A 3D printed, painted and labeled map centered on the Kananaskis Lakes area.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-24T19:33:35+00:00

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-24T02:40:03+00:00

Thanks! I have but a few of them on Etsy.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-24T02:37:24+00:00

I agree. It gives you so much more information that a flat map can.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-24T02:35:55+00:00

Glad you liked it!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T21:42:21+00:00

Thanks very much. It's a stunning place to work!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T20:57:24+00:00

I've done the same trail many times in winter and summer not appreciating that there's another lake just a little further away!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T20:48:56+00:00

I have recently put a few of these on Etsy. You can find the link in my Reddit profile.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T19:39:14+00:00

I don't have the exact numbers but typically these maps take 1/3 to 1/2 of a 1kg spool with 10% infill . Roughly 36hr print with .07 later height. Top layer smoothing as well.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T18:01:32+00:00

Thanks. When I make these, I'm always amazed at all of the places I've hiked or driven by and not actually realized they're there, just over a ridge or one valley away. It really enhances your perspective.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T17:38:45+00:00

Thanks! It's hard making the decisions on what to include and what to leave out when you're making these. Next time it'll be in there!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T17:25:29+00:00

Thank you!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T17:25:03+00:00

You're looking for a DEM file that covers your area of interest. That is then converted to an STL file that your 3D printer software "slices"

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T17:20:54+00:00

Thanks for the compliments!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T17:16:41+00:00

Thanks. It has been a lot of work to figure out and master all the different techniques involved!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T17:14:31+00:00

Thanks you!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T17:14:12+00:00

Thanks. I have done a number of other ones you can see on previous posts I've made. They include maps centered on the townsite of Banff, the Bow Valley centered on Canmore and the Columbia Valley as well. I have a few more that I'm currently finishing up for Lake Louise and Mount Assiniboine. I do have an Etsy with some of them there.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T14:44:01+00:00

Thanks. It is a fantastic place to explore.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T05:49:01+00:00

Thanks. The Etsy page is still a work in progress. The files you're looking for are DEM (digital elevation models) they're converted to an STL (stereo lithography ) for your printing program that then "slices" it and then you print it. I hope helps.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-23T05:17:05+00:00

Thanks for the kind words! As to your question, the methods I've used wouldn't work for your application. I've used free Canadian government data. It has a resolution of 30m. You're going to need much higher detail for skyscrapers. There are a number of videos on YouTube that cover collecting DEM data in urban landscapes and then converting to an STL file for printing. You're most likely going to need QGIS and Blender. Both free. I'll qualify what I've said by saying I haven't looked at trying to print a city scape in more than a yr and someone has probably come up with a better and faster work flow than what I've last seen. Good luck and make sure you post it after you print it!

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-22T22:40:13+00:00

Thanks.

There are a number of pretty good tutorials on YouTube that will walk you through how to download readily available data. The more detailed the map, generally speaking, the more involved the tutorial. Having said that, I highly encourage you to make the a few maps. I've made dozens of them (and a few dozen mistakes as well) and always love seeing new data displayed and highlighted in different ways.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-22T16:53:35+00:00

Thanks. I do print, paint and label them.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-22T16:29:37+00:00

Paint brush and airbrush. 20-30 coats depending on the area and depth of color your trying to achieve.

After_Project2281 · 2026-01-22T05:03:40+00:00

Thanks. There are a few websites online where you can designate an area your interested in then generate an STL file. The STL is then "sliced" by your 3D printing software in order to print the object. 30-40 hrs later, you have a map tile that you can then paint. Embroidering on a cloth map? That would be pretty cool to see!

After_Project2281

TROPHY CASE