SketchUp

Complex models (models with a lot of faces) are rendered slowly in Google Earth. To optimize your models for Google Earth:

1. Take photographs of the structure you want to model, such as the Eiffel Tower.
2. Convert photographs into photo textures optimized for the web:
   • Use PNG or JPG file formats.
   • Use PNG if you need to see through the structure (PNG preserves transparency).
   • Do not colorize your image if it contains transparency.
   • Use a resolution of 720 pixels per inch. Image dimension should be 640x480 or smaller.
3. Create a model that represents the basic form of the structure with the correct dimensions. For example, instead of modeling all of the details of each side of the Eiffel Tower, which could contain thousands of faces, model the general shape of each side. The following image shows a SketchUp model of the Eiffel Tower with minimal faces:



4. Project the photo textures to each of faces of the structure.
1. Select File > Import. The "Open" dialog box appears.
2. Select the file type from the "Files of Type" (Microsoft Windows) or "Format" (Mac OS X) drop-down list (JPG or PNG).
3. Locate your image.
4. Click the Use as Texture button (Microsoft Windows) or select the Use As Texture item from the drop-down list (Mac OS X).
5. Click Open (Microsoft Windows) or Import (Mac OS X). The image appears attached to the cursor.
6. Click on the lower-left corner of the structure to affix the photo texture to the structure.
7. Move the cursor to the opposite corner to affix the photo texture to the face of the structure.
8. Adjust the photo texture. Refer to Position Texture Tool for further information.
5. Project the remaining images on the faces of the model. The following image shows the Eiffel Tower with projected photo textures: