Import GE Buildings that aren't listed in "Nearby Buildings"

[mattagain]

I searched around for info on this topic but didn't come across any discussion of this issue:

I just downloaded SU8 and am trying to use the Nearby Buildings function to populate buildings in my model, but only two buildings are listed as being "nearby." However, in Google Earth, there's a significant wealth of buildings modeled in the area I'm working in. Is there a way to find and import these buildings into my model? Or am I stuck at this point?

The area happens to be surrounding SCI-ARC (a private architecture school in downtown Los Angeles), which is why I think it's been so well modeled. I'd love to take advantage of this resource!

Thanks everyone!

[Gaieus]

You can only download models that are published via the 3D Warehouse AND made publicly downloadable. First, one can prevent people to download the models, second, there are other ways to share 3D (and other) data which is also not downloadable.

Sorry but it seems that you are simply not lucky and there's no other (official/legit) way of accessing that data.

[mattagain]

bummer. thanks for the info.

so there's really no way to get around this? It would be great to even just get access to the models' info to find out how tall they are. what a tease!

[lee3001]

Well, there is one way, but it is not pretty, it is not polite and it is very tedious, and if your not very techy it might even be impossible.

OGLE: The OpenGLExtractor

Download OGLE: The OpenGLExtractor for free. OGLE (OpenGLExtractor) is software package by Eyebeam R&D that allows for the capture and re-use of 3D geometry data from 3D graphics applications on Microsoft Windows. It works as a plugin to the OpenGL DLL Proxy GLIntercept, and outputs 3D .obj files.

SourceForge (sourceforge.net)

OGLE captures OpenGL streams and saves them as a .obj files. If you use it with GE you will get an output which is usable, but to get it to be useful you have to be very patient and enthusiastic. There are many guides around the net for how to use it. It worked for me, I got a whole mountainside neighborhood of buildings successfully from GE to Sketchup. But it was not easy.

[mattagain]

good to know it's possible, but that sounds like waaay more of a headache than i'm looking for. thanks for the feedback.