University spin-out leads Google Earth first
A SPIN-OUT company from Leeds University has teamed up with search engine Google Earth to produce the first interactive 3D town model to be available via the internet giant's global satellite mapping service.
The partnership between Google and specialist 3D company AMT3D will see online visitors be able to zoom in to Westport in County Mayo, Ireland, from space and explore the town's streets on a virtual tour.
Brendan Hafferty, AMT3D's managing director, said the tool would help Westport to implement its major development plans and enhance the town's appeal as a tourist destination.
It is hoped the system will be used by architects and planners to undertake detailed evaluations of the impact of proposed developments on the existing environment at a much earlier stage than was previously possible.
The model was commissioned by Westport's Town Council's planning department and produced by AMT3D using laser scanning techniques combined with advanced 3D visualisation software.
The technology was originally developed as part of an European Union funded research project.
Peter Hynes, Westport's town centre manager, said: “Westport is a rapidly growing town and we want to ensure that any future development is carefully planned so that we do not spoil what is one of the West of Ireland's major heritage areas.
“In future we expect all planning applications to include a 3D digital visualisation of the scheme that can be incorporated into the master model.
Having it available on Google Earth will be a major step forward in this plan as well as helping to promote the attractions of the town, to a global audience, as a tourist destination and inward investment opportunity.”
Westport's 3D model will be available on Google Earth from tomorrow.
AMT3D specialises in the production of interactive and architecturally accurate 3D digital computer models of the built environment using the latest state of the art long distance laser scanning hardware and software technology.
Although headquartered in Ireland, AMT3D also has offices in Leeds.
The company originated as a spin-off from Leeds University and has close links with the Galway & Mayo Institute of Technology.
