Google Earth in MicroStation

Hi.

Just checked the Microstation CONNECT capabilities:

1. In Google Earth, define points that you can match to your design later
2. Save the points/places as a .kmz file
3. In Microstation, choose your correct Coordinate System (under Utilities --> Geographic)
4. Open 'Define Placemark Monument' tool (Utilities --> Geographic) and browse for the .kmz file
5. Match the 'Active Placemarks' from the .kmz file to the corresponding points on the design
6. Zoom to the perspective you desire in the design
7. Select 'Synchronize Google Earth View'
8. Ensure the view and perspective is correct in Google Earth
9. Back in Microstation, select 'Capture Google Earth Image' (Utilities --> Geographic)
10. It should add an image to the design with the size and perspective of Google Earth, but correct to the given points
11. Display the image by changing the Display Style to something other than Wireframe

Unfortunately it's not live, it's not in colour and it seems the resolution is fixed. Would be nice to be 'live' when zooming, and in colour.

Either way, we've used it to add some Google Earth maps as background to our designs, so hope it helps.

Regards

Loftey

The additional Red instructions below explain how to replace the B/W image with the full color image at highest resolution available from Google Earth.

1. In Google Earth, define points that you can match to your design later
2. Save the points/places as a .kmz file
3. In MicroStation, choose your correct Coordinate System (under Utilities --> Geographic)
4. Open 'Define Placemark Monument' tool (Utilities --> Geographic) and browse for the .kmz file
5. Match the 'Active Placemarks' from the .kmz file to the corresponding points on the design
6. Zoom to the perspective you desire in the design
   1. In Google Earth Pro go to File>Save>Save Image. This opens the settings for saving the current Google image, at the top of the Google Earth view.
   2. Set the Map Options and Resolution as you wish, but do not close the settings, as that will change the aspect ratio of the Google Earth view window. 
7. Select 'Synchronize Google Earth View'
8. Ensure the view and perspective is correct in Google Earth
9. Back in MicroStation, select 'Capture Google Earth Image' (Utilities --> Geographic)
10. It should add an image to the design with the size and perspective of Google Earth, but correct to the given points
11. Display the image by changing the Display Style to something other than Wireframe

1. 1. Now go back to Google Earth and without manipulating the view, Click on the Save Image... button at the top of the view to save the current view in color.
   2. In MicroStation, to swap the color image for the B/W image, keyin "material attribute show" and click on the mesh to query the material.
   3. In the Tool Settings dialog double-click on the material preview to edit the material.
   4. In the Material Editor click on the Pattern Map icon to open the Map editor
   5. Click on the magnifying glass to browse to the color image you saved from Google Earth.

Now update the view window to see the new color image on the mesh. 

HTH,

Ron