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In Tutorial #1 we learned how to install GE.
In this tutorial we will learn how to navigate around, view in 3D, view in MAP
view, and how to return to 'normal' after getting 'wound up'.
Okay, so I have installedGoogle EarthTM, now what?
Referring to the link to the GE Users Guide (above), pay particular attention to
number 13, the NAVIGATION controls, and lets zoom in on Minneapolis Fire Station #1.
But, I thought you were supposed to be able to see things in a three dimensional
view in Google Earth?
So lets say I have this 3D building, how do I rotate around to see all sides of the building?
So, I have zomed, titled, and rotated around so much, how do I get back to
top down view with North at the top of the page? (What I call, "Getting unscrewed")
What's next?
Okay, so I have installedGoogle EarthTM, now what?
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So, you've installed GE. The next step would be to run (execute) it.
Doing so, after GE 'boots up', you will get a screen similar to this...
You have a view of the Earth in the center, some 'navigation
thingees' in the upper RH corner, a few 'panels' along the left
hand side, and some typical Windows menus across the top, and a few
GE specific icons along top top edge of the 'earth' window. What
are they all about, and whats important about them?
Well, they are all important, but a few are more important than
others.
First take an overview look at 'big picture' with a look at part
of the GE Users Guide at THIS LINK which gives an overview the the main controls,
panels, and menus.
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Referring to the link to the GE Users Guide (above), pay particular attention to
number 13, the NAVIGATION controls, and lets zoom in on Minneapolis Fire Station #1.
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First, lets make sure you can see the navigation controls when you desire.
Check the settings you've selected by looking under the VIEW/SHOW NAVIGATION
menu. Select either the AUTOMATICALLY, (the controls will only appear when
your mouse cursor is in the upper right hand section of the screen, or
ALWAYS, (meaning the navigation controls will always be visible).
Also, it will help if the ROADS and the BORDERS AND LABELS choices are
selected in the LAYERS panel like this...
Okay, we're ready to start moving around. You can move left-right-up-down
simply by holding down the left mouse key and dragging to change position. Or, you can also use the left-right-up-down arrow keys on your keyboard. Try it.
You can zoom you view in/out by clickinga and holding the right mouse button.
You can also zoom in/out (I feel this is the best way) by using the center
mouse scroll wheel. Or you can zoom in/out by clcking the plus/minus end
positions of the VERTICAL SCROLL BAR of the Navigation controls.
You may use any or all of these under certain circumstances. It mostly
a user choice.
So, you can change your position to anywhere on the earth, and you can zoom
the view from the whole earth to a view of several feet in distance. Neat.
Okay, lets get a view of the U.S. with Minnesota centered somewhat like this...
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A short video from Google regarding navigation in GE |
Lets zoom in on the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Lets see if you can find the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodrome, where the Minnesota
Twins baseball and the Minnesota Vikings football teams play, located on the southeast edge of downtown Minneapolis...
Okay, but we're looking for Minneapolis Fire Station #1, located Portland
Aveneue and 3rd Street South just a couple of blocks NE of the Metrodome.
Pay attention, because labels for the street names are visible (assuming you
selected ROADS in the LAYERS panel).
Lets zoom in right on MFD Station #1. I've added a PLACEMARK indicating the
station with pushpin and a lable (details on how this is done is the
subject of several upcomming tutorials).
Now that I'm here what else can I do? How about a traditional map view?
Yup, sure can. Just click the VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS icon at the top of
the screen (the one that looks like an open book)...
Then you get a whole new screen in Google Maps which by default is set in
the Satellite view...
You can select normal MAP view...
Or, you can select the map STREET view...
Or, you can select a TERRAIN view, which if you look closely starts to
show the Minneapolis downtown buildings in 3D view...
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But, I thought you were supposed to be able to see things in a three dimensional
view in Google Earth?
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Okay, lets close the Google Maps window, and get back to
the GE window. Lets zoom out a bit till we can see most
of downtown Minneapolis and turn on the 3D Buildings choice
in the LAYERS panel. Then you will get a view similar to this...
Not very exciting, huh?
Well looking straight down from the top view no. We need to TILT our view slightly. Using the horizontally orientated scroll bar in the Navigation tools we can adjust the 'tilt' of our view to something like this...
You can also adjust the tilt by HOLDING DOWN the mouse center scroll wheel and dragging, which also adjusts left-right orientation too. Neat huh. Try zooming
and adjusting tilt to you hearts content.
In most major cities the downtown buildings are shown in 3D relief. However they
are not in full detail.
Many other detailed 3D buildings are obtainable by visiting the Google 3D
Warehouse and browsing the thousands and thousands of 3D buildings
available. Like this one of the Minnesota State Capital Building...
By the way, you DO NOT need to have the 3D Buildings choice enabled in the
LAYERS panel in order to view a 3D building you have downloaded from the
Google 3D Warehouse. Why? Well there are many historic buildings whose
locations no longer exist, and have been replaced by more modern buildings.
If the 3D choice in the LAYERS panel is enabled a 'modern time' building
shown in 3D would cover up the historical buildings location. This allows you
to view both the 'old' and 'new' without interference.
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So lets say I have this 3D building, how do I rotate around to see all sides of the building?
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The Navigation toolbars include a circular bar with an 'N' in it. Grabbing
the 'N' by the mouse and rotating it will rotate your view on the screen.
And, also by HOLDING DOWN the center mouse scroll wheel if you drag
left-right, you will ROTATE. If you hold down the center mouse scroll wheel
and drag up-down you will TILT.
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So, I have zomed, titled, and rotated around so much, how do I get back to
top down view with North at the top of the page? (What I call, "Getting unscrewed")
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Pretty simple. Its a two-step process, order of proceeding is not important.
Step 1... In The Navigation toolbars, mouse down on the LEFT control button
of the HORZONTAL scroll bar (the tile bar) and just keep holding it down
until you get 'untilted'.
Step 2... DOUBLE CLICK the 'N' in the round Navigation tool scrollbar, and you will
return the North facing top of page.
Easy.
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What's next?
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First, there be will be an excersize in SEARCHING. Then I will begin the
BEGINNING BASICS of creating your own PLACEMARK files.
Easy.
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