Using map features on Google Earth
One of the greatest reasons for the popularity of Google earth is its powerful mapping. Due to the satellite imagery and maps in Google earth it is possible to reach any desired location within a short time span. To use the Google earth fruitfully and effectively you should know how to make use of the various map controls. Map controls include the terrain, roads, buildings, borders and models. Each of these is present as a separate layer in the layers folder. Together they give us the magnificent view of the planet. Let us have a look at them one by one.
Roads- the road layer includes imagery of everything on the road. This includes important highways, streets and roads in the country. You can find the road layer in the layers folder. Just go to Layers folder and expand the Roads folder. You can now have a control on the display of roads in Canada, US and any other international ones. If road information of a certain region is available, you have to zoom in to a logical distance to see the image clearly. If you are viewing a region that is very large in area, you will see only the major roads and highways. When you zoom in more, you will get to see the smaller streets and roads. If a particular region is not clear, just Zoom In, Zoom Out or adjust the viewer until you get a clearer view.
Terrain- this layer will display the 3D elevation data for a region. Only natural geographical features like canyons, mountains etc are included in this. Buildings are not available to be viewed in terrain. If you want to view a canyon trail etc this feature comes handy. Use the terrain feature by going to the Layers folder and then to Terrain. The Terrain can be adjusted for a clearer view.
Borders- in the Layers tab you can locate the Borders folder. All the borders can be turned on by the Borders checkbox. If you try to expand the Borders folder you will see all these borders. You will see Coastlines, Countries and capitals, State and province boundaries, International boundaries, USA county boundaries and State and province names. To view any data in terrain, you need to adjust the viewer till you get a clear picture. You can see the boundaries of a region with large area. You can see the states or countries in details when you zoom more closely.
3D buildings in Google Earth- you can find the 3D buildings folder in the Layers tab. You can turn the 3D buildings layer to see the buildings. You need to adjust the viewer to a reasonable viewing altitude. If the eye elevation is 10,000 to 12,000 feet, you will see a few buildings. The eye-elevation meter is on the lower right of the 3D viewer. At first the buildings appear to be gray in color. To view the scene in more details, just Zoom In and Out. For a more clearer picture you can use the tilt and navigation tools.
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