INTERNET
Putting Westport on the 3D map
08-01-2008
by Stephen Errity
The town of Westport in Co. Mayo is set to be featured as the most detailed 3D model available on the Google Earth digital mapping service.
An interactive 3D model of the town, originally developed last April by local 3D imaging firm AM3TD, is now set to be integrated into Google's digital globe. Google Earth Senior Associate Daniela Brica will visit the town on 16 January for a special event at the Knockranny House Hotel to mark the occasion.
Speaking in advance of the event, Westport's town manager Peter Hynes said: "This is another first for Westport -- a first for Ireland and possibly the world. I'm very proud that our town is playing such a major role in international technology. This is literally putting Westport firmly on the global map."
The 'Westport3D' model was created using long-distance laser scanning technology and digital photography and is the first such model of an Irish town to be created. It was initially developed as an aid to town planning and was made available on the town council's website and on CD-ROM.
AM3TD's director Dr. Brendan Hafferty commented: "The request by Google Earth to host Westport3D is the 'icing on the cake' and something that will without doubt have a tremendous impact with the millions of people who make virtual visits via Google Earth every day of the week."
Besides satisfying the idle curiosity of numerous Google Earth visitors from around the world, AM3TD says the technology has a number of practical applications, including the ability to 'embed' advertising in the model and the possibility for civil engineers and planners to use it for assessing the impact of proposed new development on the existing environment.
The 3D model of Westport will be viewable in Google Earth from the evening of 16 January.
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