Kugelblitz – Mac-Native Google Earth Alternative

The Kugelblitz is a Mac-native Google Earth alternative that presents the Earth and its neighbors as a 3D globe and atlas. With Kugelblitz, users can smoothly fly over the globe, viewing maps and open geodata on real terrain. Imagery, road maps, and topographic maps are integrated seamlessly into the terrain, with buildings represented in 3D.

The software utilizes freely available geodata sourced from OpenStreetMap, hosted on Kugelblitz's own tile server. This ensures users can access data without needing an account or encountering large downloads.

Kugelblitz offers multiple map views, including imagery, road maps, and topographic maps. Users can switch between these views through the title bar or by pressing Shift+Cmd+A. The Library feature allows users to explore directories and geoportals containing map services from around the world, such as aerial images, satellite images, elevation models, and 3D buildings. By selecting "On the Globe," users can access any service simultaneously and add it to their "My Places" list with a single click.

The software supports a variety of input methods, including a SpaceMouse from 3Dconnexion, which functions as a control stick for smooth navigation. Keyboard, trackpad, and mouse inputs are also compatible, allowing for flexible use. Kugelblitz has been developed and tested on a Mac mini with an M1 chip and 16 GB of RAM. The program can be shown on the Vision Pro headset using the "Show on Vision Pro" option in the View menu.

Furthermore, Kugelblitz provides users with the ability to view over 5,000 eclipses spanning the past 5,000 years, along with real-time data on earthquakes, eruptions, tsunamis, and fireballs. All of OpenStreetMap data is included, without downloading or region limitations.