US Topgraphic Map

August-November 2025

This is my second 3D printed US topo map. Unlike the first one (below), where I printed each state individually from a set of freely available designs, this was printed as 20 separate tiles that I created in QGIS. I then glued the tiles to the front of a poster frame, creating a sturdier piece than the first version.

Mini topo maps

December 2025-present

Example topographic map of Pikes Peak.
I have also started printing desktop models of geographic features; shown here is Pikes Peak. This piece is approximately 100 x 80 x 45 mm.

Lithophanes (WIP)

December 2025-present

Left: Durham and Chapel Hill.
Right: San Francisco and Oakland.
Lithophanes are thin 3D prints with varying thickness, which when backlit means they show an image. I have started printing lithophanes of the road networks of cities.

3D Printed Topographic Map of Contiguous US

March-October 2021 A 3D printed topographical map of the United States, in blue plastic. This took several months, printing each state individually with a lot of time spent dialing in print settings. Done in PLA with 0.2 mm layer height.