Maps Models Importer is a set of tools for importint 3D models from wide maps in 3D content softwares. This is a proof of concept containing only a Blender add-on for importing 3D models from Google Maps.
The blender directory contains the source code of the Blender add-on importing captures recorded with RenderDoc:
NB This is an add-on for Blender 2.80 and above, which you can download from here.
Download a release and make a zip of blender/MapsModelsImporter/. In Blender, go to Edit > Preferences, Add-on, Install, then browse to the zip file.
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Start RenderDoc, and
File > Inject into process; -
Start chrome or chromium using specific flags:
chrome.exe --disable-gpu-sandbox --gpu-startup-dialog --use-angle=gl. Do NOT press Ok on the dialog box yet; -
In RenderDoc, search for the chrome process and inject into it;
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Press OK in the chrome dialog;
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Go to Google Maps in satellite view, and take a capture using
Print Screenwhile moving in the viewport; -
In RenderDoc, save the capture as an rdc file
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In Blender, go to
File > Import > Google Maps Capturean choose your capture file.
If you feel lost, I made a quick walkthrough of the addon: https://youtu.be/X6Q7dbtXVZQ
Unfortunately, the inject into process functionality of RenderDoc is not supported on linux. You can still import existing captures on linux, though.
By default, the addon limits to 200 blocks, but if you feel ready to let your Blender hang for a moment, you can increase it.
This is a proof of concept showcasing how the 3D render process of Google Maps can be inspected. This is intended for educational purpose only. For a more in-depth analysis, see Importing Actual 3D Models From Google Maps.
Do not use this for any commercial nor redistribution purpose. Actually, the use of such tool might be allowed for private read-only use, as this is what happens when browsing Google Maps, but not beyond. I do not take responsibility for any use of this tool.
This repository does not provide the required RenderDoc binaries for linux nor for OSX. If you have such a system, build RenderDoc against Python 3.7.0 (the minor version matters) to be compatible with the version of Blender's Python distribution.
To import map data in Blender, this open source addon is very handy: domlysz/BlenderGIS
Here is another attempt at reverse-engineering Google data: retroplasma/earth-reverse-engineering