Sunday, April 5, 2015

Cartography and Google Earth

Hello All
      Let us continue what we started a couple weeks ago with an introduction to 3D mapping with this post specifically dedicated to Google Earth. This weeks assignment was two fold. Import a map built in ArcMAP into Google Earth, and build a tour of the surrounding region also using Google Earth. The main objectives of this assignment were to do as mentioned above, convert ArcMAP to KML, and to create and share a KML map and tour utilizing Google Earth. The data for this conversion was two fold, my Module 10 data and map, found in the previous Dot Map post, as well as another version of the same provided by the instructor. This lab was completed using a combination of the aforementioned programs.
What enables it all? Well, ArcGIS has tools to convert its data to the KML format that is view able in Google Earth. We've discussed raster and vector data before, and Google Earth takes these and then gives you different functionality for them. Raster data is faster to process and eats less space. Vector data allows for more variation of individual items rather than entire layers. A combination of both was used in this assignment. So lets look at that.


You've seen this map before if you've seen the Dot Map post. However this one is a little more realistic as it is overlayed on top of Google Earth imagery. The same basic features apply, population density data across southern Florida with a few key cities highlighted for reference.

The next big portion of this assignment was to build a tour visiting various areas in the populated regions. Unfortunately the tour itself is not included. However it was relatively simple to create. It involves setting particular views of whatever areas you desire to show and then recording as you move between them. This movement between locations can either be done free hand with the cursor or via set place markers which can have default views associated with them. I have taken two of the more interesting views I found while building my map for your viewing pleasure below.


Here is one of the scenes in my tour, Essentially the camera is parked on top of one of the highrise buildings in downtown Tampa looking west. You can make out a lot of detail here in the 3D mapped area of Tampa. One of the places that I found to particularly highlight the amount of detail you can find in this city is below.


The focus of this scene is just south west of the last image, but looking to the North West instead of straight west. The features that really caught my eye was the multi-story penthouse in the center of this Hilton hotel with the rooftop pool. The specific feature which peaked my interest most was that the detail is so good in this area of the picture that you can see the swimming pools reflected off the glass of the high rise portions of the hotel. Areas with extensive data and imagery overlay can create amazing digital scenery in Google Earth. This was one of the points with this lab. Discover what is possible, and continuing to evolve with mapping. Thank you.

No comments:

Post a Comment