Adjust basemap settings

This product or feature is Experimental (pre-GA). Pre-GA products and features might have limited support, and changes to pre-GA products and features might not be compatible with other pre-GA versions. Pre-GA Offerings are covered by the Google Maps Platform Service Specific Terms. For more information, see the launch stage descriptions.

You can adjust various basemap settings from the basemap panel in the bottom left.

Change basemap type

You can change the basemap type between satellite mode, which shows photorealistic Earth imagery, and map mode, which shows a two-dimensional map without terrain elevation.

1. Open a Google Earth map and select the basemap icon in the bottom left corner to open Basemap settings.
2. In the Basemap settings panel, under Basemap type, select either Satellite or Map.
3. To see an abstract 3D representation, toggle on 3D buildings.

Change basemap level of detail

You can add or remove details, including borders, labels, places, roads, and more. In the basemap panel, under Details, select one of the following options:

• Clean: No borders, labels, places, or roads.
• Exploration: Borders, labels, places, and roads.
• Everything: All borders, labels, places, roads, transit, landmarks, and water.
• Custom: Choose your own look and feel.

Pin commonly used reference projects

You can pin reference projects to your map, so that they are visualized on the map regardless of which project you are working in. Both projects saved in Google Drive and local KML files saved on your device can be pinned as reference projects.

1. In the Basemap settings panel, toggle Reference projects on.
2. Click Manage reference projects to open a list of your reference projects.
3. Select the projects you want to pin to the map, then click Save.

Note: Reference projects are only visible to you, and won't be included if you share a project with others.

Turn on 3D buildings and trees

To show 3D buildings and trees, toggle on 3D buildings in the Basemap settings panel.

Show additional layers

You can access additional details and features such as historical imagery, photos, 3D coverage areas (where 3D buildings are enabled), gridlines, and animated clouds.