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Google Earth Changelog

What's new in Google Earth 7.3.6.9264

Oct 26, 2022
  • Movie Maker tool:
  • Hardware-accelerated video encoding for faster processing and better image quality.
  • HEVC (H.265) codec support.
  • Full navigation controls, including Historical Imagery and Street View, available in live recording mode.
  • Better responsiveness during live recording.
  • Can defer video encoding until after live recording is finished.
  • In live recording mode, less obtrusive recording status dialog.
  • Live recordings accurately show the timing of user actions during the recording session.
  • Save video frames in QOI image format.
  • Break apart a Multi Geometry place mark into individual place marks.
  • Combine multiple selected place marks into a single Multi Geometry place mark.
  • Import GeoJSON files.
  • Improved printing tool quality.
  • Save Image tool:
  • Increased maximum image size.
  • PNG format support.
  • Adjusted Google Earth logo size in main view, saved images, and printouts.
  • Automatically support high-DPI displays.
  • Regionate tool supports KML Schema extended data.
  • Consistently save KML files with no changes from session to session.
  • Correctly import CSV files with values that contain quotation marks.
  • Edit KML LinearRing place mark line style.
  • Other minor fixes and improvements.

New in Google Earth 7.3.4.8573 (Mar 28, 2022)

  • Fixes for 3D controller devices on Mac and Windows.
  • Resolves navigation bugs in Street View mode.
  • Fixes distorted rendering of Street View imagery.
  • Improved support of new map layers.
  • Faster import of GeoTIFF files.
  • Accurate stars and night sky background positions.
  • Improved compatibility with recent Linux versions.
  • Security updates and fixes.
  • Other fixes and enhancements.

New in Google Earth 7.3.3.7692 (May 1, 2020)

  • Updated Street View experience.
  • Enhanced plus code search results.
  • Shift+right-click on map displays plus code.
  • “View in Google Earth on Web” button opens the current view in Google Earth on web.
  • When you add a photo to a placemark, the placemark can be automatically repositioned to the GPS location of the photo.
  • Fixes connectivity issues sometimes seen after reconnecting to WiFi.
  • GPS imports now support GeoJSON format.
  • Addresses security vulnerabilities CVE-2020-8895, CVE-2020-8896.
  • Other minor fixes and updates.

New in Google Earth 7.3.2.5481 (Jun 21, 2018)

  • Places panel: multiple-item selection, moving, deletion; performance improvements
  • Network security updates and fixes; improved certificate support
  • CSV import improvements: support older Mac file formats, multi-line text fields
  • Ground overlay editor: fix glitchy rotation, rotation handle positioning
  • Print preview: fixed mouse-wheel zooming, display refresh problems
  • International languages: fix missing translations, keyboard shortcuts, UI elements
  • Tables tool: improved stability, layout, data synchronization
  • Tour Guide is hidden by default, reflecting Earth Pro use case
  • Windows: allow Earth to run concurrently in multiple user sessions
  • Windows: improved appearance on high-resolution monitors
  • Windows 64-bit fixes: joystick support; crash when hiding 3D buildings; COM application (e.g. Garmin BaseCamp) interface

New in Google Earth 7.3.1.4507 (Jun 21, 2018)

  • Windows 64-bit: 64-bit application
  • Windows: support for SSL client authentication with secure servers
  • Windows: stability improvements in DirectX mode
  • Linux: added support for printing, embedded video and sounds
  • Performance improvements with large KML files
  • Improved support for secure connections and handling of certificate errors
  • Polygons spanning the antimeridian no longer sometimes disappear
  • CSV import tool user interface fixes and better Unicode support
  • Repair Tool improvements
  • Elevation Profile tool measurements are now more consistent
  • Better translations throughout the user interface
  • GPS device live mode functionality restored
  • Fixed incompatibility with high-refresh-rate displays

New in Google Earth 7.3.0.3832 (Aug 22, 2017)

  • Issues fixed in this release of Google Earth Client:
  • Terrain imagery tiles missing in some locations.
  • Tour audio recording and playback not working.
  • Tours with recorded audio not correctly saved.
  • Crash when loading large KML data files.
  • Drag-and-drop files into application window not working.
  • Can't open KMZ files from a path with ".kmz" in it.
  • Skyscrapers cut off when saving high-resolution images.
  • COM registration not performed by Windows installer.
  • Some images embedded in KML don't load.
  • Anisotropic filtering option has no effect.
  • Startup Tips sometimes incorrectly positioned.
  • Labels in Arabic were often cut off.
  • Changes:
  • Earth "Free" and Pro have now been combined into a single product, Earth Pro.
  • Windows: Windows 7 is earliest version supported.
  • Windows: new installs default to OpenGL mode.
  • Mac: Mac OS 10.8 is earliest version supported.
  • Mac: application is now 64-bit.
  • Mac: antialiasing option is now available.
  • High-resolution ("high-DPI", "Retina") display support.
  • New Repair Tool to reset cache data, settings, and fix application startup issues.
  • Updated Movie Maker tool with new video formats.
  • Improved image saving, printing and movie making performance.
  • Web Inspector tool available for KML balloons.
  • HTML5 videos such as YouTube embeds work in placemark balloons.
  • Updated and improved internal Web browser and security.
  • Known Issues:
  • "Share with Google+" feature not working.
  • SSL client certificates not currently supported.
  • Toolbar buttons, UI icons pixelated in high-DPI mode.
  • Windows: high-DPI support isn't enabled until pixel scale is 200% or higher (use googleearth2x.bat to force high-DPI mode).

New in Google Earth 7.1.7.2600 (Oct 10, 2016)

  • Removed menu items for Google Maps Engine and the Google Earth Community.
  • New Google and Google Earth logos.
  • Crashes from rearranging items in My Places.
  • “1603” installer error caused by attempts to re-install Earth 7.

New in Google Earth 7.1.5.1557 (May 23, 2015)

  • Issues fixed in this release Google Earth Client:
  • The Google account sign-in process was updated from OAuth 1.0 to OAuth 2.0, given the deprecation of Oauth 1.0. Users of all previous versions of Earth will not be able to sign-in with their Google accounts after May 30th, 2015.

New in Google Earth 7.1.2.2041 (Nov 4, 2013)

  • Issues fixed:
  • The “Enable Controller” option in user preferences is now turned off by default. This prevents red directional arrows from displaying as a result of uncalibrated joysticks and other controllers being connected to Earth at startup.
  • For enhanced security, “Use HTTPS for Google connections” is now toggled on by default.
  • We fixed a bug whereby the cache size rose above user-specified limits.
  • We fixed a crash resulting from searching on some Windows machines.
  • We updated the LEAP API to version 1.08.
  • We reduced LEAP controller sensitivity to user hand motions. This enables a smoother flight and greater control over your flight path when using a LEAP.

New in Google Earth 7.1.2.2019 (Sep 25, 2013)

  • Issues fixed in this release:
  • The “Enable Controller” option in user preferences is now turned off by default. This prevents red directional arrows from displaying as a result of uncalibrated joysticks and other controllers being connected to Earth at startup.
  • For enhanced security, “Use HTTPS for Google connections” is now toggled on by default.
  • We fixed a bug whereby the cache size rose above user-specified limits.
  • We fixed a crash resulting from searching on some Windows machines.
  • We updated the LEAP API to version 1.08.
  • We reduced LEAP controller sensitivity to user hand motions. This enables a smoother flight and greater control over your flight path when using a LEAP.

New in Google Earth 7.1.1.1888 (Jul 17, 2013)

  • Updated the LEAP API to version 0.8.1 and fixed a crash affecting a portion of users running Earth on Windows XP. If you want to use a LEAP device with Google Earth, ensure you are running LEAP driver version 0.8.1+ from the LEAP Motion website.
  • The "Enable Controller" option is now default on. If you have an uncalibrated external controller (such as a gaming joystick) connected to your computer, this could result in the Earth spinning with arrows displaying to signify movement. As a workaround, we suggest the following: Turning off "Enable Controller" in the "Navigation" tab of Options/Preferences; Unplugging your external controller, or Recalibrating your external controller

New in Google Earth 7.1.1.1871 (Jun 28, 2013)

  • Issues fixed in this release Google Earth Client:
  • We have included another fix for the unified_cache_leveldb_leveldb2 directory filling beyond specified cache limits for some Windows and Macintosh users.
  • Imagery no longer stays blurry upon zooming in when the cache is full.
  • Certain NVIDIA cards, notably the GeForce 6600, 6800 and 7950, no longer suffer corrupted text or navigation controls in DirectX mode.
  • Font and tilt settings now stick between sessions.
  • Balloon opens now display when recording tours.
  • We have included UI improvements to Flight Simulator.
  • When printing, the scale legend now displays correct distances.
  • Collada models now display with uncorrupted textures.
  • Polygons and image overlays now display correctly across the Antimeridian.
  • We fixed an issue with certain GPU - driver combinations whereby no imagery displayed in the client.
  • The time slider in Sun and Historical Imagery features now displays the correct Daylight Savings time.
  • Performance and stability improvements.
  • [Pro] Artifact .avi files are no longer created when rendering movies from tours on Windows. [Pro] Calculating a Viewshed in parts of the southern hemisphere no longer displays an error.
  • [Pro] The scale legend in the print flow no longer disappears when view is tilted, nor does it change between high-, medium- and low-quality prin

New in Google Earth 7.1.1.1580 Beta (Apr 23, 2013)

  • Polygons and image overlays display over the international dateline
  • Performance improvements in Movie Maker and in viewing 3D imagery areas
  • Ocean surface displays across Mac clients with Intel GPUs
  • Full Map names display in Google Maps Engine maps
  • Earth client now supports NTLM authentication for a PAC file
  • Fixed Incorrect "Z-order" in rendering overlapped vector layers

New in Google Earth 7.0.3.8542 (Mar 2, 2013)

  • Google Earth Client:
  • We have put in a fix for the unified_cache_leveldb_leveldb2 directory filling beyond specified cache limits for some Windows users.
  • We now handle SSL certificate revocation errors appropriately.
  • Lighting of Diorama buildings in OGL now appears correctly.
  • Balloons no longer flicker while playing tours.
  • We have improved the appearance of image and polygon overlays for users running some families of Radeon GPUs.
  • We have included stability improvements for users running GeForce 6xxx and 7xxx cards.
  • We have included stability improvements for users running Earth for extended periods of time.
  • Imagery now displays for Linux users running specific families of Intel GPUs.
  • Google Earth Plugin:
  • Placemark and linestring quality no longer diminishes in the Plugin with browser refresh.

New in Google Earth 7.0.2.8415 (Dec 17, 2012)

  • What’s new:
  • Support for 3D imagery data: 3D data provides a comprehensive representation of metropolitan environments around the world. 3D imagery is currently available in the these areas.
  • Tour Guide mechanism in the client: The new tour guide allows you to explore interesting places around the world, even if you don’t know to search for them. As you move, thumbnails of pre-created tours and points of interest will dynamically update with interesting locations in your current view. Read more.
  • Support for terrain data accessed via Google Maps Engine
  • Zooming in now tilts at a higher elevation in order to showcase 3D imagery
  • A unified graphical rendering pipeline
  • Redesigned startup tips and status bar
  • Issues fixed in this release:
  • Google Earth Client
  • Fixed a Pro and Enterprise bug whereby cached login data disappeared after upgrading to Mac OS 10.8+.
  • Sound can now be recorded from a microphone when producing a tour.
  • Improved Atmosphere feature for users on certain NVIDIA GeForce cards.
  • Polygons clamped to seafloor now display correctly.

New in Google Earth 6.2.0.5905 Beta (Jan 27, 2012)

  • Enhanced search, including support for:
  • Clearer local business and directions search results. These now appear in full HTML in the left hand panel.
  • Improved quality thresholds on search results.
  • Walking directions, biking directions and transit search.
  • Search layers in local business searches. In a local business search, you now see all relevant results in the 3D view, 10 results in the search panel.
  • Suggest in search. As you type a search query, search suggestions appear in a drop-down menu.
  • Loading search results with one click, not two.
  • Improved imagery rendering, including:
  • Google Earth imagery is significantly more seamless, especially at higher altitudes
  • Fade-in animation for imagery as it is fetched.
  • Anisotropic filtering by default.
  • Improved level of detail calculation for imagery tiles.
  • Unified network stack. Google Earth now uses the same network stack for imagery, vector content, balloon content and embedded browser content. This will avoid situations where imagery loads but balloon content does not display under certain proxy settings.
  • Ability to share screenshots with your Google+ circles from within the Google Earth client.
  • Unified Google login mechanism in the client.
  • Improved performance with 3D buildings.
  • Google Earth Client:
  • Fixed an issue where ground overlays without the tag did not render rectangles using the fill color. KML ground overlays where images fail to load will now draw rectangles using a default or user-specified fill color.
  • Added the ability to create balloon HTML for locally saved images using the “Add image” button.
  • Fixed proxy accessibility issues for the Google Earth Plug-in and Client.
  • Added the ability to update network links in parallel on synchronous updates.
  • Google Earth Browser Plug-in and API:
  • Fixed an issue where the Google Earth Browser Plug-in generated an “ATL 10.0” error while running on Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9.
  • Fixed an issue where the “-” key was not working on Google Earth Plug-in on Mac.
  • Fixed an issue where the AJAX loader returned false for isSupported() on 64-bit browsers that are not supported.
  • Fixed the rendering order of imagery layers added through side databases.
  • Fixed an issue where 3D buildings did not update with changes in view when terrain is not visible.

New in Google Earth 6.1.0.5001 (Oct 22, 2011)

  • Improved the robustness of network access by providing better support for Proxy and SSL certs. This will fix issues users have experienced of not being able to see balloon content or embedded browser content.
  • Improved the resolution seen in elevation profiles for lines and tracks.
  • Added the ability to sort “My Places,” and improved the user interface to be able find points across my places.
  • There were several improvements to Street View in Google Earth. We added the ability to zoom into a Street View photo by using a zoom slider. Streetview in Earth feels more immersive now due to wider field of view. It is now faster and smoother to use. We made several small tweaks to the user interface including adding a way to navigate floors when you are indoors and there are multiple floors available in Street View.
  • Fixed bugs related to missing road labels in cases where roads were curvy or zoomed into.
  • In Google Earth API for browser plugins:
  • Added API for working with tours.
  • Fixed bugs and product changes:
  • To conform more closely with the OGC KML 2.2 standard, we've made the parsing of the tag more strict in version 6.1. Spaces must only be used to separate the (longitude,latitude,altitude) triplets which specify the coordinates of a single point. It is invalid to add spaces between individual coordinates. We understand that previous versions of the client were more lenient, so if your KML files contain spaces beween coordinates in coordinate triplets, an easy workaround is to remove all whitespace located immediately before or after commas inside a tag.
  • Several performance improvements that would allow smoother experience in specific computer configurations.
  • Fixed 'Restrict to View' functionality during a shapefile import in Google Earth Pro.
  • Fixed an issue where Google Earth would sometimes save incorrect ordering of elements in KML.
  • Added field of view recording to tours and ability to play back those changes.
  • Fixed an issue where the icon heading did not work in Google Earth API.
  • Changes to reduce occurrences of missing desktop icon and shortcut menu items on an update.
  • Sped up overlay polygon rendering in OpenGL mode.
  • Fixed loading of kmz files when the first file at the root level was image file.
  • Upgraded GDAL support to 1.7.0 and fixed issues with importing .tab files in Google Earth Pro.
  • Fixed the discrepancy caused in measurements due to multiple radii of Earth used inside Google Earth.
  • Fixed an issue where placemarks created with UTM coordinates did not move when edited.
  • Fixed an issue when screen overlays disappeared in a print-out.

New in Google Earth 6.0.2.2074 (Mar 30, 2011)

  • Issues Fixed with Desktop Client:
  • Fixed a problem where we were over fetching certain kml layer data and running into issuing of using large amounts of memory and slowness during zooming in.
  • Fixed an issue of ruler tool disappearing. In 6.0 beta, when measuring using the path tool, if you break to add a place-mark then you go back to the path and click "save" the path and ruler tool disappears all together.
  • Fixed an issue with incorrectly measuring long distances. Improved navigation in Street View inside buildings.
  • Fixed a crash with elevation profile if there was empty gx:value node in KML.
  • Optimized amount of terrain and imagery data fetched while viewing photo overlays.
  • Fixed an occasional crash while viewing 3D buildings. Fixed broken fly-to links within local kml files.
  • Fixed an issue where new place-marks added were with absolute altitude instead of being clamped to ground.
  • Fixed an issue where the title for panoramio pictures no longer appeared when hovering over panoramio icons with your mouse if scale legend was enabled.
  • Fixed an issue when there was occasionally a missing wall in 3D buildings.
  • Optimized amount of data fetched in Street View.
  • Fixed an issue where tilt by holding “shift” and moving the scroll wheel only worked in one direction on Mac.
  • Issues Fixed in Earth Browser Plug-in:
  • Fixed a crash when getNormalStyleUrl was called on a StyleMap referencing a non-existent Style.
  • Fixed some issues in using plug-in on https sites.
  • Fixed functionality of disabling ground level navigation through API.

New in Google Earth 6.0.0.1735 Beta (Nov 30, 2010)

  • New features in Google Earth 6:
  • Integrated Street View: In Google Earth 6, the Street View experience is now fully integrated. You can enter Street View either by dropping pegman in navigation controls or by zooming in all the way to ground level on places that have Street View.
  • 3D Trees:Google Earth now has trees. You can enable trees by turning on the check-box next to the Trees layer under the 3D buildings layer folder. You can see trees in several places, and we will add trees to more places over time.
  • Easy to use historical imagery:When you fly to an area where historical imagery is available, the date of the oldest imagery will appear in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. If you click on this date, you’ll instantly be taken back in time to view imagery from that time period.
  • Ground-level navigation: In Google Earth 6, in addition to flying around features, you can now walk on the ground to explore either 3D buildings and trees or Street View imagery.
  • 3D Measurements in Google Earth Pro:In addition to measuring distances and areas on the ground, you can now measure heights and widths of 3D building and distances from buildings to the ground.
  • Other changes in Google Earth 6:
  • Tour Recorder Improvements:With Google Earth 6, the tour recording feature has been improved in several ways. The tour recorder now incorporates the activation of Sunlight, Street View, and Historical Imagery modes into the recorded tour. Additionally, the quality of the recording has been significantly improved, including better motion fidelity and better synchronization with sound recording.
  • Earth on Windows 2000:We are discontinuing support for Google Earth builds that work on Windows 2000. Users of Windows 2000 can still use the Google Earth 5.2 version.
  • Issues Fixed:
  • Addressed issues related to slow internal browser and balloon performance
  • Addressed issues related to broken images in balloons seen in Earth 5.2.
  • Google Earth Plug-in and API Changes:
  • Updated API version 1.007
  • New class KmlViewerOptions, to set global render state (Historical Imagery, StreetView, and Sun)
  • Added ability to enable/disable street view in GENavigationControl
  • Added ability to enable/disable automatic transition to ground level view in GEOptions
  • Added ability to enable/disable 3d tree rendering through new layer LAYER_TREES
  • Added altitudeOffset functionality to KmlLinearRing and KmlLineRing. This allows ability to set altitude for all vertices through a single function call.
  • Added ability to enable/disable building selection through mouse input in GEOptions
  • Added ability to enable/disable building highlight through mouse input in GEOptions
  • Added copyAsLookAt() and copyAsCamera() conversion to KmlAbstractView

New in Google Earth 5.2.1.1329 Beta (Jun 15, 2010)

  • Visualize your hiking, biking, and running tracks:
  • Google Earth has always been a great tool for viewing your outdoor activities, whether it be hiking, running, biking, skiing, sailing, or just about any other way you choose to explore the world. With the release of Google Earth 5.0, we added the ability to connect your GPS device directly to Google Earth and import your track. Now, with Google Earth 5.2, we’ve added the ability to view elevation, speed, and other data as a graph directly in Google Earth. Just connect your GPS device to upload your track, and select “View Elevation Profile” from the menu. This will bring up elevation and speed graphs. If your GPS device records additional information such as heart rate or cadence, these will also be available to view in the graph. You can also see statistics such as total elevation, maximum slope, and average speed. You can select a portion of your ride and get statistics for just that section.
  • We’ve also improved the way you can play back your trip. Just click on the time animation button, and relive all those twists and turns in your journey. You can even quickly and easily generate a tour of your trip.
  • Integrated web browser:
  • Google Earth is a “geo-browser” - a great tool for exploring places, businesses, and photos around the globe. However, sometimes when you want more information, you may want to click through to a link to see the full Google Places page for a business, or learn more about a photographer whose photo you really enjoy. In the past, this has required opening a link in an external browser to see the full page. For Google Earth 5.2, we’ve added an embedded browser that lets you browse the full web. Click on a link, and the browser pane slides across the screen. When you want to return to the Earth view, just click the “Back” button and you’re back exploring the world!
  • New improvements to Google Earth Pro:
  • While Google Earth has been downloaded by over 700 million people all around the world, not everyone is aware that we also have a professional version, Google Earth Pro, which gives the powerful tools needed by engineers, real-estate professionals, governments, and others to process and visualize large geographic data sets.
  • Google Earth Pro 5.2 brings new features to our professional users, including
  • Parcel, demographic, and traffic data layers for the US
  • Improved GIS importing
  • Automatic generation of super-overlays for very large image files
  • Automatic regioning of large point and vector data sets
  • Support for MGRS grid system

New in Google Earth 5.1.3533.1731 (May 20, 2010)

  • fixes to icon style heading
  • fixed labels in Pro hi-res printing
  • honor default layer visibility for enterprise databases
  • getKML now allows fetching of arbitrarily long strings of KML (Google Earth API)
  • added https support for enterprise API (Google Earth API)
  • fixed region fade-extent bug
  • fixed issue with placemarks flashing in region-based network links
  • fixed crash-on-exit bug
  • PhotoOverlay now derived from kmlOverlay instead of kmlFeature (kmlPhotoOverlay.getColor() is now working) (Google Earth API)
  • Additionally, with this release the following changes have been made:
  • removal of "beta" label from Google Earth clients

New in Google Earth 4.3.7191 Beta (Apr 17, 2008)

  • Photo-realistic buildings from cities around the world
  • Dawn to dusk views with the Sunlight feature
  • Swoop navigation from outer space to street-level

New in Google Earth 4.3.7191 (May 27, 2008)

  • Navigation controls - Look around, move and zoom into any location
  • Sun and shadows - View animated shadows as they move across the landscape
  • 3D buildings - View hundreds of photo-realistic new buildings in many of the world's cities
  • Imagery date information
  • Support for new language versions
  • Flash videos in placemark balloons (Windows and Macintosh)