Google 3D Map Tiles Integration

Available with the Following Subscriptions: All Subscriptions
Available for the Following Roles: All roles

The cmBuilder-Google Maps integration gives users the option to create Projects with highly realistic 3D map tiles. The addition of the extended surrounding map and horizon makes for an immersive site planning experience! 

💡A few quick notes to be aware of when using this feature:

• Existing Projects: Switching an existing Project's map to Google Maps data may cause issues with your current setup. We recommend testing this change carefully before applying it to existing Projects.
• Custom Terrain: The Google Maps integration does not currently support Custom Terrain, although the base maps are more accurate. This functionality is planned for a future update.

In this article, we cover:

• Turning on Google integration
• Creating a Google 3D map tile
• How to work with a Google 3D map tile
• Display Settings
• Attribution on export 

Please join our Community Forum to share feedback and help us improve this new feature. 

Turning on Google Maps Integration

In order to use Google 3D Tiles the Google Integration must be activated. This setting can be accessed from the homepage by clicking on Company settings (1) then selecting the Integrations tab (2). Locate the Google Integration and turn the integration on (3). This change can only be made by Company Admins. 

Creating a Google 3D Map Tile

Google 3D Tiles can be chosen as an option during the Terrain settings step of 🔗Project Creation; The option follows entering the address and setting the map tile size. In the Terrain settings step there are 3 map modes to choose from: Topographic, Flat, Google 3D Tiles. You can explore the differences of each during this stage via 3D navigation controls, you may zoom, rotate and pan to inspect the map tile in 3D.

• [Existing option] Topographic maps are generated via Mapbox. 
• [Existing option] Flat maps are generated via Mapbox.

• [New] Google 3D Tiles via the Google integration. 
  • The quality of the map will increase as you reduce the size of the blue square - with the highest quality usually around 200m / 650ft and lower. See image/GIF below.
  • Double-click a point on the map to set it as the center point, use the slider to adjust the square size.
  • Google 3D Tiles do not support terrain customization but Excavation operations are allowed within the square. 
• Click Apply and Create Scenario to create the Project. You will be taken into the first Scenario.

How to work with a Google 3D map tile

In order to modify the map terrain with excavation or remove default map objects like buildings and trees, a Site Condition will need to be created. A Site Condition is essentially "a piece of the map" for a Project with a 3D Google map type. Once a piece of the map is captured as a Site Condition, it can be used like any other object. 
 

There are multiple ways to start the creation of a Site Condition:

1. Extract from Terrain: Go to Terrain → Extract Site Condition (1) to define the area you want to trim.

2. Create from the Tree: Add a new Site Condition directly under the Site Condition node in the tree (4).

3. Automatic Creation: A Site Condition is automatically created per excavation to match the excavation boundary. Go to Terrain → Earthwork (2) and choose an operation from the Add Operation tab (3).
   
   
    

4. When manually creating a Site Condition you will need to define the area by creating a sketch. Click in the map to set the sketch elevation and sketch the area you want to extract as a Site Condition. Click confirm to finalize the Sketch.
   
   
    

5. The area you draw will be removed from the terrain, and a new Site Condition will appear in the tree. It’s hidden by default, but you can choose to reveal and sequence it in any milestone from the timeline section in the side sheet.
   
   

💡Note: When you create an Earthwork Operation, a Site Condition is automatically generated in the tree and in 3D. Excavation actions create these Site Conditions to move terrain or map objects out of the way. Auto-generated Site Conditions can be edited to allow for modifications and sequencing. 

Display Settings 

Google 3D Tile maps extend far into the horizon, with reduced quality outside of the project site. There are settings to deactivate, darken or delineate between the extended map and project site. These settings are available separately for site plan edit mode and presentation mode.

1. In Settings (1) deactivating Extended Map Display (2) will hide the area surrounding your project site.
2. In Settings (1) use the slider (3) to Darken the Extended Map to help focus attention on the project site. A lower value = lighter, while a higher value = a darker, more subdued extended map.
3. In Settings (1) users will find an option to Display the Map Boundary Line (4) that separates the work site from the extended map area. Displaying the boundary helps focus attention on the project site.

 

Attribution on Export

When using cmBuilder to create and export content intended for public distribution you may need to include proper attribution. The attribution may be required because exports include the Google logo and Google satellite data source information. An option to display an attribution to Google can be included for the following export types: Share Links, Current View Export, Presentation Slide Exports and Presentation Video Exports. The location to turn this option on varies slightly for each type of Export. The below image displays the option for Presentation Slide Exports.