'Virtual Benson Centre' now on Google Earth

People from around the world can now virtually tour the Benson Centre in 3D using Google Earth.

Google Earth is a free software program that goes an extra dimension beyond the popular Google Maps and Streetview applications. Using mapping, hi-resolution photography and satellite imagery, Google Earth offers 3D views of terrain and buildings around the world.

“By adding the Benson Centre to Google Earth, we’re helping to showcase this wonderful new facility to the world,” said Denis Lalonde, GIS Specialist with the City's Municipal Works Department. “Tourism and economic development opportunities are enhanced with every Cornwall building rendered in 3D in Google Earth. The software can also serve as a great planning and development tool as you can visualize proposed developments in 3D. The world is in 3D after all.”

The "virtual Benson Centre" was created by City of Cornwall GIS Assistant summer student, Justin Langlois using SketchUp, a free 3D authoring tool provided by Google. The creation of the model involved taking digital photographs of each surface of the building. The photographs were then applied to a 3D model of the building based upon the actual architectural drawings of the Benson Centre. All told, it took a few work days to complete the model.

The completed model was submitted to Google for review, where, to be accepted, it had to adhere to their strict acceptance criteria. Most of the criteria, including being of correct scale and being of reasonable complexity were easily met, however the model was initially denied acceptance because Google could not prove its existence as it did not show up on their latest aerial imagery. However, City staff provided links to the City website and its comprehensive library of photos detailing the City of Cornwall Media Release 2 construction of the Benson Centre. Once those website links were reviewed by Google in the appeal process, the building was accepted.

To download a free copy of Google Earth, visit http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

The 3D Model of the BEnson Centre can also be viewed and downloaded through the Google 3D Warehouse, at http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

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