SketchUp 1

Five Apps

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1. SketchUp

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SketchUprnis a free utility that allows you to create 3D models for Google Earth. Thernprogram is basically a CAD tool, and although it offers Google Earth support,rnit can be used to create other types of drawings and 3D models as well. Perhapsrnone of the most useful features is that you can download 3D buildings and otherrnobjects from an online library. Once you do, you can use the model in itsrnexisting form or you can use the drawing tools to modify it.

rnrnCredit: Images by Brien Posey for TechRepublic

SketchUp 2

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SketchUp 3

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SketchUp 4

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RoboGEO 1

RoboGEOrnis a utility for geo tagging image files. Geotagging can be based on GooglernEarth, an NMEA file, a waypoint file, a track file, or any number of otherrnsources. It is also possible to manually enter GPS information. The geo taggingrndata is added directly to the file’s meta data and you are also given thernopportunity to add a title to the image.

rnrnA personal license forrnRoboGEO sells for $79.99, but a free trial is available for download.

rnrnCredit: Images by Brien Posey for TechRepublic

RoboGEO 2

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RoboGEO 3

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RoboGEO 4

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Google Earth KMZ or KML to GPS Converter 1

3. Google Earth KMZ or KML to GPS Converter

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GooglernEarth KMZ or KML to GPS Converter is a tool that you can use to convertrnGoogle Earth data to a GPS compatible format (a .GPS file). The utility allowsrnyou to import the KMZ or KML files that you create with Google Earth and thenrnuse them to build waypoints, routes, or tracks. You can import KMZ files in anyrnorder and arrange the locations in the preferred order before exporting them.

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Google Earth KMZ or KML to GPS Converter sells for $20, butrnyou can perform ten free trial conversions.

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Google Earth KMZ or KML to GPS Converter 2

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Google Earth KMZ or KML to GPS Converter 3

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Google Earth KMZ or KML to GPS Converter 4

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Google Earth API 1

4. Google Earth API

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The GooglernEarth API is a free tool for building onto Google Earth. One of the bestrnparts of the API is the Google Earth Plug-in. You can use this plug in torndisplay Google Earth (and any custom features) within a Web browser.

rnrnThe plug in seems to havernproblems with Internet Explorer 10, but works fine in Internet Explorer 10rnCompatibility View. It is also worth noting that Google provides numerous codernsamples that you can use to add Google Earth imagery to your Web site.

rnrnCredit: Images by Brien Posey for TechRepublic

Google Earth API 2

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Google Earth API 3

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Cache for Google Earth 1

5. Cache for Google Earth

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Cachernfor Google Earth is a utility that allows Google Earth to be used whilernworking offline. Google Earth does offer a built in cache that can be used forrnoffline use, but the cache’s contents can be a little bit unpredictable to sayrnthe least. This utility allows you to save the cache contents while they are inrna predictable state and then retrieve them for later use.

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This utility will likely be useful to those who use Google Earthrnoutside of their office. For example, Irnbuilt a drone that can be GPS controlled. The drone’s position is trackedrnthrough a specialized interface that uses Google Earth maps. The problem isrnthat when I am in the field, there is often no Wi-Fi link available forrndownloading Google Earth imagery. For this type of application, Cache forrnGoogle Earth could potentially be used to make the imagery portable.

rnrnCache for Google Earthrnsells for $19.00, but a free trial is available for download.

rnrnCredit: Images by Brien Posey for TechRepublic

Cache for Google Earth 2

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Cache for Google Earth 3

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