Microsoft to Add Terrain Data to 3D Maps

Microsoft has teamed up with Intermap to give its 3-D maps in Great Britain a more realistic look through the use of the company's elevation data. Maps are also in the works for Western Europe and the continental US.

Data for the remainder of Western Europe is scheduled for completion by the end of this year, with data for the US coming by the end of 2008. It will help Microsoft to better align and place objects "without distortion or undulation," it says.

Intermap said Microsoft's addition of its product into the Live Search Maps experience is a fundamental change for the industry, the Redmond company agrees.

"Having Intermap's highly accurate and reliable foundation layer under our imagery and building models allows us to provide one of the most accurate viewing experiences on the Internet today." Virtual Earth product management director Aric Weiker said.

The UK data covers England, Scotland, and Wales, Microsoft says.

Microsoft had also recently launched another 3D effort back in November of last year. Virtual Earth 3D allows the user to fly through three-dimensional models of various cities worldwide, including some UK cities.

It was not immediately clear if the terrain technology would be incorporated into this feature as well.