Mapping with 3D printing Terrain models A 3D terrain model (without buildings) can be obtained simply and for free with the Terrain2STL web application. Find a place on the map. Rugged terrain works the best. On the Location tab, press Center to View. This will show a selection rectangle on the map. On the Model Details tab, adjust the size of the selected area by moving the Box Size slider. The selection can be moved in the map. However, keep in mind that the resulting model will differ from reality. On the Water and Base Settings tab, set the desired model base height. Press the Generate Model button. Then click the Download button and download the model. Model Shape Let’s take a look at how to work with some more complex shapes. Naturally, one of the basic ideas is to use borders of existing countries. A good start is to successfully obtain the STL terrain model from the previous step. How to do it: Find and download the desired shape in .SVG format. Ideally, it should be on a white or transparent background. Using Tinkercad create a new design. Create a solid block that stretches across the entire Workplane. Import the downloaded .SVG file with the shape using the Import button in the top right corner. When the import is complete, the image is automatically converted to a 3D object. Change the shape type to “Hole“. Click the object with the right mouse button and first adjust its height in the Z-axis so that it is higher than the block. Then, adjust the size of the model by dragging any corner to fit the block. To keep the aspect ratio hold the Shift key. Select both objects and group them together with the group button. This will “cut “ the terrain. Import the terrain model. Adjust the size of the terrain model and place it in the right place in relation to the carved shape.Deselect the selection of objects by pressing the mouse outside the print area. Export the object using the Export button in the top right corner into a .STL format. The model is now ready to be sliced. City model of the Czech Republic with terrain Model with Buildings Open CADMAPPER tool in the browser and click Create a map. Select the desired area up to 1 km² (or larger and buy the model). Select the output format for Autodesk or .dxf file. Include Topography and 3D Buildings in the output model and choose the height of buildings for which the height in the map is not defined. Press the Create button to start generating. Press the Download button to download a generated zip file that contains the .dxf file. Prepare SketchUp and install Eneroth Terrain Volume extension The downloaded file is not yet fully prepared for slicing. What we need to do is to create an object under the terrain. In addition, we can simply change the height of buildings in this tool, especially those that have a default value from CADMAPPER. We will use SketchUp Pro for editing, which is free to download in the trial version. Eneroth Terrain Volume extension is useful when you want to create a solid object under the terrain easily. Download this extension as well. Add extensions using the Window -> Extension Manager. Press the Install Extension button and select the downloaded file from the previous step. Now we have everything ready and we can start editing the model. Run SketchUp, open the downloaded file from CADMAPPER (File -> Open). On the right side of the application window, expand the Layers section and remove all layers except buildings, topography and Layer0. Press the “Delete content” icon. The content of the deleted layers is not easily printable, that’s why we’re deleting them. However, you can play around with the content of deleted layers and see if something interesting comes out of it – we won’t be using them in our guide, though. English 3. Click anywhere on the terrain to select it. In the top menu of the app select Extensions menu -> Eneroth Terrain Volume. This solid object under the terrain. creates a If you want to change the height of the base or buildings, you must explode the model (select the whole model, right mouse button, Explode option), and then the Push / Pull tool to increase or decrease the height of the buildings or the base under the model. Export the model using File -> Export -> 3D Model. The file is now ready for 3D printing. Open it in the Slic3r PE and adjust the size to fit the print area. For an area of 1 km², the approximately square shape of the model is reduced to about 20% of the original size. So we get the model on a scale of cca 1: 5000. We recommend a PLA material and a layer height 0.15mm. 1:5000 Log English 1:2500 1:1000 Download link: Prague Castle area on PrusaPrinters Preparing the model for printing and correct orientation Use Slic3r PE or your favorite slicer tool to generate the gcode file. Terrain models with at least one straight edge can be printed in two ways, either horizontally or vertically. Each of these orientations has its pros and cons and for each model, it is necessary to Log decide which orientation to choose. Let’s look at the main differences. The horizontal position English This position is natural in the real world. In this position, we are able to print almost any model. In the Z-axis, however, we are limited by the layer. The lowest height of the extruded material is about 0.05mm and the most commonly used height of the nozzle diameter is 0.4mm. The relatively large diameter of the nozzle alone causes “drops” on the peaks. The nozzle diameter also affects edge sharpness. We recommend selecting a layer height of 0.15mm and a 15% to 20% infill. Pros: you can print almost any model there are horizontal lines on the model that represent contour lines (some may consider this a con) Cons: infill is necessary (longer printing time) drops on peaks there may be strings between the peaks/buildings The vertical position In the vertical position, the biggest advantage is that no “drops” of material on the peaks will be created, and the peaks will be smoother. This makes the surface more detailed and looks much better. The vertical orientation is suitable for models where there are no areas that make an angle with the print area less than about 45°. Supports for such models is not a solution we would recommend. Vertical orientation is also not suitable for printing city-building models, because almost every building would have a perimeter wall parallel to the print surface and therefore the model would be non-printable without supports. With vertical orientation, it is advisable to choose the most suitable area on which the model will be placed. Choose the one that will touch the bed with the largest possible area. Use the Place on the face button to rotate the model. We recommend selecting a layer height of 0.15mm and a 0% infill. Infill is not needed in most cases. The printing time will be almost half and you save some material. For best results, use PLA filament. Pros: print without support and infill there is no stringing between peaks the terrain looks smoother than the horizontal print position Cons: Log English can not be used to print city models there’s a chance that it will become loose and that the print will fail The difference of print in horizontal and vertical orientation is shown in the pictures below. Our tips for color models: Use ColorPrint to change the color of the filament depending on the altitude. Learn how to use ColorPrint in this article. Print the model with a single filament and paint it afterward. It depends only on your imagination. If you already have Original Prusa Multi Material Upgrade 2.0, you can try to create a color model to distinguish terrain, buildings, waterways and roads. Log English Feel free to experiment, try various changes and edits, and don’t forget to share the results in our forum. Related articles The Prusacaster – How to Design and 3D Print an Electric Guitar that plays well <$150 Upgrade your livestock: 3D printed accessories for chickens, bees, cows, horses and more! Mechanical Marvels Contest Winners Previous post Next post 19 Replies to “How to print maps, terrains and landscapes on a 3D printer” ken tompkins for the map in your article. Any ideas on how that might be done? Kai Hello Ken, I did that by using the Microsoft 3d Builder´s import feature. For my requirement it did a great Job. Log Log in to Reply English Komalsingh01 says: Log in to Reply Ignacio says: you recommend when printing buildings and cities? Ignacio Echeverría says: Hugo says: May 23, 2019 at 10:30 I would like to thank you for the Great article, but I have a question, please, thank you Log in to Reply Log pepino.zvon says: Hi, when I try to build volume in SketchUP by using: Extensions menu -> Eneroth Terrain Volume. It did nothing. I tried to choose one object or all map but it didnt help me. Do you where can be the problem? Thanks Per Haglund says: English Thanks for the article. I was given a model (.obj) with terrain and buildings, extracted from a GIS system called CityEngine. It had no could use Microsoft 3D Builder to make it printable, using Edit -> Extract down to solve all of the above issues. Log in to Reply jollystark29 says: printing maps, terrains and landscape in 3D printing is much needed for travelers especially because it gives a clear view of any places in a map. in geographical purpose, it has a massive use. h Log in to Reply kadamson40 says: I’ve been trying to get a couple of 3d townscapes printed through an agency. In both cases the agency identifies issues with non-manifold edges, boundary edges and intersecting faces. The problem seems to be the junction between the building and the base, and between the pitched roofs and the buildings (which are flat-topped 3d solids). Nevertheless my first model printed almost perfectly. My second one is on a stepped and landscaped base and has jtturner6 says: Log Sasaki says: Cool Log in to Reply March 18, 2021 at 23:08 I would like to 3D print a model of a golf hole to show the end result of a renovation. The problam is I only have a hand drawn proposed English topographical map of the planned layout. What is the best way to create a 3D printiable file in this situation? Log in to Reply MakerPat says: is it possible to also include the roads in the exported STL ? Log in to Reply ChelseaHahn says: I am new to 3D printing and I also thought ‘I cannot imagine what would I use it for’ first. Now I want to create a 3D map of Australia as I live and work here I am a freelance writer at like geography very much! Your post inspired me to try my best with maps! Thanks! bengadget says: Is there a way to create the city scape with either SketchUp web, or Fusion 360? Log in to Reply Fil The April 4, 2022 at 20:46 The world of technology is developing every day and I really like to for many, and that I am not the only one who likes to follow the world of technology. I want to recommend an excellent application called The Log application will help you choose the ideal lighting temperature for the room, and it’s very cool. English Log in to Reply GregB says: Is this up to date? 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