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Google 3D Warehouse is a free online repository for 3D models and content and the plug-in will enable this content to be placed, manipulated and used in composites with the new 3D tools in Photoshop CS3 Extended.

The content is generated by users of the SketchUp application that Google acquired

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in March 2006 and has since made freely available. Models include buildings, houses, bridges, statues, sculptures, couches, cars, people, pets and more and if the model has a location on earth, such as a building in New York city, it can also be downloaded and viewed it in Google Earth.

Models are downloaded by Photoshop Extended in the COLLADA format which can then be opened as 3D layers so that users can then access the textures applied to model surfaces for editing.

Kevin Connor, senior director of product management for Digital Imaging Professional Products at Adobe said that the plug-in should enable Photoshop Extended users to more easily realise their vision in 3D.

'Our work with Google brings 3D content directly into the Photoshop CS3 Extended experience, enabling more efficient editing and enriching the overall visualisation process,' he said.

The plug-in is available from Adobe Labs at labs.adobe.com .