Data Guidelines

Adding your 3D data to Google Earth and Google Maps is easy and free.

If you have less than 100 models in SketchUp or Kmz (with collada) format, then you should submit the models to the 3D Warehouse directly.

• For SketchUp, use the "Share Model" button from within the SketchUp application to upload the model to the 3D Warehouse. This can be done using the free version of SketchUp.
• For KMZ files, visit the 3D Warehouse and use the "Upload" link in the top corner.

If you have more than 100 models or your files are a different format then .skp or .kmz, you should submit your data to Google Cities in 3D Directly. Please tell us about your data and we will get in contact with you to discuss the options for displaying your data.

The steps for contributing via this manner are:

1. We will review the information you provide and contact you.
2. We may request a sample dataset to review for compatibility.
3. If we determine the sample is workable, you will be asked to agree to terms of service.
4. Submit your data to Google via FTP or other secure delivery option.
5. Provide new and updated data as it becomes available.

Accepted data formats

• Textured 3D building models in any of the following file formats: .kmz (with collada), .skp, .dae
• Non-textured 3D building models in any of the following file formats: .shp, .kmz (with collada), .skp, .dae
• Building footprints (with or without heights): .shp
• High-quality bare earth raster-based terrain and elevation data: .dsm, .dem

Publishing

• All data must comply with our acceptance criteria. If your data is not textured then it can skip the textured criteria.
• For fastest processing please submit .skp, .kmz, or .shp files.
• There are some simple checks you can do on your data to ensure that it will work for our systems before submitting. For .kmz or .dae, ensure that the data will import to SketchUp via the import menu. For .shp, ensure that you include the projection files when submitting.
• Publishing to Google Earth will happen first. The publish to Google Maps and Google Maps for Mobile will take more time. We make no guarantees on the release schedule.