

http://www.civil3d.com/2007/03/even-google-has-its-limits/

[Mark]

FYI I removed the few posts about the above link.

[jpostlewait]

Thanks Mark.
I really don't try to pee in anybody's cheerios and I try not to be anybody's fluffer.
Just a place I take a brain dump in the hope that it helps.