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Chapter 1 It’s a Geospatial World Out There
Chapter 2 deals with numerous concepts related to coordinate systems, reference systems, and projections of a three-dimensional Earth onto a twodimensional surface.
1.7 Other Features of Google Earth
As noted before, you will be using GE for several other labs in this book and
exploring some of these applications of geospatial technology. GE has a multitude of other features beyond those covered in this first lab. For instance, if
you had a GPS receiver (say, one from Garmin or Magellan) you could import
the data you’ve collected directly into GE.
1. From the Tools pull-down menu, select GPS. You’ll see several options
for offloading information you collected in the field (such as waypoints)
from the receiver into GE.
Chapter 4 will introduce you to several concepts related to GPS, as well as collecting data in the field and some pre-field work-planning options.
2. Close the GPS Import dialog box now (unless you have a receiver you
want to plug into the computer on which you can view your data in GE).
There are many other GE layers and features to explore, especially in relation
to how geospatial data is visualized. To look at one of these features, return to
the Badlands once more and do the following:
3. In the Layers box, expand the options for Gallery, and then place a
checkmark in the box next to 360 Cities.
4. Fly back to the Badlands and scroll to the western edge of the park
and you’ll see another symbol on the map—a red circle marked “360.”
Hover your cursor over it and the text should read “Mako Sica aka The
Badlands.”
5. Double-click on the “360” circle. You will zoom down to see a sphere on
the surface, and then the view should dive inside the sphere. The view
will change to a new view of the Badlands (use the mouse to move about
and look around a full 360 degrees). In essence, this tool simulates what
the Badlands would look like from that position, all around you. You
can look in any direction, as well as zooming in or out of places. Answer
Question 1.12. When you’re done looking around, click on the “Exit
Photo” button in the view to return to regular GE. Chapter 15
will present more information about some other cool visualization
techniques for geospatial data.
Question 1.12 How does the 360-degree image of the Badlands aid in
visualizing the scenery (keep in mind this image has been tied to a particular
location)?
Geospatial technology is such a rapidly changing field that new advances
come quickly. Chapter 15 also explores some of these current developments
on the frontiers of geospatial technology.
Chapter 1 It’s a Geospatial World Out There
Chapter 2 deals with numerous concepts related to coordinate systems, reference systems, and projections of a three-dimensional Earth onto a twodimensional surface.
1.7 Other Features of Google Earth
As noted before, you will be using GE for several other labs in this book and
exploring some of these applications of geospatial technology. GE has a multitude of other features beyond those covered in this first lab. For instance, if
you had a GPS receiver (say, one from Garmin or Magellan) you could import
the data you’ve collected directly into GE.
1. From the Tools pull-down menu, select GPS. You’ll see several options
for offloading information you collected in the field (such as waypoints)
from the receiver into GE.
Chapter 4 will introduce you to several concepts related to GPS, as well as collecting data in the field and some pre-field work-planning options.
2. Close the GPS Import dialog box now (unless you have a receiver you
want to plug into the computer on which you can view your data in GE).
There are many other GE layers and features to explore, especially in relation
to how geospatial data is visualized. To look at one of these features, return to
the Badlands once more and do the following:
3. In the Layers box, expand the options for Gallery, and then place a
checkmark in the box next to 360 Cities.
4. Fly back to the Badlands and scroll to the western edge of the park
and you’ll see another symbol on the map—a red circle marked “360.”
Hover your cursor over it and the text should read “Mako Sica aka The
Badlands.”
5. Double-click on the “360” circle. You will zoom down to see a sphere on
the surface, and then the view should dive inside the sphere. The view
will change to a new view of the Badlands (use the mouse to move about
and look around a full 360 degrees). In essence, this tool simulates what
the Badlands would look like from that position, all around you. You
can look in any direction, as well as zooming in or out of places. Answer
Question 1.12. When you’re done looking around, click on the “Exit
Photo” button in the view to return to regular GE. Chapter 15
will present more information about some other cool visualization
techniques for geospatial data.
Question 1.12 How does the 360-degree image of the Badlands aid in
visualizing the scenery (keep in mind this image has been tied to a particular
location)?
Geospatial technology is such a rapidly changing field that new advances
come quickly. Chapter 15 also explores some of these current developments
on the frontiers of geospatial technology.