Converting Google Earth lines into 2-D Sketchup Lines?
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Hi to anyone that knows the answer to this question? I am new to both Google Earth and SketchUp and it occurred to me that a useful cross-over feature for these packages would be if you could save an image or current view from Google Earth and then convert it into SketchUp lines? Even if this could not be done in full accuracy, it would be helpful to have the outlines and salient features converted into SketchUp lines from Google Earth, which could then be exported into AutoCAD as a starting point for constructing a drawing. Does anyone know if this is possible? My application is for two dimensional landscaping. Many thanks, Dex.
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I think you can import a GE image into SU either directly or by image capture. Then mount the image on a sketchup surface to use as a tracing guide. I've got a feeling that this may not be what you mean.
Both Google Earth and Sketchup have tutorials that you can search for the relevant issue.It is likely that others will reply with better info.
Best regards,
mitcorb -
Visit the SketchUcation forum about GE and SU here: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewforum.php?f=271
There are tools built in to SketchUp to bring in a georeferenced snapshot directly from Google Earth. You need both products installed, and both must be running at the same time. You set up your view in GE to the location of choice, then use SU to import that snapshot. That is the basic starting point for people who do 3D building models for inclusion in the GE 3D Building layer.
Here's a YouTube video that will explain it much better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMLmfrRsu6M
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Thanks for the help, but I am not sure if I should clarify a bit further. I am aware that SketchUp can capture Google Earth images which are raster based. However I was hoping that SketchUp could also automatically interpret these raster images and break them down into basic lines and shapes, in preparation for exporting into AutoCad. At the moment I am taking a Google Earth image in SketchUp and tracing lines over the salient features with the Line Tool before exporting these lines and shapes into AutoCAD. Would anyone know if there is an automatic way to do this, as I am suggesting, or even if there is another software package out there that could interpet raster images.. I have heard that Raster Design might offer this feature.. is this true?
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Hi Dex,
No, SU cannot trace raster images and then convert them into vectors. There are a couple of applications that can do this but IMO whatever you can import from GE is not good quality enough even for these apps to produce a clean vectorwork and you would probably end up having to clean as much as it would take you to manually input the info.
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Thanks for letting me know.. I still have a wish, like maybe others, for such an application!! Best.
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