unfair Competition for GE 3d Layer?

[R.Rolfe]

Good day.
I've been building and monitoring all new buildings for Minneapolis,
since *Building Maker* was released. In last Fridays GE 3d layer
approvals round, I've noticed some annoying phenomena.

I notice a bunch of semi-crappy models were approved. I mean they were
good enough, but when I check to see who made them, it's always some
no profile, 1 upload account. In addition, I noticed some building
which were not present in the weeks candidates, just instantly appear
approved.

I'm wondering if something fishy is going on with the model building
and approval dynamic. I've got some really great models waiting in
cue, while some real stinkers were approved faster. Like I said, I've
been monitoring all 3d warehouse uploads. Is there an interest in
approving models made by generic accounts, over those of real users?
And more, can the employees tasked with approving models just go ahead
and compete with users by introducing their own creations, thus
coveting credit?

That said, Minneapolis is looking good and I appreciate everyones
work.
Ray

[Google Guide Bruce]

Hello Ray,

Thanks for your post. I can assure you that there is no conspiracy
with respect to processing models, nor is there any preferential
treatment of models reviewed. We employ the "FIFO" (first in, first
out) approach.

As I noted in this post http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2009/10/were-awash-in-building-maker-models.html
we were inundated with models (a good problem to have) and are just
now catching-up. The first wave of models was released last Friday,
and the next wave are in the queue for release this week. As I also
mentioned in the post, we're pretty close to having our heads above
water again, so the turn-around time from publish to review/release
should be back to normal at this point.

If you (or others) find models in the 3D Buildings layer of Google
Earth that you believe do not meet our Acceptance Criteria (http://
sketchup.google.com/intl/en/3dwh/acceptance_criteria.html) we'd
appreciate knowing about them. With the number of models that we
process on a daily/weekly basis it's entirely possible that some that
do not qualify slip through the cracks, and conversely that others
that *should* qualify are mistakenly rejected. We have implemented an
"appeal" feature for the latter, but have no automated way of
identifying the former. You are our eyes!

Happy Sketching.

Bruce

[SnowTiger]

Hello Google Guide Bruce

I have seen some of the Building Maker models which look "okay" but
are far from great. I have seen a few that are downright disappointing
IMO.

So I am wondering, while Google would prefer that there aren't
multiple copies of the same building to have to choose from, what if
one decides to reproduce an existing model using SketchUp rather than
Building Maker ?
Will that SketchUp model be considered as a replacement if it is in
fact a better model ? i.e. More detailed or accurate but still within
Google's acceptance criteria ?

[Google Guide Bruce]

Hello SnowTiger,

Given that Building Maker models are generated using aerial imagery,
it's to be expected that the image quality will not be as good as
models that were developed using ground-based photography. Depending
on the quality of the imagery, some can be "downright disappointing".

So why include them at all you ask? Because the underlying premise of
3D buildings on Google Earth is that it's an evolutionary thing. The
task of modeling the entire planet can be daunting (there's a lot of
buildings out there!), so publishing a model that provides a basis for
someone else to improve makes sense. Doing so provides a starting-
point for someone else to improve it. No 3D building in Google Earth
is static. Any model can be replaced at any time by a better model,
and we replace our own auto-generated models regularly with user-
generated ones.

With respect to reproducing a model using SketchUp rather than
Building Maker....

It's important for everyone to realize that we approach our model
review process with only one thought in-mind... the best model wins.
It's really that simple. No preference is placed on how, or who
created the model. As noted above, we regularly replace our models
with those created by you, our faithful modelers, and we intend to
continue that practice. Our auto-generated models are, well, auto-
generated. Generally speaking they don't have the attention to detail
that a SketchUp or Building Maker modeler will provide.

So yes, if you create a better model for *any* building that is
currently in Google Earth, it will replace the one that is currently
published. Think of it as a giant 3D wiki.

I hope this helps.

Happy modeling.

Bruce

[SnowTiger]

Thanks for the informative reply Bruce

[R.Rolfe]

I agree, that was a greatly informative reply. Thanks Google Guide
Bruce!

[Dave K]

Hi Bruce

I appreciate the intent with these rules but the logic doesn't seem to
be working too well. I'm new to both Building Maker and Sketchup, but
not to Google Earth, and when my home town of Prague was recently
StreetViewed / auto mapped in 3D I played around and created a BM
model of my house. It was pretty awful, so imaging my surprise when
not only did it appear in the Earth 3D layer, but also it wiped out
the rest of the 3D model of the block it sits in! Feeling rather
ashamed I've since learned sketchup and recreated a better version,
but I now can't seem to replace the original with the approved
version.

I've also noticed that some fine models of Prague that used to be
there e.g.- of the Zizkov TV tower, Vyshehrad Castle - have since
been replaced with the auto generated 3D versions. Is that
intentional too?

Regards

Dave