Model features - XML used to load 3D textured meshes.Polygon features - XML with a list of points visualized as a filled polygon (flat or extruded).Line features - XML with a list of points visualized as a line or wall.Trail layers - paths (routes, boundaries).Point layers - simple XML files displaying placemarks (point of interest) as icons.World Wind can be expanded by using one of many add-ons - small extensions that add new functionality to the program. Many people using the applications are adding their own data and making them available through various sources, such as the World Wind Central or blogs mentioned in the link section below.Īll images and movies created with World Wind using Blue Marble, Landsat, or USGS public domain data can be freely modified, re-distributed, and used on web sites, even for commercial purposes. In addition, WW has bathymetry data which allows users to see ocean features, such as trenches and ridges, in 3D. This means one can view topographic features such as the Grand Canyon or Mount Everest in three dimensions. World Wind uses digital elevation model (DEM) data collected by NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Microsoft has allowed World Wind to incorporate Virtual Earth high resolution data for non-commercial use. The resolution outside the US is at least 15 meters per pixel. The resolution inside the US is high enough to clearly discern individual buildings, houses, cars (USGS Digital Ortho layer) and even the shadows of people (metropolitan areas in USGS Urban Ortho layer). X (DirectX 3D polygon mesh) models and advanced visual effects such as atmospheric scattering or sun shading. Other features of World Wind include support for. This is an example of how World Wind allows anyone to deliver their data. World Wind provides the ability to browse maps and geospatial data on the internet using the OGC's WMS servers (version 1.4 also uses WFS for downloading placenames), import ESRI shapefiles and kml/kmz files. Five million placenames, political boundaries, latitude/longitude lines, and other location criteria can be displayed. Users interact with the selected planet by rotating it, tilting the view, and zooming in and out. All these worlds are available in the File menu. The latest version (1.4) developed mainly by open source community members from World Wind Central/Free Earth Foundation had its premiere on February 14, 2007.Īpart from the Earth there are several worlds in World Wind: Moon, Mars, Venus, Jupiter (with the four Galilean moons of Io, Ganymede, Europa and Callisto) and SDSS (imagery of stars and galactics). World Wind was released for the first time in 2004 by NASA.

NASA World Wind