Today, Google announced the public availability of Building Maker, a simple 3D modeling web tool for adding buildings to Google Earth.

I’ve quickly tried it and I totally agree: Using Building Maker, creating a basic 3D model of a building is easy and a lot of fun, too! I’m really amazed how well and stable this userfriendly AJAX web interface works. Unlike another technical masterpiece, Google Wave, this gem doesn’t seem to be implemented using GWT (Google Web Toolkit). Google Building Maker makes a convincing debut nonetheless.

While creating a (coarse) 3D model of “Wohnhaus Heinrich” in Zurich, Switzerland, Building Maker did neither crash nor did it get confused by any of my editing, despite that the “Wohnhaus Heinrich” is composed of nearly two dozen building blocks (so far). All I noticed was some minor mouse lag now and then, particularly at high zoom levels. Not really an issue.

My 3D model of Wohnhaus Heinrich (preview) is currently in review and just a very coarse draft that needs further refinement. For example, I haven’t modeled the two arcs yet at all. Further, the individual building blocks aren’t really connected yet, from a modeling point of view.

Wohnhaus Heinrich, Zurich, Switzerland

Based on this quick review, I have two feature requests: Please add a copy/cut/paste feature and provide a more convenient way to create rounded objects (like arcs, cylinders) than through manual polygonal approximation. Further, having a broader choice of shapes would further speed up the modeling process.

BTW Another great rapid 3D modeling tool (but aimed at professionals): CityEngine by local Zurich startup Procedural.