Amazing Tool for 3D Topographic Models: Terrain2STL 🗻🗾

_{Original image of a 3D print I made of Fuji-san using the Terrain2STL Tool, and that was originally posted as a story on Instagram and after as a thread in Twitter.}

My greetings, Popular STEM Community!

This is my first time posting here, so any and all feedback is welcome :)

This post is about an incredible resource for terrain visualization: the Terrain2STL tool! Transform any map in its database into a detailed three-dimensional topographic model, ready for 3D printing. You can check out how Mount Fuji comes to life in the process!

How to Use Terrain2STL

Step 1: Locating Your Area

Visit the official site at jthatch.com/Terrain2STL. Locate the area you want to model either by dragging the virtual map or using latitude and longitude. Utilize the "Center to View" feature to align your view with the chosen coordinates.

Step 2: Model Details

Use the options in "Model Details" to define the width and height of the red rectangle, marked as "Box Width" and "Box Height". The "Box Scaling Factor" and "Box Rotation" adjust the rectangle's proportion and rotation, respectively.

🤓 It's interesting to note that these measurements are in degrees, as we are dealing with partitions of the Earth's latitude and longitude. If the Earth were flat, we'd use a different measurement system, but we can all agree that that's not the case, right?

Step 3: Vertical Scaling

The "Vertical Scaling" option under "Model Details" sets the vertical scale of the model: the higher the value, the more exaggerated the model's upward distortion. The images show the first model at real vertical scale, the second at 2x, the third at 3x, and the fourth at 4x.

Step 4: Additional Options

Two final options remain: "Water Drop" alters the water level in the model in mm, creating possibilities like in the photo below, where water is added along the Nile River's path; "Base Height" sets the size of the base under the terrain in millimeters.

Step 5: Generating and Downloading the Model

After setting all your desired options, click on "Generate Model". Once ready, a "Download" option will appear to download the STL file, suitable for most 3D printing software. 🌏

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Final Thoughts

What do you think of the tool? Do you have any ideas for using the models?
Contact me if you need help with any projects! ✨

All images used in the post are my own.

If you use the site and like it, why not help the creator keep it running?
Consider it here: https://jthatch.com/support.html

Thanks for reading!

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This is my original content, firstly posted on my Twitter account on November 28, 2023.
Thread available here: https://twitter.com/tutumassola/status/1729658144970739755