Google Maps launches detailed 3D landmarks

The 3D representations of buildings in Google Maps have been enhanced, with more than 1,000 landmarks across the world available to check out in detailed imagery. The new renderings look more like the real buildings with shadows and smoother curves, but they’re available just in Google Maps online for now.

Some of the notable improved sites include Nelson's Column, the Piazza del Duomo in Florence, Italy, the Burj Khaifa in Dubai, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the White House, and the Petronas Towers (pictured) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Google Maps GL, which is the in-browser hardware-accelerated 3D graphics version of the service with smoother transitions between imagery, is yet to receive the updated 3D landmark renderings. Paul Messmer, a Google Maps software engineer, said that the feature will be available soon on Google MapsGL. There was no mention though on when this would be available on the mobile versions of Google Maps.

Messmer believes the improved 3D rendering will be of particular use to tourists: “It's much easier to get a sense of your location by simply comparing the shapes of buildings on the map to what you see out your window. By combining 3D buildings with other Google Maps features like Street View and driving directions, you'll have the most advanced ‘tourist map’ on the planet.”

Google has been on a roll in recent months in improving its mapping products. Of note are the 45 degree satellite imagery available in Google Maps, and the Google Earth 6.2 rendering engine update from patchy long-range imagery that smoothes out the quilt of images.