It is Alive in the Lab

Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD relies on the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package

The Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD lets you publish your designs from AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and AutoCAD Map. You can download this extension from:

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/google_earth_extension_beta/

PROBLEM: After downloading and installing, some people encounter a problem when they attempt to publish their designs to Google Earth. They see an error message that AeccDWGToGE.arx (AutoCAD Runtime eXtension) is unable to load.

WORKAROUND: This happens when the extension cannot find all of the supporting operating system capabilities it needs. The Google Earth Extension was developed by the AutoCAD team in C++ using Visual Studio 2005 SP1; hence, it relies on the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package. Users who encounter the problem can update their system DLLs (dynamically loadable libraries) to allow the Google Earth Extension to run by following the steps in the Microsoft article:

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)

Identifying OS dependencies so you can give our technology previews a whirl is alive in the lab.

Updated Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD Now Available

Software Architect, Thomas Inzinga, provided me with an updated Google Earth extension. I have added it to the Autodesk Labs web site. You can read about and download the new version at:

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/google_earth_extension_beta/

This new version is compatible with AutoCAD 2009 and the AutoCAD-based 2009 verticals (AutoCAD Architecture 2009, AutoCAD Map 3D 2009, and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009). Note that Autodesk includes the utility directly with an install of AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009. I mention Civil 3D here, so you know it is compatible, but Civil 3D users do not need to download the utility from the Autodesk Labs site. we are happy to see the Google Earth Extension used for showing buidlings, maps, and roads in the context of their real-life surroundings.

The new version includes support for the new AutoCAD 2009 Geographic Location object as well as several defect corrections. The download is available as a ZIP file that contains separate folders for 2007, 2008, and 2009-based products. You pick the installer in the folder that matches your AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based product.

So place your CAD models in Google Earth and show us the results. We'd love to hear from you and see your work: labs.acad.google@autodesk.com. Extending technologies to provide additional capabilities to the geospatial industry is alive in the lab.

Under Construction: Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD

We are in the process of updating the Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD to support AutoCAD 2009. I have temporarily removed the pages from the Autodesk Labs site. I will make the installer available for download when we have completed the update. Stay tuned.

Updated Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD now available

An updated version of the Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD is now available on Autodesk Labs.

Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD

Software Architect, Thomas Inzinga, reports the following improvements in this new version:

• Added support for AutoCAD® Map 3D 2008.
• Added support for map projections when using the extension with AutoCAD® Civil 3D 2008 or AutoCAD® Map 3D 2008.
• Added tool tips for displaying time span data attached to AutoCAD entities.
• AutoCAD® block references are now published without the need to explode them.
• Included a number of minor defect corrections.

Thomas also notes that he will be teaching a class on this labs tool at AU, Publishing DWG Data to Google Earth (GD405-1). So download it now, try it, and tell us what you think: labs.acad.google@autodesk.com.

Extending technologies to provide additional capabilities to the geospatial industry is alive in the lab.

Google Earth Publishing Extension for AutoCAD 2008 Products

Product Line Manager, Eric Stover, reports that the technology preview of the Google Earth Publishing Extension has been updated for the AutoCAD 2008 family of products. We are happy to share it with you via Autodesk Labs.

Google Earth Extension Technology Preview

The Google Earth Publishing Extension is designed to specifically meet the needs of Architects, Designers, and Engineers using Autodesk products. Using the easy-to-use, wizard-driven interface, you can publish your 3D models directly from AutoCAD into Google Earth. You can obtain a copy of Google Earth from the Google web site. Please review your Google Earth license agreement for usage rights. Under their current license agreement, Google Earth Pro is the only product currently supported for image capture. You will need version 4.1 or later of Google Earth for the publishing extension to work.

Check it out!

P.S. Shaan Hurley reports that the ObjectARX does not autoload the extension as the Readme implies. Shaan had to load the CUI as a partial CUI, and then all worked fine. We are looking into this.