Google has decided to discontinue the Google Earth API – and will turn it off entirely very soon. The current version of our Google Earth import utility depends upon this API, and thus it too will cease to function on that date.
Though this situation is beyond our control, we have re-developed the utility to make use of the alternative Google Maps API. It has all the same functionality as the existing utility, with some additional features – such as the ability to use map and terrain view graphics, as well as satellite photography. The ‘Search’ function is also much improved.
The new version can be downloaded here. Save the file to your hard-drive and then double-click on the executable to install the new utility. If the installation wizard cannot find your installed Irricad folder (where Version 14 has been installed) click the [Browse] button to search for the folder manually. The utility is currently only available in English. Multiple language versions will be available in due course.
Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.5 is required to run the utility. If you do not have this version you can download and install it from Microsoft.
Note that if you are using a Text size greater than 100% (in Control Panel | Display) and had earlier set a compatibility setting on the original IrricadGEImport executable you will now need to turn the setting off. See forum post If Image is Incorrect Size when Importing from Google Earth (see this forum post).
Important: Google has a more restrictive usage policy in place for the Google Maps API which effects how the utility can be used. Usage of the data provided by our utility is generally governed by Google’s Terms of Service but also has specific limits. Both the Maps and Elevation APIs used by the utility allow a certain amount of free usage. For the Maps API, users have a quota of 25,000 map loads per day, for 90 consecutive days. We do not anticipate normal usage of the utility to breach the daily maps limit. The Elevation API is limited to 2,500 requests per day, with up to 512 locations per request. The utility constructs requests in rows – if, for example, each design requires 100 rows of elevation data, the quota would allow for 25 designs per day.
We would also re-iterate that the elevations retrieved from this utility often are low quality and should not be used for detailed design or specification work.
A larger quota for each of the APIs can be purchased from Google, if the daily usage limits become problematic. In order to enable the larger quota you will need a Google API key (which may be shared by more than one user). Please contact your local Irricad agent for instructions if you wish to pursue this course of action.
Kind Regards,
The IRRICAD Team
Though this situation is beyond our control, we have re-developed the utility to make use of the alternative Google Maps API. It has all the same functionality as the existing utility, with some additional features – such as the ability to use map and terrain view graphics, as well as satellite photography. The ‘Search’ function is also much improved.
The new version can be downloaded here. Save the file to your hard-drive and then double-click on the executable to install the new utility. If the installation wizard cannot find your installed Irricad folder (where Version 14 has been installed) click the [Browse] button to search for the folder manually. The utility is currently only available in English. Multiple language versions will be available in due course.
Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.5 is required to run the utility. If you do not have this version you can download and install it from Microsoft.
Note that if you are using a Text size greater than 100% (in Control Panel | Display) and had earlier set a compatibility setting on the original IrricadGEImport executable you will now need to turn the setting off. See forum post If Image is Incorrect Size when Importing from Google Earth (see this forum post).
Important: Google has a more restrictive usage policy in place for the Google Maps API which effects how the utility can be used. Usage of the data provided by our utility is generally governed by Google’s Terms of Service but also has specific limits. Both the Maps and Elevation APIs used by the utility allow a certain amount of free usage. For the Maps API, users have a quota of 25,000 map loads per day, for 90 consecutive days. We do not anticipate normal usage of the utility to breach the daily maps limit. The Elevation API is limited to 2,500 requests per day, with up to 512 locations per request. The utility constructs requests in rows – if, for example, each design requires 100 rows of elevation data, the quota would allow for 25 designs per day.
We would also re-iterate that the elevations retrieved from this utility often are low quality and should not be used for detailed design or specification work.
A larger quota for each of the APIs can be purchased from Google, if the daily usage limits become problematic. In order to enable the larger quota you will need a Google API key (which may be shared by more than one user). Please contact your local Irricad agent for instructions if you wish to pursue this course of action.
Kind Regards,
The IRRICAD Team