My Google Map Blog

In honor of Veterans Day in the United States this Sunday, we encourage you to use a handful of tools that Google has created to help recognize those people that served their country over the years. As part of their GoogleForVeterans.com site, Google encourages Veterans to create a custom map to show their family where they served during their career.

Google has also created some amazing tours using a feature called "TourBuilder". It's not yet available to everyone, but they're hoping to launch it soon. In the meantime, check it out and watch some of the great demos available on there.

While that's not yet available, the Google Earth Diorama and Meograph are similar options that you can use today.

If you know of any other great geo-related resources to help honor Veterans, please share them in the comments below.

Three years ago we showed you a way to have a 3D print of your 3D model made by a company and shipped to you. We've also shown you a few other neat 3D model-related tools, such as a way to have a virtual 3D building appear on your desktop through some clever augmented reality.

With the rapid growth of 3D printing in the past few years, it seems likely that more people would want to try printing out their own 3D models. If you'd like to be able to hold your model in your hand, the folks at Instructables have written a tutorial on how to convert a Google Earth model to Makerbot. The instructions also work if you'd like to get your model printed from a service such as Shapeways, Ponoko or TechShop.

The process will require SketchUp and Replicator G, both of which are free downloads. Google Earth is also helpful for this process, but not required. To get started, check out the full post on Instructables. If you print any of these yourself, please send us a picture so we can see how they came out!