Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/70379
NEWSLINK Trimble Acquires SketchUp from Google Trimble Navigation Ltd., a provider of technology to support mobile workers, is acquiring the popular 3-D modeling platform SketchUp from Google Inc. Terms of the deal, announced in April 2012, weren't imme- diately disclosed, and the transaction was expected to close in the second quarter of this year. Trimble's acquisition of SketchUp will give the company a tool used by millions to construct virtual models of projects—everything from rooms to office buildings to stadiums. The company's specialties traditionally rested with GPS-based tools, with spe- cialties in solutions in application areas such as surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety, and mapping. The acquisition also will see Trimble continuing to partner with Google on running and further develop- ing an online repository known as the SketchUp 3D Warehouse, which now has almost 2 million user- generated models. The repository allows users to find, share, store and collaborate on 3-D models. Models can be viewed from within SketchUp or in a Web browser. Google also will continue to host and operate the 3D Warehouse for Trimble for the foreseeable future. And users still will be able to submit 3-D buildings for potential acceptance and viewing in Google Earth. "SketchUp and the corresponding 3D Warehouse provide an important element of our long-term strat- egy by enhancing the integration of our field pres- ence with the wider enterprise," said Bryn Fosburgh, Trimble vice president. "In addition, the SketchUp platform will enable Trimble, third-party developers and our distribution partners to efficiently develop new applications." "In Trimble, we found a partner that will grow SketchUp in a way that best supports the SketchUp team and our users," said Brian McClendon, Google's vice president of engineering. New Commercial Satellite Boasts Infrared Capabilities A commercial imagery satellite scheduled for launch by DigitalGlobe Inc. during mid-2014 received a license from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collect eight-band short- wave infrared (SWIR) imagery. DigitalGlobe believes the added functionality will extend the capabilities of its imagery-gathering sat- ellite constellation, which consists of QuickBird, WorldView-1 and WorldView-2. The company announced in April 2012 at the 28th Annual National Space Symposium that its next satellite, WorldView-3, would have SWIR capabilities. The new satellite also will offer 0.31-meter reso- lution panchromatic and eight-band multispectral imagery. The company claims that inclusion of SWIR functionality will make DigitalGlobe the only company with multiband SWIR capabilities. WorldView-3 imag- ery should allow users to better identify small, criti- cal details within an image—details that often aren't discernible in the visible spectrum. "What's most important, however, is the increased An image from SketchUp's 3D Warehouse repository shows a model for Earth. The SketchUp platform allows users to build and share a variety of models for use in areas such as design and construction. 6 GEO W ORLD / JUNE 2O12 value these new capabilities will provide our custom- ers," said Walter Scott, founder, executive vice presi- dent and chief technical officer at DigitalGlobe. "We had many options, and after months of working with government and commercial customers, we chose to add the SWIR bands that will best address our customers' needs." WorldView-3 is being constructed by Ball Aerospace. Imaging instruments, including the SWIR sensor and optics, are being designed and built by ITT Exelis. GOOGLE