Getting Rid of PNG Halos in Google Earth

Modeler Aerilius says the pesky "halos" around your PNG transparency textures in Google Earth can be eliminated by grouping sections of the SketchUp model separately. Read more here.

In the model above I tried this technique to avoid the PNG railings I had created from "burning through" the rest of the building. It helped!

I also replaced transparent JPEG window textures with PNG files so that the interior can be seen through the windows. The transparent bucket colors in SU are JPEGs and don't appear transparent in GE.

I placed this model in these 3D model collections: Disney and PIXAR, Models By Zoungy, Zoungy Google Earth Models, My Favorite Models, BIG STUFF

Walbridge Barn

Check out this colorful and unusually shaped barn, modeled by Jean. Wonderful geo-models like this allow us to explore buildings we might otherwise never encounter!

I've added this excellent geomodel to quite a few model collections: 1880s, Colorful Places, My Favorite Models, My Favorite Thumbnails, Museum, Barn and Farm

St. Basil Re-Modeled

Arrigo Silva's beautiful model regains top spot and its place on Google Earth after some dramatic improvements from fellow modeler Peterg / gipuzkoa3d.

I have added it to these 3D model collections: Place of Worship, 1840s and Earlier, My Favorite Models, My Favorite Thumbnails

EDIT: A detailed illustrated essay about the cathedral by Arrigo Silva can be found here

St. Mark's Basilica in Venice

A remarkable model of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, newly added to Google Earth by Antonino G. Video tour HERE. I have added it to these 3D model collections: Favorite Thumbnails, Place of Worship, My Favorite Models

Hurray For Hollywood

According to a BBC News article, the famous Hollywood sign has been saved from redevelopment. Now the hilltop where the icon "lives" will remain protected and in its natural state. A Chicago-based group had considered plans to develop the hilltop as an exclusive residential neighborhood.

I've added this model to the following 3D model collections: Favorite Thumbnails, Around the World in 3D, Americana, My Favorite Models

Banking In Style

Beautiful new model from Chris Dorreman of Antwerp. I included it in these 3D model collections: 1870s, My Favorite Models

Gehry + 3Done = WOW!

Check out this amazing model by Super Modeler 3Done. It depicts MIT's Stata Center by architect Frank Gehry. lots of organic forms and tricky textures. Great job!

I've added it to these 3D model collections: My Favorite Models, 2000s

All the SketchUp Ladies: Put Your Hands Up

This has been alluded to in a past post or two, but... where are all the SketchUp ladies?

At the Super Modeler Conference in Boulder earlier this month, nineteen modelers from all over the world convened for three days of fun and discussion.  And every single one of them was male.  Every single one!

Now quite a few of the "Googlers" (Google employees) were female.  So this became a topic of conversation.  Why aren't more women creating geo-models with SketchUp?  We "men" discussed it like pros, tossing around our various theories....