Open Standards for Real-Time 3D Communication

May 05, 2006

This project is an example of integrating Google Earth’s satellite photo interface, pop-ups with an existing X3D or VRML model to explore a location in more detail.  Using this simple technique, the top half of the window features Google Earth satellite imagery and regular information bubbles, while the bottom half of the window shows the X3D or VRML content in a web browser using an X3D plug-in.  There are a few setups procedures in Google Earth to get this to work (currently only runs on Windows).

1. In Google Earth, from the Tools menu, activate the web mini browser.
2. From Tool > Options, make sure you uncheck “Show Web Results in External Browser”
3. Enter http://www.virtual-dundee.co.uk/dundee.kmz into the mini browser address bar
4. If prompted, select Run, so that Google Earth can install the new locations into the left hand Places panel
5. In the Places panel, select one of the locations listed under Virtual Dundee
6. From the info bubble that appears in the Google Earth satellite window, click on the link to view the virtual model in the mini web browser

This simple technique lets you integrate virtual environments into Google Earth without having to convert X3D models to the KML format, so you can use your existing content today.