Microsoft Local Live goes 3D

Currently you'll see an "Introducing 3D maps!" feature on the left hand side of the main page, which allows users to download and install a Virtual Earth 3D (still in beta) plug-in which will inter-operate with the browser when using Live Search.

Speaking to eWeek Stephen Lawler, general manager of Microsoft's Virtual Earth Group, spoke on the creation of the models: "In order to create a textured model of a building, each section of the building needs to be available in at least 40 different photos," Lawler said. "When a plane is flying over a city, each picture needs to overlap the previous picture taken by 90 percent. In order to create a detailed textured model, we take photos from one direction, directly above the city."

He also added that the 3-D models will initially be available globally for major cities and specifically for 15 US cities - San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Detroit, Phoenix, Houston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas and will be expanded at a rate of eight new cities a month until next spring.

You can view the 3D perspectives using your mouse, keyboard, or even an Xbox 360 controller (which work on PCs via a USB connection).

Interestingly, Microsoft will be providing bill-board style advertisements placed in pre-determined places and will be updated with dynamically updated adverts based on what the user is searching for.

The technology seems to work well, with a brief download and setup routine quickly getting the user up and running.

Restarting your browser and heading over to http://local.live.com/ will then allow you to enter an address and zoom to the position on the map. Clicking on the 3D view icons will give you 3D models where available, all zoomable and pannable using your chosen input device.

The models primarily appear blocky and unattractive, but are quickly filled with more and more detail as the browser grabs texture info, decompresses the data, and applies it to the view. Overall its very effective, and could be of some use navigating tricky city areas that are immensely built-up.

The UK seem to be lacking models at the moment, with London giving a rather dismal showing in places:

But some US cities are looking quite spectacular, here's a shot of a hotel at Las Vegas, home of our own Eva Glass:

The Live Search service has always been a considerable competitor to Google's Google Maps offering, and quite often you'll find better resolution maps around the UK. Something that has always made the service stand out is the 'Bird's eye view' close-up high-res shots of certain areas, including our own lovely Brighton:

You won't find as many people on the beach in November though. µ