Placing a 3D model in Google Earth

While attending the BC Land Summit in Whistler in mid-May, we were surprised how frequently we were asked about the ability to view a Vectorworks building or streetscape model in conjunction with Google. This prompted us to create this newsletter's Tips and Tricks topic, exporting a Vectorworks model to Google Earth. It's possible to place a model at precisely the latitude and longitude of a real-world site, and move through space in Google Earth seeing the model in situ. This is especially interesting if you're working on the design for a site in a built-up urban area, since many cities now have buildings in their downtown cores already modelled, allowing you to see the surrounding context instantly. Of Canadian cities, Vancouver appears to have the most developed model, with almost all of the downtown peninsula in place. Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto also have fairly complete downtown cores. And by the way, if you don't have Google Earth, you can download it for free.

To place your own model in Google Earth, use the following steps. Note that to do this you need to own one of the Vectorworks Design Series packages.

Create your model in Vectorworks. On the simple end of the scale, this could be as easy as making extruded rectangles for a simple massing model. The Massing Model Tool is also a quick and effective method of creating a streetscape. If your design is already more detailed and drawn with wall, door and window objects, so much the better.

If you don't know the exact latitude and longitude of your site, do the following:

• In Google Earth, choose Add > Placemark.
• Move your pin to the desired location. Choose a spot you'll be able to match to a point on your Vectorworks model. We've put ours at the site of the Pacific National Exhibition, since having a model home at the PNE is a longtime tradition.
• Note the latitude and longitude.

In Vectorworks, do the following to prepare your model for export:

• Make sure that the exterior of your building is coloured, as textures won’t be brought into Google Earth.
• Set unneeded layers with interior objects to invisible. Otherwise this could result in a bigger file that will deteriorate performance in Google Earth.

Now export the model:

• Choose File > Export > Export KML (3D only)
• Select Set Reference Point to Next Mouse Click.
• Fill in latitude and longitude based on the info from Google Earth. To make entering the values easier, you can enter values in the format 123d2m14s to represent degrees, minutes, seconds.
• Page North and Z Height Offset is available when needed. Page North takes in the angle between the drawing’s Y-axis and true North. Positive angles turn the drawing clockwise.
• Set to include all visible layers, and make selections for the type of objects that will be exported as appropriate to your model.
• Once you click OK, the dialogue box will close. At this point you will need to mark the Reference Point with a single click.
• Save the .kml file.

To bring the model into Google Earth, choose File > Open and select the .kml file. The model will automatically be placed at the location you've chosen. Have fun!