Adobe taps into Google 3D Warehouse

Adobe is pushing Photoshop CS3 Extended into the 3D sphere by rolling out a new plug-in for Google's 3D Warehouse. 

Photoshop users will be able to access Google's public 3D archive to download, convert, and edit user-created 3D models from within Photoshop.

The free plug-in could give users the ability to take content previously generated by other applications or users and fine-tune the models with Photoshop's image-editing tools.

The 3D models could then be saved to a local disk or resubmitted to the 3D Warehouse via Google's SketchUp application. Users can also submit 3D models of buildings for inclusion in Google Earth's 3D city-modelling projects. 

Adobe hopes that the plug-in will broaden the appeal of Photoshop CS3 Extended to professionals such as architects and engineers who seek to embed 3D models in a map setting.

The 3D-enabled Extended version of Photoshop is Adobe's effort to spread the image-editing application to a wider professional audience.  

"Photoshop CS3 Extended was developed to help professionals push the limits of digital imaging and more easily realise their vision in 3D," said Kevin Connor, senior director of product management for digital imaging professional products at Adobe.

"It is great to see Google's early support for Photoshop CS3 Extended."

Users can download the plug-in from the Adobe Labs website.