Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year Everybody! Enjoy this model from the user "Google 3D Warehouse":

One Times Square is the name of the building in Times Square upon which the famous New Year's Times Square Ball drop is performed annually. It was originally designed by Cyrus L.W. Eidlitz and James C. Mackenzie, Jr. and built by the New York Times in 1904 as a headquarters for their operations. Upon completion, the 25 story, 395 ft (120 m) skyscraper was acknowledged as the second tallest building in the world.

Time To Track Santa!

It's time to track Santa on Google Earth in real-time. I'll be keeping my eye on him all day! Merry Christmas... http://www.noradsanta.org/

UPDATE: Santa was just spotted over the Great Wall of China! (see below!)

Santa's Workshop

EDIT: Well the experiment was a success and Christmas has been saved by people all over the world. Santa's got a new workshop. The model has reached the maximum allowed 25 revisions. Last-minute changes include transparent windowpanes-- a stack of gifts-- snowmen-- reindeer-- flying letters to Santa-- and the Aurora borealis. Thanks to all who participated-- see you around the Island-- and Merry Christmas!

Request New Building Maker Cities

Nicole over at the Google SketchUp blog informs us that there are now 109 cities with Building Maker imagery! New cities with imagery include Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the Hague, Netherlands.

Check out the post to see what else is new, or go straight to Building Maker to see the whole list of cities.

Don't see yours? Never fear! There is a Google Moderator forum for you to vote on what new cities should be made Building Maker-ready, and also to make suggestions of your own. Check that out right HERE.

Are You a Super Modeler?

3D modelers across the world: Please welcome the newest Super Modeler, TANG!

Chosen by public vote based on his awesome 3D models, TANG (aka Tang Huang) is the latest 3D geo-modeler to join the elite ranks of the Super Modelers!

As a Super Modeler Tang now has access to the Super Modeler forum and web site and his models are featured in a special collection. Additionally, Tang's model preview page is now graced with the Super Modeler badge.

Other perks and surprises await him as well if past experiences of other Super Modelers are anything to judge by...

Welcome once again Tang!

Are you a Super Modeler? Nominate yourself HERE!

Terracotta Warriors

Check this out. Geo-modeler J.A. Alvarez pointed out to me a nice series of models he made-- the housing for the famous terracotta warriors in Shaanxi province, China.

The figures, estimated to be about 8000 in number, date from over two thousand years ago and were discovered by farmers accidentally in several buried pits in the 1970s.

More models can be seen HERE and HERE.