3d travel map

3D maps for your website & apps

Our 3D maps of the world let you explore the planet in rich detail.

3D world maps with buildings and terrain

Global 3D terrain ready to use with any of our map styles 3D buildings aid with navigation in built up areas Easy to code with JavaScript examples

World map for mobility, transit and navigation

The perfect map for outdoor activities

Up-to-date imagery for the whole world

Build your own 3D world map

Create a realistic 3D map of the world with the satellite layer from MapTiler Cloud.

Include roads and placenames for context by using the hybrid layer.

Navigation with 3D Maps

Build an immersive experience with 3D buildings to help your users navigate the city and find their destination.

Use MapTiler Streets which contains building height data.

Maps with 3D for adventure

Show the terrain in 3D to give your users the best experience when hiking, biking, or skiing.

Use MapTiler’s Outdoor and Winter maps which include details of hiking trails and ski slopes.

Available as:

Vector tiles.

MapTiler SDK , native MVT clients

Raster tiles

Leaflet , OpenLayers , XYZ

Map services

WMTS for QGIS or ArcGIS

Static maps

Image for thumbnails

Other map styles

360° Panoramic Creations:

We create high-quality stabilized video having 8k and 4k resolution, 48 or 24 frames per second together with high-quality post-processing. Videos are supported by the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality headsets (including Samsung Gear VR), different electronic devices and YouTube channels.

We use different types of moving and fixed objects (tripods, monopods, cars, helicopters, building cranes, etc.) to record videos. For aerial shooting we usually use drones with fully gyro-stabilized unique suspension. Panoramic video covers up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

360° videos are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the videos are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate with the resolution up to 8k.

360° PHOTOGRAPHY

Our team creates high-quality 360° photo-panoramas with 35000x17500 pixels resolution (in the equidistant projection) and carries out professional post-processing and corrections of any complexity. We develop virtual tours which are suitable for all browsers, support both Flash and HTML5 technologies and are compatible with different mobile devices and virtual reality headsets (including Samsung Gear VR).

We use different types of moving and fixed objects (tripods, monopods, cars, helicopters, building cranes, etc.) to record videos. For aerial shooting we usually use drones with the fully gyro-stabilized unique suspension. Panoramic video covers up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

Ready 360° photo-panoramas cover up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

Info-points (description buttons that can be placed in the panorama), embedded pictures, video and audio can be added to the virtual tour.

360° GIGAPANORAMA

Our team creates high-quality 360° photo-panoramas with resolution from 1 to 3 gigapixel and carries out professional post-processing and corrections of any complexity. We develop virtual tours which are suitable for all browsers, support both Flash and HTML5 technologies and are compatible with different mobile devices and virtual reality glasses (including Samsung Gear VR).

Info-points (description buttons that can be placed in the panorama), embedded pictures, video and audio can be added to the ready virtual tour.

360° TIMELAPSE

We can make panoramic timelapses with the given viewing angle and resolution up to 12k with professional post-processing and without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle. 360° timelapses are supported by the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality glasses (including Samsung Gear VR), different electronic devices and YouTube channels.

360° timelapses are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the timelapses are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate with the resolution up to 12K.

Content sales:

VIRTUAL TOURS

On the basis of 360° panoramas we create virtual tours of any complexity, branded with logos and design elements of the company’s website together with embedding interactive elements, such as photos, slideshows, videos, descriptions, switch-points to other panoramas, audio descriptions, 3D sounds.

Our clients receive a fully functional virtual tour developed in HTML5 and supported by any computer or mobile device (iOS, Android, Windows Phone).

360° Photo    Price List

STOCK PHOTOS

For almost 10 years of travelling around the world our team has gathered an extensive stock of pictures, taken from both flying devices and the ground.

Any picture presented at our stock can be licensed for any kind of possible use. We can also offer the photos of ultra-high quality (the longer side up to 103,000 pixels).

You can also take a look at the spherical panoramas published on the website www.airpano.ru . Any of the 360° panoramas represented on the website can be converted into a printed image of very high quality.

Photogallery    Price List

STOCK 360° VIDEOS

By filming 360° video since 2011, our team has gathered an extensive stock of clips, taken from both flying devices and the ground.

Any video presented on our website can be licensed for any kind of possible use.

360° videos are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the videos are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate.

360° Video    Price List

APPLICATIONS

We are one of the software developers of applications based on 360° photos and videos. Currently, there are 7 applications in our portfolio. One of them was top-rated in 84 countries and listed among the best applications of the year 2014 according to App Store.

These applications can also be used for demonstration of panoramic content with the help of virtual reality devices, such as Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard and analogues.

Exhibition installations:

EXHIBITION INSTALLATIONS

AirPano team has the experience of creating panoramic cinemas and video-walls, making it possible to demonstrate our panoramic content at different kinds of events, exhibitions and in museums. The size is only defined by the premises, the quality of projector and the dimensions of plasma screens. Such solutions usually make a deep impression on visitors.

The control is carried out by a tablet or Kinect devices.

TOUCH SCREENS

We are ready to create applications with panoramic content working on touch screens of any size. Both AirPano panoramas and the client’s material can be the basis for this kind of software.

We create virtual tours of any complexity, branded with logos and design elements of the company’s website together with embedding interactive elements, such as photos, slideshows, videos, descriptions, switch-points to other panoramas, audio descriptions, 3D sounds.

VR HEADSETS

Our virtual tours and 360° videos are supported by all the types of virtual reality headsets (VR): Google Cardboard, Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, Sony Morpheus and others.

We can also develop special software for operating on Samsung Gear VR, if required.

AirPano in cooperation with Polden Studio carries out the installation of the binocular usage of the client’s or our own content. With the help of binoculars, the client can present the panoramic content at different kinds of events, exhibitions and in museums. This kind of devices usually attract a lot of visitors and leave a deep impression on them.

Google Earth

Create stories and maps.

With creation tools, you can draw on the map, add your photos and videos, customize your view, and share and collaborate with others.

Create on Earth

Draw on the map.

Add placemarks to highlight key locations in your project, or draw lines and shapes directly on the map.

Add your photos and videos

Feature images and videos on your map to add rich contextual information.

Customize your view

Make use of Google Earth's detailed globe by tilting the map to save a perfect 3D view or diving into Street View for a 360 experience.

Share your story with the world

Collaborate with others like a Google Doc and share your story as a presentation.

Magic Earth

• Offline Maps

Turn-by-turn navigation, OpenStreetMap, Crowd-Sourced Traffic, 3D maps, Satellite maps, Offline maps and Transit. Entirely free.

Turn-by-turn navigation, HD Traffic, OpenStreetMap, 3D maps, Satellite maps, Offline maps and Transit. Entirely free.

Turn-by-turn navigation, Crowd-Sourced Traffic, OpenStreetMap, 3D maps, Satellite maps, Offline maps and Transit. Entirely free.

Smart navigation with CarPlay and Siri Shortcuts

Learn more about Turn-by-turn navigation >

Learn more about Navigation >

Crowd-Sourced Traffic

Reliable and super accurate traffic that simply works.

Learn more about Traffic>

The world isn't flat. So why are most maps?

Learn more about maps >        learn more about offline maps >, learn more about maps >.

Up to 3 inch accuracy. Yes, 7.5 centimeter!

Learn more about offline maps >, download only the region that you need. or your entire country. free and without giving up your privacy., learn more about offline maps >.

Public Transportation for the 70% of us who use multiple ways of getting around our city.

Learn more about transit >.

With peek and pop you find your way faster than ever before

The fastest way to start a trip. An elegant way to receive instructions.

Apple watch is not required except for apple watch specific features..

Explore and navigate your world

Discover new experiences across the world or around the corner.

Explore your world

With the redesigned Explore tab, find places to eat and things to do around you or when you travel

Just for you

See recommendations for new and trending places based on your interests

Create lists

Easily create lists of places you want to go, and add notes to the places you’ve saved. You can keep these lists private, share them with close friends, or share them publicly. You can also browse through lists created by publishers, Local Guides or Google

Make your plans happen by connecting with the places you’re interested in

Follow your favorites.

Stay on top of offers, updates and more when you follow your favorite businesses

Make a reservation, book an appointment, or get tickets with just a few taps

Get answers fast

Message a business right on Google Maps to find out information

Navigate the world around you

Real time traffic updates.

Find the best route when driving, with real-time updates on traffic jams, accidents, road closures and speed traps. You can also keep fellow drivers in the know by reporting incidents yourself

Hands-free help with the Google Assistant

Your Google Assistant is now integrated into Google Maps so you can message, call, listen to music and get hands-free help while driving. Say “Hey Google” to get started

Real-time updates for public transportation

Get up-to-the-minute updates on busses and trains, like departure times and how crowded the bus is. You can also see where on the map your bus is so you know if you need to walk a little faster to the bus stop

Explore new places confidently

With Live View in Google Maps, see the way you need to go with arrows and directions placed right on top of your world. There’s less second guessing and missing turns

Control your data with confidence

Industry-leading data protection.

Every day you’re Safer with Google. We use the most advanced technology like differential privacy to protect your data and build helpful features - like seeing how busy a place is so you can avoid the crowd.

Easy-to-use privacy controls

You’re in control. With Your data in Maps , you can easily view and manage your Location History and other account settings. Location History is off by default. When you turn on Location History, it can help you with real-time traffic predictions for your commute or reminisce about places you’ve been.

Search with Incognito mode

When you want additional privacy, use Incognito mode in Google Maps. When it’s turned on, you can navigate, search for places, and find business information from your device - all without searches or directions being saved in account.

See how people are using Google Maps to explore what’s around them, put their communities on the map, and help others

Why we map the world.

Map making is an ancient human endeavor, and one that those of us working on Google Maps are honored to continue to pursue

Mountain View, California

More stories

Melbourne, Australia

Mums who map

A group of Local Guides, Mums who Map, dedicated their time to help parents find kid-friendly places in Melbourne, Australia.

Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Mapping Tonga

Tania Wolfgramm and Wikuki Kingi set out to bring Tonga to Street View for all the world to see.

Devon Island, Canada

Together with the Mars Institute and NASA, Google Maps documented the research that goes on Devon Island, the most Mars-like place on Earth.

Norcia, Italy

Mapping Italy’s Recovery

One Local Guide records the aftermath of Italy’s earthquakes to show the world that they still need help recovering.

Kerala, India

Kerala Flood Rescue

Bobby Kurian used Google Maps to tag her parents’ location to help rescue them in the Kerala floods.

Supporting Women’s Rights

With the help of Local Guides and Google Maps, Princess Ilonze got hospitals and police stations on the map to help save lives.

Kids in India

The India Literacy Project teamed up with Google to help students explore the world through photos uploaded by Local Guide.

Bozeman, Montana

Connecting to Bozeman

One Local Guide was inspired to celebrate and show off her hometown in a unique way.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Mapping Blood Donation Sites

Local Guide Adriano Anjos in Brazil mapped Sao Paulo’s blood donation centers on Google Maps.

London, England

Wheelchair Accessible Routes

Wheelchair-accessible routes on Google Maps has made getting around easier for Meridtyh, Omari, Adam, and Lucy.

Kolkata, India

Plus Codes creates geographical coordinates that provide an address to those who previously had none.

Grand Canyon National Park

Vets Kayak The Grand Canyon

Five blind veterans kayaked through the Grand Canyon and documented their journey on Street View.

Google Maps Blog

Read articles, interviews, and more to learn what’s new on Google Maps

Want the best prices for your trip? Google can help.

Take off to your next destination with Google Maps

Hip-hop dancers show Paris in a new light on Street View

There's more we can help you with.

Check out some related products below

Street View

Explore world landmarks, discover natural wonders, and step inside places with Street View on Google Maps

Google Earth

Explore worldwide satellite imagery, 3D buildings, and terrain for hundreds of cities with Google Earth

Local Guides

Become a Local Guide to help people everywhere find the places worth seeing and things worth doing

Google My Business

Stand out to people searching on Google, and connect with customers with a free business profile

Get Google Maps

How we built Immersive View for routes on Maps

Nov 02, 2023

[[read-time]] min read

Immersive View for routes is starting to roll out in 15 cities. Here’s how we used AI and imagery to bring it to life.

When navigating to a destination, it’s helpful to get a sense of your route so you can travel with confidence. Let’s say you’re biking to the park to meet friends; you might look at the weather, see if there are road closures along the way, or scope out the bike parking situation on Street View. That’s why we introduced Immersive View for routes, a feature that gives you all of the information you need about your journey — like weather and traffic — in a single, multidimensional view whether you’re walking, biking or cycling. This feature, which has started rolling out in 15 cities, builds on Immersive View for places that allows you to experience a place before you go.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how AI and imagery bring Immersive View for routes to life in Google Maps.

Putting together a jigsaw puzzle of 2D imagery

To start, billions of high-resolution images are collected – these can come from planes, as well as Street View cars and Trekkers. The images are then stitched together in a process that feels a lot like putting together the world’s largest jigsaw puzzle.

Different map layers showing object labels, elevation, vegetation and color.

In theory, this sounds relatively straightforward, but several factors make this process quite complex. All of the imagery needs to align with existing Google Maps data so that each road, street and business name fits together. This is only possible with our advanced photogrammetry techniques that can align imagery and data within centimeters.

Visualization of our models aligning 3D aerial imagery to Street View data.

Using machine learning to extract and label helpful information

Once the images are aligned, we use AI and computer vision to understand what’s in them. Within seconds, our machine learning models can understand elements in a photo — like sidewalks, street signs, speed limit signs, road names, addresses, posted business hours and building entrances. These models are trained on millions of photos from around the world, so they’re able to learn and adapt to different regions. For example, they can recognize a “SLOW” sign in the U.S., which is a yellow or orange diamond, and in Japan, which is triangular and largely white and red.

Understanding these elements helps us show you the most helpful information in Immersive View for routes. For example, this allows us to navigate you right to a building’s entrance rather than just the general vicinity, saving you a time-consuming trip around the block!

Our AI labels helpful object categories like sidewalks, street signs, speed limit signs, road names, addresses, posted business hours and building entrances.

Transforming 2D imagery into 3D

With all the visuals and object labels in place, it’s time to reconstruct the world in 3D. One of the biggest challenges with building a 3D map is modeling the terrains of roads and heights of buildings. To do this, we use imagery from our state-of-the-art aerial camera systems that are much like the 3D cameras used to film Hollywood movies. These systems have clusters of cameras pointed in slightly different directions, allowing them to take pictures from multiple viewpoints and accurately understand depth. Once we have this set of imagery, our advanced photogrammetry techniques help us place these on top of our 2D model of the world, turning it into a 3D model.

A preview of the route overlaid on 3D terrain.

Creating a realistic, helpful route

Once our model is in 3D, we need to actually show you how to navigate. This is the piece that differentiates Immersive View for routes from Immersive View for places. One of the biggest challenges of overlaying the route line in 3D is creating a realistic and helpful overview of your travel path, whether that’s a road, bike lane or sidewalk. We solve this using a couple of techniques.

We include a lot of intricate camera zooms, pans, and tilts to show you both a big-picture overview and street-level details about your route. We use a technique called occlusion to hide the blue route line when it is meant to go behind buildings, under bridges, or around trees. To make sure all of this dynamic movement is not jumpy or jarring to you, we use a mathematical construct called a B-spline curve to create a smooth camera path that has a clear view of the route. Combining these techniques, our system can quickly compute what should be in view at each step and always generate a path that’s easy to follow and beautiful in real-time.

Adding Google Maps’ trusted, real-world information

Finally, we layer on Google Maps’ trusted information — like weather, air quality and traffic — so that you can visualize what your route will look like as conditions change throughout the day and week.

To simulate live traffic — both current and in the future — we partner with Google Research to analyze historical, aggregated driving trends. So if a street is known to be congested at 5 p.m. on Thursdays because of heavy traffic from delivery trucks, you’ll see more trucks reflected in Immersive View. This allows you to get a sense of what you’re likely to encounter on the road.

Using aggregate traffic data, our models simulate what traffic might look like at any given time.

Bringing it all together

All of this comes together to show you your route on your phone by utilizing on-device and real-time cloud rendering so you can visualize where you’re going from the palm of your hand. Immersive View for routes is starting to roll out in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo, and Venice.

To learn more about the technology that powers your favorite features in Google Maps, check out our Maps 101 blog post series .

Related stories

5 AI-powered tools to help you get outside more

Find more sustainable ways to get around, with new Maps and Search updates

New ways to power up your electric vehicle adventures with Google Maps

3 Maps updates to make summer travel a breeze

6 ways to travel smarter this summer using Google tools

Street View comes to Kazakhstan

Let’s stay in touch. Get the latest news from Google in your inbox.

• Google Earth
• Earth Engine
• Earth Outreach

Let the world tell your story

Earth Studio is an animation tool for Google Earth’s satellite and 3D imagery.

Inside Earth Studio

Powerful motion design, all in the browser. Earth Studio gives you the tools you need to create professional content with Google Earth imagery. Read more in the Documentation .

Keyframe Animation

Earth Studio uses keyframes, just like other industry-standard animation tools. Move the globe, set a keyframe, rinse and repeat. It’s that easy.

Quick-Start Projects

Create an orbit, or fly from point to point. Select from up to five templates to get started - no animation experience needed.

Animatable Effects

Animate custom attributes such as the sun's position, the camera's field of view and more.

3D Camera Export

Easily add map labels and pins in post production. Earth Studio supports camera export to Adobe After Effects.

Try the Earth Studio preview

Earth Studio is free to use and works with the desktop version of Google Chrome. Sign in with your Google account to request access. Learn more

Earth Studio works with the desktop version of Google Chrome. Sign in with your Google account to request access. Learn more .

Where Your Travel Memories Come to Life

The Better Way to Share Your Travel Memories

Wow your friends with an animated travel map .

Check out  one of our animated travel maps created with PictraMap®!

Why is this the tool that you've been waiting for ...

No credit card required, create your first animated travel map within minutes.

It's different

WOW your friends and get them talking  about you and your travels.

It's all you want

Free online tool to create animated maps from travel photos. Ain't that right?

No wait time

The tool is entirely web-based - you register and get instant access to the system. Create your first animated travel map within minutes!

Beautiful maps

It is not yet another tool with Google maps, offering the same old same old map layout. Find the map that matches your taste and type of trip.

Customization

No other online tool offers so many customization options - you choose the map, pins, intro, ending, music theme, not to mention the color options.

Easy to use

You don't need any tutorial because of the super-easy interface - register and within minutes, you can have your first animated travel map.

Easy to share

Because it's all online, you can always share your animated travel maps with the world - on Facebook, via email, even embed it on your blog.

It just is ...

Passionate travelers badly needed such a tool (we know, they told us so). Be among the first to create an animated travel map with PictraMap®!

Are you ready to be a pioneer? Dare to be different?

What passionate travelers say about pictramap®.

I was pleasantly surprised of what I saw when a friend shared the link to PictraMap. The unique way I can create and share my albums there lets my friends and family enjoy the fun moments of my trips. I like the flexibility and variety of the maps, the transitions between locations, and the music scores I can choose from – all in a very quick and intuitive way. Thank you, guys!

What a great way to give life to my countless otherwise boring photos! The maps, the music, the colors make every album special and help add an emotion to it. It's easy to use and the result is a fun adventure I could share with all my friends and family! I know they will love it too!!

Busy? No problem - we'll remind you!

If you're too busy to create your first animated travel map right now, or you think your friends can wait being WOW-ed by your last amazing trip, join our community. We'll remind you later that your travel photos can still get the attention they deserve 😉

Browse Site

• Start Here!
• Plans & Pricing
• Log in to PictraMap
• Create an account

From The Blog

• Convert PictraMap Animations to Videos: Built-in Feature Released
• Search by GPS Coordinates, Full HD Pics and New Maps Released
• New Customization Options Now Available in the ‘Extras’ Tab

Get in Touch

Want updates via email.

My itinerary

This is a free demo version of our mapping software.

Create an account to save your current itinerary and get access to all our features.

Otherwise your data will be automatically deleted after one week.

Generate 3D maps

Create maps to embed, download or 3D print for private or commercial use.

What can you generate ?

Optimized 3D map models in a self-contained format (GLTF) with commercial-friendly license.

Our models are generated in the GLTF format, the "JPEG of 3D" , they are usable offline and independently of our platform.

You do not depend on a third party service or API keys, they will work forever , even if we disappear.

You can leverage the ecosystem around GLTF to embed them ( free wordpress plugin ), remix them in a 3D software, use them in Augmented Reality, etc etc...

Learn more on using 3D models →

Unlike most of our competitors, our models are made from open data sources with commercial-friendly license, this means that you can use them for anything , you are even allowed to resell 💸 them if you want to.

Depending on the imagery source, you might need to attribute the imagery source somewhere when you reuse the 3d model.

Learn more on licensing →

Our models are generated using a Triangulated irregular network mesh that makes them more lightweight and efficient to display.

For 3D printing, models can be hollowed out to save material (70% cheaper to print).

Learn more on model optimization →

All Mars Resources

Perseverance’s ‘Bunsen Peak’ Sample

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover captured this image of a sample cored from a rock called “Bunsen Peak” on March 11,…

NASA’s Curiosity Rover Reaches Gediz Vallis Channel (360 View)

360-degree panorama provided by NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover. This view was captured at Gediz Vallis channel, a feature that formed…

Animation of Mars Helicopter Flight Test

This animation shows a simulation of the response of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter to the system identification, or “Sys-ID,” process.…

Rover, Helicopter Locations in Jezero Crater

This map shows the locations of NASA’ Perseverance rover (white star) and Ingenuity Mars Helicopter (cyan star) on Dec. 19,…

Sol 4132: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity took 31 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4130: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 31 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4128: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Perspective

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 30 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4128: Left Navigation Camera, Vertical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 30 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Left Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4128: Left Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Perspective

Sol 4128: Left Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Sol 4128: Mast-Mounted Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Perspective

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 30 image pairs in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4128: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Sol 4125: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 52 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4123: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 51 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

Sol 4118: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 49 images in Gale Crater using its mast-mounted Right Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this…

• About Chandra
• Field Guide
• Photo Album
• Resources & Multimedia
• Video Series