To enhance the development experience and Virtual Earth platform options, Microsoft offers tools for customizing Virtual Earth platform experiences.

MapCruncher Beta for Microsoft Virtual Earth

MapCruncher™ Beta for Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ is a newly-released, innovative tool that anyone can use to import and layer maps and share them on a Web site using the Virtual Earth platform. Quickly combine your drawn-to-scale map with the Virtual Earth environment to create a unique, composite view. Supplement existing road and aerial imagery with detailed custom information by easily importing entire maps into the Virtual Earth environment.

MapCruncher Beta for Microsoft Virtual Earth enables organizations to map in context by supplementing Virtual Earth with specialty maps; increases usability by creating visual experiences to meet organizational needs; and allows users to choose how to display the customizations.

Find out more about MapCruncher at the Windows Live Dev site.

Virtual Earth-3DVIA (Technology Preview)

Microsoft Virtual Earth-3DVIA is a newly released application that empowers you to build your own 3D models in the Virtual Earth environment. With Virtual Earth-3DVIA, you can:

• Imagine, create, and share realistic 3D models and place them inside different environments to gain unique perspectives of your creations.
• Import location data to help you learn more about your structure in its real surroundings.

The commercial version, Virtual Earth-3DVIA Premium, will be released in the future.

Find out more about Virtual Earth-3DVIA.