# Import 3d surrounding from Apple / Google Maps into SketchUp file

**URL:** <https://forums.sketchup.com/t/import-3d-surrounding-from-apple-google-maps-into-sketchup-file/91677>\
**Category:** SketchUp\
**Tags:** sketchup, advice, import, modeling\
**Created:** [March 25, 2019, 12:37pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/import-3d-surrounding-from-apple-google-maps-into-sketchup-file/91677 "2019-03-25T12:37:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chiaralli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@chiaralli](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/chiaralli)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 12:37pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/import-3d-surrounding-from-apple-google-maps-into-sketchup-file/91677/1 "2019-03-25T12:37:18Z")

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Is there a way to import 3d scans data from Google Maps or Apple maps into my Sketchup model?

What I would like to do is to insert my building model into the 3d views of Google Maps to see how it relates to other buildings around it.

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**Author:** ![eric-s](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/eric-s/32/55392_2.png) [@eric-s](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/eric-s)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 1:21pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/import-3d-surrounding-from-apple-google-maps-into-sketchup-file/91677/2 "2019-03-25T13:21:11Z")

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You can export your model as 3D Model/.KMZ and open it up in Google Earth.

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**Author:** ![Aerilius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19b73/32.png) [@Aerilius](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Aerilius)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/import-3d-surrounding-from-apple-google-maps-into-sketchup-file/91677/3 "2019-03-25T14:33:18Z")

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For importing 3D mesh maps, see also this [topic](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/copying-google-earth-cities-in-entirety-satellite-cartography-3d-models-for-other-3d-programs/43448), the same applies to data that is property of Apple and others.

For exporting the model and viewing it on a map, Google Earth (as long as it still exists) has the advantage that it has an API and import functionality so you can view your own data (models) in it.

See also [Placemaker](https://www.suplacemaker.com/placemaker/) for getting context for your model (although it has no aerial-textured buildings). It uses data under [free license](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Database_License), a mindset that is probably much in your interest to support. You can contribute your buildings and building footprints using [SketchOSM](https://mindsightstudios.com/sketchosm/).