No secrets unfortunately. I just pulled up Google Earth, figured out the correct view height to get the proper scale for me (about 1250'), and then "Print Screen" and pasted into Word. Nothing else was done. I used 11/2005 for the area I'm modeling because it had the sharpest images and still had some of the track in place. I had these printed at Office Depot in black and white on standard 11"x17" paper.
Though there's probably an easier way, to figure out the scale I calculated how many Google Earth feet would match my 12" wide benchwork, then used an actual ruler on the screen to figure it out. lol Once you figure out the view height you are good to go. I use the Ruler tool to actually draw the 160 scale foot width on the screen as a guide for cutting out the picture once it's printed. Works for me well enough.
It was definitely worth the $7.00 or so to get them printed (like 27 sheets total allowing for plenty of overlap and so forth). They really do allow you to not only visualize (which is awesome) but actually plan out to scale. It's funny how well it's worked out matching up the prototype scenes with my actual train room dimensions.
With this particular spur, one interesting part that I had not been able to include was two blocks of street running through a neighborhood just north of I-17. It didn't bother me because there's always things that get cut. However, by having these prints I was able to play around with the middle section and am now thinking I might be able to include a short block or so of street running. Unfortunately, in my haste to print another bunch of sections of that area today to play around with, I neglected to format the paper to 11"x17". Office Depot took my $7.00 then promptly printed two batches that didn't turn out - my error. I needed to get to work so just left without my money or my copies. Ugh. Oh well - something to play around with for another day.
-Dave
