Magnetic Topo Maps

3D Printed Topographic Lake Maps

I've made 3D topographic maps in the past but the process for it was long and boring. Part of the problem was that the map I made, covered so much ground. When I was brainstorming ideas of products to sell at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, I realized I could use the skills I acquired from my topographic map project, to make a smaller bathymetry maps of Minneapolis' Chain of Lakes. I made the design the same way-- by using Illustrator to trace maps I found from the Minnesota DNR. I then converted these files to 3D models in Bambu Studio and I printed them out with my 3D printer.

Design Process

I began by sourcing lake maps from Minnesota's DNR online resources and various fishing maps I found. This is the map for Bde Maka Ska.

This is my first map prototype model for Bde Maka Ska.

This is the final 3D model for Bde Maka Ska.

From left to right shows the progression of the model from prototyping to final design.

This is what the back the design looks like. These maps stand on their own but they also have magnets inside so they can be displayed on metal surfaces.