Google has just added a 3D aerial route preview feature to its google maps product.

With this new feature, Google Maps users can now fly alongside routes to get a birds eye view of location (directions) while planning road trips, hiking trips, biking excursions or the normal city commutes.

The new Google Map 3D preview option — this process is informally referred to as “helicopter view”.

This new one works in a simple way whereby the user simply enter into the search box, the start, the mid and the endpoint destinations to get directions as usual, and immediately, the new 3D play button will appear closer to the returned directions.

According to Google Maps engineer, Paul Yang, he said in a blog post “that the new map will immediately switch to Earth view and automatically start flying you along your recommended route.”

Users can also pause the 3D preview by poking about off-route areas, all the while remaining in the 3D Earth view. They also can return to the standard two-dimensional view by clicking on the 2D button in the left-hand directions panel.

The 3D route previews, at first glance, appear to mash up the new Google Earth and makes the Google Maps experiences an exciting one.

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