Earth surface terrain as 3D print - Meran South Tyrol

prusaprinters

<h4>Printing parts of the earth surface is very easy!</h4><p>Seeing terrain on a 2D map is one thing, it does not really help our brain to imagine the real topography of the terrain. Looking at terrain in 3D viewer software, like Google Earth, is much better already to create a realistic image in our head. But the best for us human beings is still to hold something in our hand, touch it, and look at it from all sides.</p><p>That is why I find it personally very helpful that there are a number of websites, that allow to pick a part of this world on a map, then download the terrain as .stl file. I have added a few links below, but I am sure there are many more. Please feel free to add more links in the comments below. (I am not associated with any of them and I cannot guarantee for their services in any way.)</p><p>For printing such files I have come to the conclusion that printing them flat on the print bed does not result in a nicely printed surface. But to print them on the side, on a high quality printer like the Prusa Mk3S, results in superb models that are a pleasure to pass around.&nbsp;</p><p>The specific example in the publication is the most beautiful area around the city of Meran in South Tyrol. I was there a few days ago on vacation (and can highly recommend it for it's stunning mountain views). Having a hard time to imagine the terrain completely, I picked this place for the print in the cover picture.&nbsp;</p><p>I hope I could create some awareness for this cool option that we printers have. Whenever we want a better mental image of the terrain around us, we can simply create a physical model very easily.</p><p>Links:</p><p><a href="https://map2stl.com/">https://map2stl.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://jthatch.com/Terrain2STL/">https://jthatch.com/Terrain2STL/</a></p><p><a href="https://touchterrain.geol.iastate.edu/">https://touchterrain.geol.iastate.edu/</a></p><p>Happy printing!</p><p>&nbsp;</p>