‘@Last Software making its impression on Google Earth

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google is using software created in Boulder to create a 3-D virtual world that can be accessed through Google Earth.

Google SketchUp and 3D Warehouse uses a 3-D graphical/architectural design software application created by @Last Software located on the Pearl Street Mall. Google Inc. bought @Last Software in March.

The free service allows people to go online and use a special version of Sketchup to create details of interiors of buildings found on maps through Google Earth. It also can be used to create architectural renderings of proposed developments to show how they would look in a specific location if they were built.

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The SketchUp plug-in for Google Earth was created by @Last and Google engineers and became available April 27. A beta version had been in use since January and met with favorable results.

“Over time we will be able to build a virtual word,´ said Brad Schell, founder of @Last, who made the announcement by conducting phone interviews with the media from Mountain View, Calif. where Google is headquartered.

Users must have Google Earth and Sketchup plug-ins installed on their computers. Free downloads are available at sketchup.google.com. Schell said users will be able to store and share information in the 3-D warehouse. For example, an iron gatemaker can create a sketch of his gate and upload it to the warehouse. Someone else can use that gate in one of their sketches. Also, the gatemaker could provide information about how to purchase the gate.

Schell said there will be a way to monitor what people create to prevent incorrect or inappropriate submissions.

Megan Quinn, a Google spokeswoman, said the company will address how this free service will “monetize itself” once it is up and running.