3D Warehouse models available in COLLADA file format
March 31st, 2009 | Published in Google SketchUp
We're happy to announce that we're changing the way we serve COLLADA and Google Earth files from the Google 3D Warehouse. Currently, Google Earth files in the 3D Warehouse are simple 'wrappers' around COLLADA 3D model files, and up until now, we've simply provided the COLLADA (and consequently, the Google Earth) files that SketchUp has produced. Unfortunately, this meant that any problems that existed in SketchUp's exported files persisted and caused everyone some major headaches.
As a result, we've changed things so that soon after upload, we generate the COLLADA/Google Earth file on the server using the provided SketchUp file. What does this mean? First, you'll find more models that do load properly when you follow the "View on a 3D map" link. Next, every model in the 3D Warehouse will now be available in the COLLADA format. Finally, you'll find that the COLLADA and Google Earth files are more compatible with Google Earth, the Google Earth plugin, and other 3D applications that are COLLADA-compatible (like Photoshop). You'll have to wait until our systems can convert your SketchUp file before you'll find the Google Earth and COLLADA files available for download, but this process shouldn't take more than a few hours. Please let us know if there are questions or comments about this change.
As a result, we've changed things so that soon after upload, we generate the COLLADA/Google Earth file on the server using the provided SketchUp file. What does this mean? First, you'll find more models that do load properly when you follow the "View on a 3D map" link. Next, every model in the 3D Warehouse will now be available in the COLLADA format. Finally, you'll find that the COLLADA and Google Earth files are more compatible with Google Earth, the Google Earth plugin, and other 3D applications that are COLLADA-compatible (like Photoshop). You'll have to wait until our systems can convert your SketchUp file before you'll find the Google Earth and COLLADA files available for download, but this process shouldn't take more than a few hours. Please let us know if there are questions or comments about this change.